The Joy of Imperfect Routines

Daily writing prompt

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

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When it comes to a routine, I don’t really have a strict one that I follow every day.  I like comfort and familiarity, as many neurodivergent people do.  I love the idea of planning out a routine—I even enjoy labeling things, keeping things organized and tidy—but I rarely stick to it.

There’s something satisfying about structure, about seeing tasks neatly lined up and checked off. I love office supplies, for instance.  I used to get so giddy going back-to-school shopping: pens, paper, binders, sticky notes, highlighters—everything.  Just having all those tools in front of me felt like I was ready to conquer the world.  But more often than not, those supplies went untouched.  The neat stacks of paper turned into piles of forgotten tasks, and the planners I adored ended up collecting dust. 

If I were to skip a part of my predictable daily life—my “not really routine”—it would probably be the parts that feel like obligation rather than joy.  The chores I tell myself I should do, and the reminders that make me feel guilty when ignored.  Ironically, these are the parts that, when skipped, often leave me feeling both guilty and relieved at the same time.

Routines are more about comfort than they are about perfection.  I’ve noticed that whenever I try to set up a routine, it does in fact provide me with stability without smothering my creativity or joy.  For me, skipping tasks isn’t about laziness, it’s more about preserving my energy and protecting my mental health.   

Routine doesn’t have to be strict.  In my opinion it’s about intention, flexibility and the small things that bring me comfort, even if I don’t do every single thing I planned.