You may be living a habitual lifestyle and not even know it. Here are some of my own habits and how they started.
I’ll confess something here. I’m a creature of habit. I do the same thing at the same time on the same days. And while some may think it’s boring, it works for me. Every morning I get breakfast and a large vanilla iced coffee from Chick-fil-a before I start my workday. (And P.S. if you haven’t had one yet, you must get it tomorrow. Or today if you can. Maybe right after you read this post. Yes, that’s the best option.) I plan my mornings around commercial breaks so I can hear the entire Kidd Kraddick In The Morning radio show. Every night I have a specific television show I watch based on the day. Every Saturday I read the Thistlekeeping series on my favorite blog, Thistlewood Farms. Every Sunday I go to Lowes for supplies for the week’s projects. And every Wednesday night I link up with my awesome group of bloggers at Inspiration Thursday.

Is it weird that I have such a set routine? It’s not that I can’t function if something goes wrong or plans change (except the vanilla iced coffee. I can’t function without it), I just get used to doing things and never forget them.
Like the cat litter box. I clean it in the morning. I decided to skip it one morning and do it in the afternoon when I returned home so I could take all the trash out at once. Well I forgot. And by the next morning I had a full box and two very angry kitties.

And the houseplants. I have to water them Wednesday. If I attempt to wait a day, I forget and they don’t get a drink until the next Wednesday (I know, I’m a horrible plant mommy.)
But it’s not just days and times that I’m used to. It’s the order of doing things. Checking emails, social media, and blog comments are all done in a specific order. When cleaning the house I dust furniture in the same sequence every time. My bedtime routine (which annoys my husband, I’m sure) requires the covers to be turned down a certain way, the fan on a certain setting, even the pillows in a certain position. When I leave the house in the morning I literally say out loud “Phone, Keys, Computer, Purse” to ensure I have everything.

Maybe I’m weird. Maybe I’m borderline OCD. But whatever the case, these habits work for me. I’m productive, reliable, and I stay on track. I call that a win.
Someone please verify that I’m not the only one that lives like this.
Sandy Gandy says
I am also a creature of habit. Especially my morning routine.
Laureen Gierut says
Hi, I check your blogs on a regular basis. Your writing style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
Angie @ Project Patrol says
I, too, am a creature of habit. Then there are days I have no idea what I’m doing because something threw a wrench in it. Recently my schedule changed drastically from what I’m used to and I can’t seem to get back into the groove of things. I sure hope I can nestle into a good routine soon. I do miss it!
lela says
I know exactly what you mean about not knowing what you’re doing when things get thrown off. But I also get so caught up in my regular schedule that I don’t even realize what I’m doing because it’s so normal. Glad to know I’m not alone with this!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
Oh, Good Lord, I love you! I too am a creature of habits and a schedule. I actually love being on a schedule! LOL. Anyhoo, thanks for sharing and thanks for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world! Feel free to share this post at my Make it Pretty Monday party which goes live on Monday at 8:00PM CDT. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com I took a break from my party this week since this is the first week of school and we have a new schedule. So, I’m making a new schedule…lol. Hope to see you and your habits at the bash! Have an awesome rest of the week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
lela says
Hi Kathryn! Thank you so much for the invite. I will definitely stop by your party. Good luck with your new schedule and I’m so happy to meet you.
Linda says
If that’s weird then I guess I’m weird too! I have my routine and I pretty much stick to it! 🙂 🙂 Maybe I’m your older sister!? haha
lela says
I’ve always wanted a sister! Ha ha!
Brad says
You’re not weird, Lela! You’re just like me, and I’m just like you, and I think it’s better that way, although I really think you should not be *that* concerned about your iced coffee!
lela says
We are exactly alike little brother. But seriously, that coffee…oh my gosh. The entire staff knows me by name.