I like predictability. A lot.
I think it has to do with having a father who was very prompt (to the minute!) and who is a master at organizing tasks at home and work. So I like to plan too, and while I’m flexible to accomodate last minute changes, I find comfort in things that run like clockwork.
But the past few months have been crazy, to say the least. I was travelling almost every week! In between work, to going out of town for a weekend with out of town friends; from weddings to a family holiday (our last one was in 2007!) – the list seemed endless.
But here’s the thing. I learned that in between all this mad rushing about, my mind was fresher than ever. It probably had to do with me being caught off guard in situations where time management was crucial, so my brain was always spinning! This break from my normal routine made me flexible enough to accomodate surprises, and it also made me plan ahead. Way, way ahead.
Because of this break in my routine, I noticed that I find inspirations in the most unlikely of situations. I have been sketching profusely and inking down thoughts and ideas for next year (already with a to-do list to boot) – and it’s all because I was forced out of my comfort zone. Random walking trips turned into power walks, where everything I saw connected with things inside my mind that I was struggling to understand. A walk through an old bookstore yielded new ideas for patterns and illustrations. A chat with a friend turned into an internal brainstorming pow-wow session that cleared the fog that had lingered in my mind for too long. The list goes on and on.
So take a break from the norm and challenge yourself – deviate away from the daily patterns and path you know so well once in a while. You might just be pleasantly surprised at where you’ll end up at.
As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge.
~ Henry Van Dyke
Happy Monday folks!
{Image credit // Original source: unknown; Spotted via A mouth like a sailor}
This is great advice Amy. I like predictability as well. I always say I’m OK with change but I need a few minutes to adjust. But I like where you are going with this, something to consider 🙂
Thank you for this. This has been a great reminder and already my head is spinning with all the possibilities!
thanks for this reminder! I agree that inspiration can pop up… routine can get boring… but I also tend to stick to predictability… it’s safe and comfy.
Amy! What a great post. This was actually on my mind and something I have been thinking of writing about as well. I’m such a stickler for my own routine, which involves getting up early at 4, writing, yoga, art, etc. All good stuff. Then recently my son got sick (nothing serious!) and needed to sleep in bed with his mommy…I ended up forgoing my routine for awhile, which I thought I so needed to be productive, to snuggle him well into the morning.
A little thing like this helped me realize that I need to remember that life has many gifts for me past my routine.
great post! this idea is quite apt for a time when holiday craft show prep gets you crazy! i feel like i constantly have to do something productive, but it makes me move faster than normal which is a change from my plodding routine. soon i’ll be on vacation for thanksgiving which will be a change from my “new” routine. i think i’ll use the time to read and reply to letters and do all things slow that i normally don’t do these days.
So true , Amy ! I find I always lack inspiration when I’m caught up in my daily schedule which requires a lot of left-brained thinking. It’s when you let go, that you start to get the right brain going and from thereon flows the inspiration and creativity !
your advice posts are really great Amy… I think you must be a “pocket rocket”! thankyou! xxx veronica