Getting into a groove
Getting into a groove is a positive spin on routine.
Stuck in a rut it the negative sentiment towards routine.
It seems we always find ourselves in a routine positive or negative. And grooves always end up becoming ruts that we need to get unstuck from.
I was in my groove-rut before getting ill, and the illness got me unstuck from both. I know it might take me awhile to get into full groove again, as I do so, I’ll let you know how I’m doing.
My general aim is to get all my important work done in the morning, and definitely not leave any of it over till the evening. Ideally, In the studio by 4am and done with the most important work by 12. The rest of the time will be spent developing what I call Intellectual Capital until I leave the studio say at 4 -6pm (there’s a lot of variation to this, but this is the aim)
So to get back into that groove, the first step is:
Have an evening routine
How do you tell yourself the day is done and move away from work mode and into home mode, especially if you’re working from home.
This is what I tell myself:
Get out of the studio
Leave your phone in the studio
Go for a walk
Have a hot caffeine free beverage (honey lemon is the go to)
Play with your kid
Do Pilates with the family
Read as a family. (We’re in the process of turning one of our rooms into a reading room)
Adjust the lighting to a comfortable ambient dimness
Sleep or at least lie in bed and be comfortable
Everyone needs their own routines for their own situation, but having some kind of evening routine, that cut’s off the work day, and puts you into bed in a relaxed state is really the first routine to have. It’s really hard to start a morning routine without a good evening routine, because a bad evening will routine the best intentioned morning routine.
We even have a family default policy to say no to any dinner invitations!
Again there are exceptions, but exceptions are what make any routine bearable.
What’s your evening routine?
Is it an evening groove or evening rut? What do you love about it, what would you like to improve? Tell us about it!
This is such an important topic! Before February, I had what was feeling like the perfect routine. Many ideas were coming in the morning. I had energy, motivation, etc. Then, COVID stroke twice. First time for my younger daughter and me, a month later with my older daughter. Both time, we kept our kids at home so the virus doesn't spread among their classmates. Two months later, I haven't got back on track with a routine that works. I tried to get back to where I was. It just doesn't work anymore! So, I realized those two COVID episodes got me tired. I have to create a new routine that focus on refilling my creative energy rather than on starting new project and creating new materials... So, what looks like at a time like the perfect routine doesn't always work and have to be adapted to our state of mind and our level of energy! At the moment, as an evening routine, I like to take an hour-walk alone and then sketch in front of a Netflix serie. ;)
Indeed!