For some reason, growing up, my closest friends were always night owls. They never wanted to go to sleep before midnight. When we had sleepovers, as teenagers, it was great. Until the morning, when I was wide awake in my sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling, sometimes waiting hours for them to wake up.
I have always been a morning person.
I am my best in the morning. I’m the most rested. My brain is clear. And, as a writer, I find the words flow more easily before lunchtime. But this last part, took me a while to figure out.
When I first decided to seriously pursue writing, I listened to dozens of interviews in which writers talked about their writing routines. Quite a few shared that they write best at five in the morning. So I tried it.
For a few weeks, I set my alarm and woke up when the sky was still dark. I sat alone in the chair in our living room with my laptop and a single light on. And eventually, the words came. More words than I even knew I had. But there was one problem:
For the rest of the day I was exhausted.
The rhythms of these other writers, didn’t fit me. Though I am a morning person, getting up that early made me less productive in my daily life. Trying on their creative habits was helpful in that it showed me I had words to write. But it also reminded me when it comes to routines, one size doesn’t fit all.
The problem with writing about routines—and even sharing my own—is it can come across as if there is one way to live a life of intention.
For the past month, here on the blog, we’ve been talking about the importance of weekly and daily habits in our lives. Practices that help us find physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Routines as simple as going to bed early, moving our body regularly, taking time to pray, etc. Only, the problem with writing about routines—and even sharing my own—is it can come across as if there is one way to live a life of intention. That somehow, your life should look like mine, or vice versa.
But just as my sleeping habits were quite different from my childhood friends, we are all physically and mentally wired differently. What brings life to me, may not bring life to you. Running may make you feel strong, while it could give me an asthma attack. Writing at five in the morning allows some writers to both write books and be there for their family during the rest of the day. For me, I can get up a little later and still get my words onto the page.
God made us unique. Even when it comes to the two most important commandments He gave us in the Bible—love Him, love others—He doesn’t give us specifics.
In our world today, there are endless voices telling us to eat and exercise a certain way. To follow “these rules” when it comes to our time online or watching TV. To worship or connect with God in the way that works for our parents, pastor, or friends. Yet each of us are so different. God made us unique. Even when it comes to the two most important commandments He gave us in the Bible—love Him, love others—He doesn’t give us specifics. In other words, there is so much freedom when it comes to living intentionally.
We don’t need to spend our lives trying to squeeze other people’s routines into our schedule.
Our routines and habits should reflect the way God made us, and the life he has given us. We don’t need to spend our lives trying to squeeze other people’s routines into our schedule. Nor should we feel guilty if we’re not doing all it appears others are doing in their lives. Your daily and weekly habits should work for you, not the other way around.
What do you know about yourself that will help you form healthy habits that truly fit you?
Where have you felt guilty for not having the routines “everyone else” seems to have?
If you want more help in finding your rhythm when it comes to routines–or just a friend for this crazy journey called life–sign up for my email list today and receive two extra posts and other fun resources in your inbox every month! Sign up here and also receive my free resource on creating space in our lives for what is most important.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
