Word For Word
Ashley Brown 00:00
[Intro] Routines my absolute favorite word, but you either love them or you hate them. And either way, I strongly believe that routines can be a springboard for improving your home, yourself and your life. I'm Ashley Brown. And this is the Routine and Things Podcast. In each episode we'll dive into a specific routine or point of view that will move you closer to enjoy life more and more each day. Trust me, you're gonna want to keep listening, because you're well on your way to getting and staying happy!
Ashley Brown 00:46
Hey, welcome back. I'm so happy that you're joining me today. Alright, so this is a new type of episode that I'm starting, called routines redefined and as you read by the title, I'm going to be answering the question of, are routines rigid? So I want to start this type of episode because sometimes routines get a bad rep and there are some myths out there about routines, and honestly some negative perspectives about routines that I want to be able to dispel. And I want to answer questions and bring a different perspective to really help you understand what a routine is and what the routine is not. And so that's why I'm starting these episodes called routines redefined. So there's more to come.
Ashley Brown 01:32
But today I am answering the question of are routines rigid, because I know some of us think routines are super uptight, super rigid, super restrictive. I'm gonna answer that question for you today. But before we get into answering that question, I do want to give a listener a shout out and give some listeners some love today. And so the listener will be Raging Purlwind, she rated and reviewed the podcast and I'm so appreciative of that. And what she said is, "I'm so excited for this podcast. Ashley has a clear vision and mission to help moms find peace in their home. Her voice is so soothing and understanding. It feels like listening to a close friend give you sound advice and encouragement. I plan on listening while I'm tidying around my home." And so I just want to say thank you so much Raging Purlwind, thank you Rebecca. I know Rebecca personally. So I really, really appreciate you for this. And thank you if you're listening right now I am truly, truly appreciative of any rate and review that I get. So if you haven't done so, please go rate and review the podcast. I would love to shout you out, give you some love. show you some love. And so if you could do that today, that would be much appreciated. But yeah, let's go ahead and get into this episode and answer the question of our routines rigid.
Ashley Brown 02:55
Alright, so first off, let me just answer the question flat out, no routines are not rigid. I don't want to keep you guessing. Routines are not rigid. Let's think about the definition really quick of rigid and what that really means. And so the definition of rigid, I looked it up on Google. So I'm not just going based upon what I know and based upon my definition, but the definition of rigid is not flexible. And I do not believe that routines are rigid. I definitely know that routines are not rigid, because I do not have many rigid routines in my life. And so I know the routines don't have to be rigid. Now they can be let me say that, they can be rigid if you make them that way. But they don't have to be. It's really up to you. Routines can be flexible.
Ashley Brown 03:46
The thing about routines and I feel like why routine sometimes gets that perception that they are rigid, uptight and stuck up in a way is because routines provide structure. But that structure doesn't have to feel rigid or be rigid. An example of this. So a morning routine, right? So for your morning routine, you may read a book, and then you listen to a podcast. So you have the structure and the structure is to read a book and to listen to a podcast. But that book or podcast doesn't have to be the same every single morning. You can switch it up. And so this provides flexibility. So when routines are rigid, so yes, if you want to read the same book, and you want to listen to the same podcast, be my guest. That's a super rigid routine. But if you want to add some flexibility and flow to your routine, then that can be done by just switching up what is held within that structure. So read a different book or listen to a different podcast, so no routines do not have to be rigid.
Ashley Brown 05:01
Think about your house for a second. This is another good example. So you have a structure to your house right? The four walls that you're in you might be in right now. If you are, hopefully you're sitting back drinking you something good. But what you do every day in your home varies, right? It doesn't look the same from day to day. It's the same with routines, you have structure. But what is held or done within that structure can vary. So that's why I say routines are not rigid. If you make them rigid, that's up to you. But if you want to make them a little bit flexible to fit you more and to fit your style more, be my guest, you can do that. So when people think and say routines are rigid, they are only rigid if you make them that way. Let me just reiterate that again. They are only rigid if you want them to be rigid, but they don't have to be rigid, it's a choice.
Ashley Brown 05:48
Now, routines do need to have some type of structure, right? That's the whole point about routines. We don't want to just be around here doing anything because it's no longer a routine. We don't want to just be doing changing what we do day in and day out. Without structure without some type of predictable pattern, that's super important. But structure and rigidity are two different things. That's why they're two different words, right? They're two different things. And they mean two different things. We want the structure of routines. But routines by no means have to be rigid. But they do provide that structure that's really going to put you at ease. And like I say, a structure is to give you a pattern or organization to your life. Yeah, so we want that structure. We want peace within our life, we want to have a predictable pattern that puts us at ease. And so that's what routines are there to do. Just to answer the question again, no, routines are not rigid, unless you want them to be. But they do provide structure and that structure or predictable pattern is what puts your mind at ease. But the action and the things within your routine can vary, but the structure will always be there. And so because you can vary what's within that structured routine, that's what adds in the flexibility and makes them not rigid. So hopefully that makes sense. And hopefully that helps to shift your perspective about routines being rigid. And if you hear anybody else say that, say "oh no, they are only rigid if you want them to be."
Ashley Brown 07:21
So no more calling routines rigid or uptight or stuck up or restrictive. Routines are what you choose for them to be. And if you want them to be a bit flexible, if you want them to be a bit flowy you can do that, it's your choice and I want you to know you have the power to do that.
Ashley Brown 07:40
Alright, so that's it for this episode. Really short episode, short and sweet. But I hope that you join me next week because I'm going to be diving into the laundry routine and giving you three laundry routines. That's going to help make wash day easier for you. And that can really help make it easier for you. So hopefully you come back to check that out and to listen in. Before you leave, please make sure you rate and review the podcast, also subscribe and share. I would love if you share, took a screenshot, shared it on IG Instagram, tag me at Routine and Things. I would love to know that you're sharing so I can give you a shout out. I really appreciate you for listening today. I hope that you got something out of this and until next time, I hope you enjoy wherever you are, wherever you're doing. I will talk to you later.
Ashley Brown 08:28
[Outro] Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed today's episode, could you do me a huge favor and take a screenshot and share it on social? And for more routine goodness, be sure to visit routineandthings.com, here's to staying happy!