Good morning and happy new year, yada yada yada. If you’ll notice, I gave Half Empty a typographic face lift. New year, new me!
These past two months with the holidays and changing weather, my routine has really taken a tumble. It’s funny I’m complaining at all considering routine often feels like a simulation to me. “I can’t do the same thing every day or I’ll lose my mind, blah blah.” I realized though, that routine isn’t entirely about repeating the same hobbies daily, it’s more of the small daily movements, or hobbies on a weekly basis. For instance, I can handle skating at least twice a week, or three if my chakras are aligned. I can’t do it every day, but I also can’t not do it at all.
This is when I realized: routines are like sticky traps. No matter how much I try to escape them, I get pulled right back. I miss them when I can’t partake. I blame this on being human, as I do for many of my flaws - which I will not be listing at this time. Creatures of habit, as they say. Humans. Us. Beings. Mortals. Sad accidents. Earth ruiners. etc etc. We really can’t escape routine because we’re not programmed to - starting from even the smallest, most mundane parts of our day like brushing our teeth and washing our face down and to the order we do them in. It’s only when it expands into bigger things like hobbies and commitments that I fall off the wagon and assume I’m built different. I figured since I can’t commit to the same activities every day, I must be anti-routine, but it’s just not true.
And what is it about routines? There’s certainly a sense of comfort hidden in a routine’s predictability. A sense of safety. Like a really boring boyfriend. Which could have its perks! You always know where they’ll be and what to expect, if that’s your thing. It’s not mine though so good luck with that.
I think the comfort and security we feel in our routines comes from the sense of control they bring to our lives. Let’s be honest, we all need to control something. And not in the weird obsessive way but in the way that makes us feel less like a tumble weed and more like roots or vines. A nice ivy facade perhaps - where too much in the wrong conditions could be damaging. All I need is something consistent to latch my little green tendrils onto and I’m solid. (I think “control” also deserves its own issue, so more on that later). But you get my drift. For anyone who’s wired like me and needs a hefty dose of variety in their day to stay sane, you may feel anti-routine. I think it just means we need consistency in our own small ways. Maybe it’s that same cup of coffee with the milk frothed just right in one of our three favorite mugs every day. A small, consistent detail where routine and our sanity coexist, albeit briefly.
That’s all for now. Check out some ExtraExtra below - been a while!
Elizabeth
COVID Testing - If you live in the DMV, DC public libraries are giving out free PCR at home test kits to anyone. You just pick up a pack (2 per person) and drop it back off at the drop box! If you’re a DC resident, libraries are also giving away free rapid Antigen tests (two boxes per person = 4 tests). Tell your friends and maybe mail some to those in states without access.
I’ve committed to reading more. Yes! I know! If you remember the issue on my fear of books, you’ll be very proud. Also got a library card! Too bad I live with Ryan or this would make for an okay rom com.
I just finished Lauren Graham’s book, Talking As Fast As I Can and it really energized me. Probably because it’s the actress who played Lorelai Gilmore, iykyk. If you like my writing I think you’ll like her book. It was like I was eavesdropping on my own mind talking over itself. It was great. Reads as fast as the title.
Mugs are like clothes. They can be very personal. I realized this the other day when I accidentally poured coffee into Ryan’s Star Wars mug instead of my cat mug which somehow warranted a “MOTHERFUCKER!”
Everyone who can needs to watch The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO asap. I makes me cackle and feel very seen. I will not say more because then I won’t stop!