Switch it up
If you're the routine type, this message is for you.
I like some structure to my day. I thrive when my days consist of a fairly organized set of activities and tasks - yes, I count napping as an activity -I make checklists and take my gummy vitamins in the same order every time. But if you get a chance to shake up your schedule every once in a while, I promise you won't break. You might actually find it gives you a much-needed boost of motivational serotonin.
Your body and mind are getting bored. If you don't occasionally push them beyond their daily parameters, they aren't going to get any stronger. Sometimes I go 48- hours without leaving my house. Sure, I have everything I need inside these walls, but I'm neglecting the part of myself that needs vitamin D and human interaction. Coffee shops can be noisy, but working there instead of from my couch forces me to breathe in some of that delicious espresso air, sit with my back straight, and take in the buzz of other people going about their day. My coffee maker is great, but there is nothing quite like a handcrafted pistachio latte made with freshly roasted beans and a pretty little foam swirl design on top. I just can't get that kind of quality and service at home. These are the perks of breaking up your routine; they come caffeinated if that's your thing.
Every year, I work a week-long event that tests the limits of how many hours straight I can wear this prosthetic leg and how early I can wake up and be alert enough to function. The first day is always a little rough, but honestly, I love it. It keeps me on my toes - the five I have left - and resets my internal clock in the best way. When I get home from the week, my dog loves me a little extra, and I have new plans and ideas for how my work week should flow.
The lesson here is: Don't turn down opportunities to switch things up and push yourself. You can do so much more adapting than you realize, and your regular routine will still be there when you get back—that is, if you still want it. Even the Macro Data Refinement Team at Lumen (Severance reference) has been able to stir the pot and disrupt their routine for the better. Please, no spoilers; I'm an episode behind.
