“We are what we repeatedly do…” ~maybe Aristotle, maybe not
Depending on who you ask, of course. It could also be Shaquille O’Neal (you know, the retired NBA player?) if the internets are to be believed. Ha.
Anyway, on to what I intended to write about today – rather than Shaq – what I do almost every day, and what I rarely if ever do.
I have written frequently that I am a creature of habit. Routine makes my life so much easier, and it runs so much more smoothly. I do some things nearly every day – the exceptions are usually when I am traveling or sick (as I was this fall).
So what do I do every day?
- Exercise. I cannot get my brain going in the morning without moving my body. This was the biggest challenge with my prolonged illness this fall. I did not have the energy to even do simple exercises. This was so, so hard. I started back as soon as I could. Even some small movement – a short walk, a bit of stretching – helps.
- Drink tea. I drink tea in the morning, then switch to seltzer for most of the rest of the day. Herbal to start, then a few cups of caffeinated. I return to the herbal in the evening.
- Make my bed. Always.
- Read. I read for fun, always, in the last hour of my day. I read the paper. I read extensively for my work. I read. All. The. Time. But the game changer in my life has been reading for fun again. It makes my whole day end on a good note, no matter how much of a mess it was.
- Shower twice. This is a long-standing habit from my days of shift work and bedside nursing. I shower in the morning, post-gym, and then again at night. Now, it’s more about raising my core body temperature (part of my chronic condition) and loosening my muscles so I can sleep. My parents do this too.
- Email my parents. Almost every day – unless I am with them! We check in. It’s our way of staying close despite the distance.
And now I have to get to work, so will come back to the things I rarely, if ever, do tomorrow.