Welcome to The Middle, a newsletter dedicated to reminding ourselves of the simple life principles we're aware of but often forget. Life happens, and in the middle of it all, we can easily lose sight of these important truths. The Middle is here to serve as a gentle nudge, a friendly tap on the shoulder, to help us remember these principles when we need them most. It's a call to remember important life principles in the middle of life when we're most prone to forgetting them. So, let's dive in and rediscover these timeless truths together.
On Routines and Rituals…
According to the dictionary,
Routine
/ruːˈtiːn/
noun
a sequence of actions regularly followed.
performed as part of a regular procedure rather than for a special reason
As children, our parents instilled in us certain daily routines, and for good reason. My childhood routine involved a sequence of activities, from waking up, to having devotion (either family devotion or personal quiet time) before getting ready and dressing up for school. After school, once I get back home, I have to take a shower, have my lunch, complete my homework, and have a nap before I go to play with my friends, In the evening, after dinner, i do my chores before bedtime.
Reflectively, I see that each activity contributed to a balanced day; it encompassed spiritual devotion, work, rest, play, community engagement, responsibility, and downtime.
As adults, we're tasked with creating our routines and rhythms. These routines should serve to help us thrive in every aspect of our lives. This means establishing daily routines that serve me in achieving my goals, including financial routines, spiritual practices, self-care rituals, and more.
Whether it's a monthly, weekly, or daily routine, the key is identifying and committing to healthy habits and systems supporting your well-being. By doing so, we can ensure that we're not just going through the motions, but actively nurturing ourselves and our lives for optimal growth and fulfillment.
Just like plants, as humans, we need cultivating and nurturing. We must be intentional in cultivating good habits, routines, and rituals that help us flourish and thrive.
I hope you take time out this week to review some of your daily routines and rituals, take off routines that aren’t helping you grow, e.g., daily binge-watching TV, social media doomscrool, eating junk food daily; and try to introduce new daily routines that will contribute to the person you truly want to be.
I hope you’re reminded to mindfully nurture yourself daily.
Please leave a comment, What are some of your routines or rituals that you’re currently enjoying and that you’d recommend?