I met a woman this summer who told me that she had trouble enjoying summer because of the lack of routine. She said she wasn’t sure what to do with herself because she was outside of her normal schedule. That conversation stayed with me for weeks and kept popping into my consciousness. It’s only now, on this first morning of returning to our prevailing household routines that I am understanding why, exactly, her words made such an impression on me: I thought she was crazy.
I couldn’t understand what she was talking about. I love days when we get to wake up and let our moods dictate our activities. To me, the two scariest words in the English language are ‘office job’. Now, don’t misunderstand here, I’m a creature of habit to be sure. If there isn’t a cup of coffee within the first five minutes of my morning, my entire day will be off. And I believe wholeheartedly in the value of certain routines for my kids (stories before bed are crucial for example)—but I’ll be the first to tell you that there’s no rhyme or reason to which ones give me comfort and which ones make me shiver with anxiety.
As much as I love the summer routine of having no routine at all—with each passing day in August, as the sun sets a few moments earlier, there is an anxious undercurrent of knowledge that it’s going to end. That soon, all the going-with-the-flow and doing-what-we-feel is going to give way to alarm clocks and set schedules. Certainly it all has it’s virtues: new beginnings and fresh starts among them. In our religion it’s the season for repenting to those you’ve sinned against and (my interpretation) contemplating your goals for improvement in the current year. All worthy.
This particular autumn brings change for my family. A new school for Jake. A solo trip across the country for Niall and I. More designated working hours for me. Growth and forward movement.
And so I take my anxiety and swallow hard. Step forward into the next season and set that alarm clock.
La shana tova, friend.
Here’s to a year as beautiful as those roses.
I’m torn. I love the extra freedom I get during the school year, but I’m hating the rushed mornings and pressure of doing certain things within a set time frame. aah, the seasons do change.
La shana tova.
I long for routine and then I rebel against it. Oy.
Let’s have coffee next week, if you have a moment.
L’shanah tova!
I think routines can bring their own creativity though – sometimes too much time, too much freedom ends in too much of it passing before anything is settled on. Packing something exciting and unexpected into a routine can be thrilling.
I had never thought of the lack of routine in summer, and the anxiety that might go with that. I love summer, but there is something about coming back into the routine of the year in the fall. Even though I miss the sun terribly, I am ready for the schedule of fall (even though I have a two-year-old and there really is no schedule as of yet). For me it’s knowing that the day is probably going to be crappy and I can have no qualms about sitting inside and nesting – cleaning, cooking, sewing, reading… It all feels acceptable now that autumn is here (at least here in the Pacific Northwest!). Even with my love of summer and autumn, there is always a certain anxiety that comes with the changing of season and upheaval of life. But there is comfort in it, too. …and a cross country trip?! If you’re in the Portland-area, make sure to send me a note!
I know how you feel. I’m grieving the loss to prepare for the rebirth of the new. Trying to not resist routine too hard… Wishing you gentle and productive new season.
nicely stated. wishing you all the best. xx
i LOVE your header!
This is me 100%. I need routine, as much as my child does… Summer coiuld have been over three weeks ago… It’s nice to have the break, I need that just as much when June rolls around, but two months gets me back and motivated… Kids too. If they are used to the routine, summer is a nice break, but then things need to fall back into there rightful places… like all the furniture in my loft….
hugs
I think I might have been Jewish in a former life. (Can I even say that?) September is the new year for me in so many ways. Reflection and goal setting indeed.
And I can empathize with your new friend. I’ve recently left my job and I’m really looking forward to my daughter starting school next week so I can figure out what our routine will be.
Looking forward to hearing about your trip!
Indeed, all of it. Autumn I adore, but it always brings me pause, far more so than silly old New Year’s (ditto, Cheryl. Rosh Hashanah, by proxy?).
Alarms, ahoy, then. And coffee. Good, strong coffee.
With one in school and one in un-school, I experience both sides of the coin. I already long, though, for the unstructured time of August.
The trip sounds good!
I need certain routines or else I just don’t function well. I’ve recently been realizing I need to establish some new ones that will help me feel a bit more motivated and productive. I’m glad fall will be here soon bc that helps establish that kind of mentality…probably having to do with childhood memories of back to school time. I liked this thought provoking post!
I like routines by nature.
I love the consistency of days. Each day has their duty/ event/ chore. September is always the time to start fresh and reset the rhythm.
I love your pictures!! Every season has its flavor. I delight in seeing the changes in the landscape and within my being as it syncs in with nature (hopefully)
After the fire of the Summer, it’s nice to settle into the earth of Fall.
Marjory
Having no routine in summer is also a routine…i think. Funny how what seems perfect for some is terrible for others. Thank goodness for variety!
Which goal of improvement for the comming year did you decide on?
I like September. This year maybe even more than usually. We have a new routine that we’re settling into and my eldest is starting his first year of “real” school. I feel like we’re turning the wheel in some way, I’m just not sure how or where to. Yet. But I like that we’re doing it.
That said, I do find it difficult to live in a country that is dark from October to March. And I brace myself for what’s to come.
Thanks for writing. And thanks for sharing those lovely photos. Happy New Year!
I love your pictures too. Fabulous!
amy ! long time no comment…. but i’ve been here, loving your words and your images and how my life is richer for having “met” you. your portrait project is still on my mind. i so enjoy our “time” together… weird computer time… happy new year cyber friend.
Spring school holidays have just started here in Australia and everyone, from the butcher to the checkout girl at the supermarket are asking me, in a polite-sort-of-sideways-way, whether I am happy it’s school holidays. Yes! Give me a break from that crushing routine of lunchboxes-have you done your piano-cleaned your teeth-got your hat-where’s your bag-come ON it’s 8.30- rush that term brings.
gorgeous photos too.