Missing Cuts & Daily Ruts
April’s email was all about routines. More specifically, it was about my own personal routine and how it’s helped me shift the course of my days, increase productivity, and reach my goals. And then April 30th came…and went…and the carefully crafted email espousing the value of routines languished undelivered in my outbox, mocking me.
We glamorize routines — all laid out in aesthetic beige on TikTok feeds — the early risers, the gym-goers, the meditators, the cold plungers. But routine is still vanilla, no matter how you repackage it. After a period of time, the novelty wears thin and it can feel bland, chore-like. That romanticized *~My Morning Routine~* suddenly becomes my.morning.rut.
As April gave way to May, I found myself mired in a groove of my own design — rise before the sun, 3-mins. cold water, gym, 10-mins. morning sunlight, 5-mins. free write — and I was dreading every minute of it. These hard-earned habits that had once lit a fire inside me felt extinguished, and it was all I could do to keep going through the motions hollowly.
So I decided against harping on about my own routine, but I wanted to say that I think that it’s supposed to be like this (I’m 88% sure). Life isn’t meant to feel refreshing and vibrant and full of promise all of the time, and there’s no unique blend of self-priming that will distill you into optimal human-mode 100% day in and day out.
We know this. And yet we still take on a state of bafflement when the slumps arrive. (At least I do.) It’s normal, all of it.
Routine is the familiar rhythm of a well-trodden path, a comfortable groove that guides us like a familiar tune, playing on repeat, leading us through the day's symphony. And when the days lose their magic, it becomes a muddy, furrowed road. However, if we cultivate a routine that felt like a honeymoon in those early days, I think maybe we’re meant stay the course. Meant to plod along the path anyway, even when it feels phoned-in and listless. Those magic days will come again and ultimately, it's the repetition and consistency of our routines that create the path forward in the first place. We’ve worked too hard to lose the way now. Keep going. It will get easier. And then it will get harder and then it will get easier and then…in perpetuity.
“You will do well to cultivate the resources in yourself that bring you happiness outside of success or failure. The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive. At that time, we turn around and say, yes, this is obviously where I was going all along. It's a good idea to try to enjoy the scenery on the detours, because you'll probably take a few.”
— Bill Watterson
Books I'm reading:
Enchantment: Awakening Wonder In An Anxious Age by Katherine May, nonfiction (I cannot recommend this book enough and I am only halfway through.)
Stealing Time by Jenny Odell, nonfiction
The Insect Crisis by Oliver Milman, nonfiction (I strongly URGE you to read this book. We hear so much about the loss of plant & animal biodiversity but insects are the strings that hold this whole hootin’ world together and those strings are disappearing at hella alarming numbers. Must read. Promise me.)
Let’s Take A Walk by Win Carter, nonfiction
Place we've been exploring: Notchview Reservation, Windsor
Something that's giving me pause: Bees Teach Their Babies How To Dance
May’s Playlist >> Vernal Vibes
Current Obsessions:
Shaving my face! Dermaplaning is the fancy term, but it’s really just scraping thee old whiskers.
Icelandic Provisions Extra Creamy Skyr Yogurt
Celsius On-the-Go Drink Powder (Ikik, but I will not stop.)
Bidding (and losing) on emo band tees on Ebay (And they’re SO expensive! Why did I get rid of all mine, why?!)
(**heads up! the amazon stuff I receive a kickback from if you buy from my link & it doesn’t cost you a cent more.)
Stay in motion,
Tay
Upcoming Hikes/Events:
Nature Inspired Cookie Decorating Class: Edible paint, wafer paper leaves, and take home cookies?! Come paint your own sugar cookies inspired by objects in your backyard. Each student will take home 6 of their own painted sugar cookies. Saturday, May 6th at 10 a.m., Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Great Barrington.
Family Spring Wildflower Hike & Seek: The wildflowers are blooming! Come enjoy all the colors of spring on this family-friendly hike around Wild Acres in Pittsfield. We will discover the unique colors, shapes and blossoms of native species. Participants should dress for the weather and are encouraged to bring a camera, plenty of water, and sunscreen. Attending participants will be automatically entered into a giveaway for a chance to win some spring goodies. Sunday, May 7th at 10 a.m., Wild Acres, Pittsfield.
Let’s Hike! with South Berkshire Kids: Join us for a parent/child hike! We will explore and observe nature during this outdoor classroom style program. Learn a few tips on how to hike with children! This is a registered program only and spots are limited, so email Jess at southberkshirekids@gmail.com with the number of children and adults that would like to attend. Thursday, May 11th and 25th at 10 a.m., Parsons Marsh, Lenox.
National Trails Day Family Hike: Join BNRC and Berkshire Family Hikes for a child-led hike along with an interactive kid-friendly Leave No Trace discussion. Kids will be encouraged to think about how special natural environments are to them and think about responsible actions to help protect the outdoors. Sunday, June 4th at 11 a.m., The Boulders Reserve, Pittsfield.