Do you Routine?

Routine.  It’s a basic word.  Mundane, perhaps. It is a word that causes our minds to veer each in different directions.  A routine medical procedure or a dance routine are the most common types of routines that pop into my mind.

One hot, muggy, fall morning in the heart of Louisiana, I was enjoying my coffee, chatting with my cousin while she got dressed for the day.  We laughed over a misunderstood text.  “I’m going to let Ike out,” read to me like, “I’m going to lay out.”  Autocorrect happens so often, and I was peeling my eyelids open in bed to read the text.  Ike is the dog, a big dog, and “letting him out” consists of riding in the Can Am ATV while he runs beside.   While she is getting ready for the day, I just marvel at her attitude for life and her excitement for her daily routine.  After a good 5-10 minute decision on which sandals to pair with her jeans and simple, but cute top, she reminded me once again with a laugh, this is everyday.  My routine!  And followed with, I’m glad you were here to help me decide and then invited me to ride into town to get the mail.  She talked about the mail lady and was genuinely happy to go in and see her.  She came back out and shared a little of their banter, and back home we went.  I was sad to say goodbye as I enjoyed that morning, sharing in her routine, immensely.  

I’ve thought about that morning almost every day since.  As a stay at home mom for 22 years turned flight attendant, I have never really had a morning routine unless you count, wake up, take meds, drink coffee and brush teeth.  I don’t even make my bed every day.  Some days I’m a rock star and I put any SAHM to shame, but then some days, I’m still drinking coffee at noon, in my pjs making a list of things I need to do, and typing a blog.  I have never grasped the idea of doing the same thing every day in the same way.  Why?  Am I the only one?  

I remember a conversation with a friend of mine who also taught my son in 2nd grade.  She made the comment once that she could not go to bed and sleep unless her house is spotless and even the pillows on the couch are in the perfect position.  Until that day, I’m not even sure I knew there was a perfect position for pillows.  It was part of her nightly routine.  When I first got married, my sweet grandmother came to visit and decided she should give me some pointers on keeping a house ready for guests at all times.  1) never leave dishes in the sink 2) always make your bed 3) keep your lipstick on or handy.   Simple, but I failed at all 3.  Not always, but many times. 

More recently as I have been visiting friends homes for ideas as we attempt to build a new house, I

Kadi's sweet bed

was caught off guard by the fact every conversation mentioned something about the bed being made.  One friend, as she is giving me a tour, apologizes that her bed was made sloppily by her husband that morning.  One friend said, “absolutely, come any time.  Just give me a quick text so I can make sure the bed is made.”  The last friend apologized that the bed wasn’t made.  All 3 times, I went straight back to my grandmother’s teachings.  And honestly, I could care less if the beds were made or not, but it made me realize it is always on people’s minds.  

Kerri's sweet bed

Several years ago,  a video was making the rounds on Facebook of a Navy seal admiral’s speech discussing the importance of making your bed everyday.  I challenged my kids to making the bed everyday, and we sent each other pictures.  That was fun but short lived.  

I decided to take a quick poll about bed making routines.  I sent the poll to 45 friends and family from different  paths of life, different parts of the country, and different ages, but all female.  I was interested to see the results.  Five didn’t respond right away.  Seven make the bed as soon as they wake up, while 13  make their beds some time during their morning routine.  12 make their beds most days.  Six say they rarely make their beds (these are my peeps!) and two admit to only making it when guests are coming over.   A special thanks to all who participated. 

Because you can see my bed from
my front door, it is usually
somewhat made.  :)

Growing up, I don’t recall ever making my bed unless I was doing spring cleaning. I’m sure I made it more than that, but I don’t recall.  As I entered adulthood, I tried harder, and it went in spurts.  It was definitely made every time we knew guests were coming.  And through the years, it’s off and on.  Some times it rarely gets made; sometimes it’s made every day.  Today, it is made.  And, tomorrow…..  well maybe you will just have to pop in to see!   Circling back to my cousin, and all my pondering thoughts, it hit me.  It’s not about what she does in her morning routine, it’s about her attitude about the mundane things in life.  I choose, today and everyday forward, to be happy doing whatever I decide is routine that particular day.