Every now and again, we’ll find a new thing. An incredible new thing in our lives that fits and betters our experience as human. Like a cheat code in a video game. I unlocked my next game of life cheat recently, and it’s a really simple one. Every day, unless I cannot for a very good reason, I watch the sunset. I simply sit there, after I record my one SnapChat and single photo, and be peaceful while glaring deeply into the setting sun.
I realize that I’m lucky, now living in a place where the sunset is usually visible and the temperature usually comfortable. But the act itself of committing to walking and sitting. Sitting still. Each day. It’s been the habit that’s positive and wanted in my life.
Experiencing the value of the routine is empowering and soothing. Many of us are turned off of the idea, perhaps having been overwhelmed by experiences with routines in large institutional settings that lacked meaning or personality. The word "routine" can be associated with boring actions. But, in all actuality, the routine (your routine) can be one of the more meaningful things in (your) life.
The key to designing meaningful routines is to make them important to your true self. What do you genuinely enjoy? Whatever your answer was should be something you also do as often as possible and consistently. For each time you revisit the action, your brain experiences a grounding happiness that triggers positive thoughts, will calm the mind and make way for clearer thoughts later on.
Skateboarding has been a routine of mine for quite a while. And now that I have enough freedom of time, I created another routine, that I not only look forward to but grow from. It’s not as important that any routine is perfectly designed, especially from the outset. It’s definitely more crucial that there is a routine at all. Over time, you naturally observe what works. And what doesn’t... Experimenting is rad.
I realize that I’m lucky, now living in a place where the sunset is usually visible and the temperature usually comfortable. But the act itself of committing to walking and sitting. Sitting still. Each day. It’s been the habit that’s positive and wanted in my life.
Experiencing the value of the routine is empowering and soothing. Many of us are turned off of the idea, perhaps having been overwhelmed by experiences with routines in large institutional settings that lacked meaning or personality. The word "routine" can be associated with boring actions. But, in all actuality, the routine (your routine) can be one of the more meaningful things in (your) life.
The key to designing meaningful routines is to make them important to your true self. What do you genuinely enjoy? Whatever your answer was should be something you also do as often as possible and consistently. For each time you revisit the action, your brain experiences a grounding happiness that triggers positive thoughts, will calm the mind and make way for clearer thoughts later on.
Skateboarding has been a routine of mine for quite a while. And now that I have enough freedom of time, I created another routine, that I not only look forward to but grow from. It’s not as important that any routine is perfectly designed, especially from the outset. It’s definitely more crucial that there is a routine at all. Over time, you naturally observe what works. And what doesn’t... Experimenting is rad.
So when it is time to leave the house each day and seek the setting sun, I walk through the neighborhood. I weave my way into the campus (of Occidental College), up the meandering hills, past the fresh grass of the perfectly maintained sports fields, onto the dirt trail, and along the winding footpath to the top of the hill.
The sunset for me each day is accompanied by peace, nature, and the new buddies. There’s a small community of people that frequent this specific hill top and provide great conversation & uplifting vibes always. The walk, followed by the sunset, followed by the comradery and tranquility there all contribute to this lovely routine that I’ve luckily fallen into.
If you’re feeling bummed on the routine that you’ve fallen into, it’s the wrong routine. Find one that you can proudly call your ritual, and your life will be much happier for it.
- 7Ply Epic
The sunset for me each day is accompanied by peace, nature, and the new buddies. There’s a small community of people that frequent this specific hill top and provide great conversation & uplifting vibes always. The walk, followed by the sunset, followed by the comradery and tranquility there all contribute to this lovely routine that I’ve luckily fallen into.
If you’re feeling bummed on the routine that you’ve fallen into, it’s the wrong routine. Find one that you can proudly call your ritual, and your life will be much happier for it.
- 7Ply Epic