New Routines

Yesterday I came to the realisation that I always feel happier when life is flowing gently around a very settled daily routine, and when that routine is up-ended on it's head it makes me feel very off balance. For so many years of my life my week days  have been dominated by the school routine - because of the age gap between the big Teen and Little B, I'm currently in the final stretch of a fifteen year primary school stint. That's a lot of years, and it has always provided a very solid structure to my week. During this past year when school life has been so utterly disrupted, we have all bent and adapted to changing circumstances as we've moved in and out of lockdown. I never thought I would miss the school routine so much, but quite simply I find life so much easier to navigate when I'm out the door at 8.30 with energy in my step and a sense of purpose.

Little B was finally back in school for two weeks and I was just beginning to feel my sense of equilibrium returning when out of nowhere he was sent straight back to home schooling and a period of self isolation (a positive covid case in his class). I could have cried, honestly. I woke up early this morning (6am kind of early) and for a while I lay in bed wondering if I could maybe drift back to sleep for a bit, or if I should just get up and embrace the day. With the luxury of time to spare, I sat and thought about how I would really like to start my day. What should I do? I pondered on it for a while, and then finally decided that what would suit me best would be some early morning fresh air.....yeah, lets do this! I got dressed in my workout clothes (leggings and a sports top), threw a warm fleece on top, then made myself a coffee in my takeout cup. Then before I could think anything more of it, I was striding out the back door and up the cobbled streets towards the park. It was 6.40am, a chilly, grey kind of a day.

I stood at the top of the park and looked out towards the meadow, and I can't tell you how good it felt to be breathing in that cold fresh air. It was like my inner balance was suddenly restored, and I felt full of energy for the day ahead. I walked down the steep grassy slope, then along the pathway that leads from the park to the canal....

....and all was still and quiet. I walked as fast as I could to wake up my circulation, powering up the steep hill back to the Attic. It took me twelve minutes in total, which oddly enough is about the same length of time that the school run takes. When I got home, because I was already wearing my workout clothes it made it easy to get stuck straight into my exercise. I'd effectively given myself a twelve minute al fresco warm up.

I'm still loving Lucy Wyndham-Read workouts on YouTube (you can read more about my exercise journey in this post), they are just so easy to fit into an everyday busy morning. I'm doing her "Beginners Running Workouts" at the moment and am currently in week three. I actually started week three last week but got a bit over enthusiastic with the lunges and ended up hobbling around for three days so had to take a break. This week I'm repeating week three with a bit more caution and so far so good. Incidentally, I have no intention of running outside, but I find that interval training is a really great workout. 

Do you know, I was all exercised, showered and dressed by 8am this morning (which is how it would be on a normal school day for me) and I felt SO GOOD!!!!!!!!! 

Due to this new routine, and also the fact that there isn't any school run to do right now, J and I decided to shift our daily walk forward as well today. We were out walking at 8.30 (again, this is the time we would normally be walking to school), and it was great to be out there so early. We had the woodland to ourselves, the paths were deserted and it really did feel like we were getting the best out of the day. 

We came home from the woods via a quick detour through town to pick up our coffee (of course we did), and by 9.30 I was sat in the Big Chair all exercised out and ready for a bit of a  rest. I'm convinced that this is going to be a great routine for me for the next few weeks so I'm going to try and stick with it. I'll let you know how I get on.

I'm trying to reset my eating habits this week too as I've been on a bit of a toast and chocolate rollercoaster ride just lately. I get real cravings for toasty carbs and sweet things which mostly I've learnt to keep in check. Every so often I allow myself to go with the flow when the cravings hit hard, knowing that I'll generally be able to pull it back into line when I need to. This week is me getting back to that healthy line. Full disclosure - I didn't manage to resist the hot cross bun or the mini eggs today. But hey, I'm trying.

Today was something of a "life admin" day for me with an actual to-do list written down on paper instead of just jangling around inside my head. I popped out late morning to visit the post office to post a letter and drop off some parcels, something I've been meaning to do for weeks. I'm so lucky that my walk into town is along the canal, it makes running errands feel like less of a chore.

Ahhh, it felt good to tick those things off my list, and my plan is to make myself another small list of to-do's for tomorrow as well. It all helps to keep me feeling grounded, and I realised this morning that I really need that right now. 

I put clean bedding on the bed today (can't wait to climb in there later), and this afternoon I lit my burner and spent an hour or so chatting to my Mum friend in Winwick on the phone. My bed has become my retreat during this lockdown, it's where I go when I need to think, rest, retreat. And chat to friends.

It's been a good day, and I'm feeling encouraged by the small changes to my routine that made me feel like I'm doing OK in these topsy turvy times. Before I go, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to comment on my posts this week, I really love hearing from you. I hope your day has been a good one, see you tomorrow :)

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ps one of my oldest friends from my textile/art student days has just recently started blogging and is joining me with daily blogs this week...do pop over and give her a wave, I think you'll like her story telling. She's called Stitchy Kate x

 

Comments

[Lucy McCoy]

Don’t go away. I love reading your blog and seeing your crochet and other projects. I enjoy your photos as well.

[شركة تنظيف خزانات بجازان]

شركة النصر
نوفر خدمة خاصة بتنظيف الخزانات بجودة عالية
و فريق متخصص من خلال خدمة :-

[Natalie]

Hello, I used to read your blog years ago and I'm so happy to have found you again! You know, I think you've just made me realise how much I thrived on the whole school run routine. Seventeen years of my life, starting when I was 24! It's all I'd ever known. My youngest finishes secondary this year and I've struggled with finding a structure for my day for the last five years.
Here's to early morning walks setting us up for the day!
Natalie x

[Joanne Roberts]

I have been finding a new routine now that my daughter is in year 6 too. It is slower and less frantic and it is making me feel sooooo much better. Enjoy your walks. Jo
https://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

[Kate McCurrach]

Thanks Lucy. I hadn't read this post yesterday. Very much appreciate the mention and I've had some lovely comments. I think you're right about the gentle routine thoughts. xx

[Wendy]

Good to see Skipton still looking great, we had a holiday up there a few years ago and love to seeing your pictures to remind me. and you are still loving it. I am curious to know what you have in your burner and what glorious smells you use to unwind.

[Lynn E Claytor]

I look forward to your blogs. They make me smile. I find myself reflecting on the childhoods of my children regardless of the fact that they have been adults for many many years! lol Please take care in these crazy times...it doesn't stay bad for ever!

[Ann]

I really enjoy reading your blog and am reassured by your descriptions of the small things in life. I love your idea of an early morning walk with coffee made at home in your take out mug - will definitely be copying this to try and kickstart my days when I’m not in charge of my grandchildren!

[Gwen]

Thank you for the exercise You Tube recommendation! It's always nice to break out of whatever current routine I'm in.

As always, I truly enjoy your pics and Attic glimpses. Have a great week!

[Sal Mitchell]

Thank you for the disclosure about the toast, hot cross buns and mini eggs. I found this more encouraging than anything else as it is sometimes easy to imagine that you are a wholesome, healthy-eating, exercising Goddess which I am definitely not. In a strange way, I feel more inclined to try and be better when I don’t feel everyone else had it sorted.

[Ruth]

Hi Lucy. I think you are absolutely right about getting up and getting on with the day, and also the importance of a routine. I’m a lolled- in- bed sort of person and although it is lovely once in a while, I think I take it too far. I was up and at it this morning too, though not so energetic as you, and I definitely feel better for it x

[Gabriele]

I love that your post was about routines. My husband and I just retired on Friday after many many years of working full time. Having had a routine for many years there will be an adjustment time to find our new routine. I look around and see all the things my husband and I have put off doing and now need done.

[Marjorie Sanderson]

Hi Lucy glad you are feeling better always love reading your blogs I can so identify with you and your routine when my daughter was younger and at school everything worked to routine my husband worked locally and came home for lunch so I was always watching the clock to make sure everything was running smoothly I always enjoyed it . My daughter now has her own children and is doing similar things and my husband and I had to get a new routine when he retired we would miss our routine think I would not manage with out some sort of routine. We alter the clocks at the weekend Lucy so more light evenings and better weather on the way we hope. Thank you for your blogs and letting us see into your life and family. We appreciate them very much oh and the crochet . MARJORIE xx

[A Jo For All Seasons]

I'm all for routines and feel so much better when I have one. I'm wondering what I'll need to put in place over the Easter holidays without having to get up and get Kitty to nursery school for 8.30am. My current routine, this week anyway, is taking a few minutes out with a coffee to read your daily post. Bliss! x

[CJ]

I love my routine as well. I used to think that it would be great when I didn't have to do the school run any more - no more rushing around to get ready and going out of the house in the cold and the wind and the rain first thing. Then we got a dog and so I have kept doing it, and it is the best thing. I do my twenty minute workout as soon as I get up, then all the shower and house tidying things, then after the children leave I walk the dog, so by the time I get back I feel as if I've done all the virtuous physical things I need to for the day, although I do do another dog walk later. I also find that routine cuts down on decision fatigue, which is important for creatives. Making loads of micro decisions is draining over the course of the day. Barrack Obama was big on that sort of thing - knowing what clothes he would wear etc. in advance so no need to think about it. CJ xx

[maypole]

You feel so much better once you have done it. I have recently started following LWR after reading about her on your blog. The short workouts are great. I also follow Leslie Sansone. My health kick began at the end of October, giving up crisps and biscuits completely and I haven't cheated once. I even gave away my Christmas sweeties! My treat is a small piece of proper dark chocolate. I now walk out most days for about 4 miles, I live on the coast so I can walk along the shore when the tide is low. I feel so much better. Spring is just around the corner. X

[Teresa]

Hi Lucy. Another really good blog so happy that you've got into a routine I have found it very difficult to get motivated. To give me a little bit of encouragement have a good day.

[Emma]

I am like you, I have been doing the school run continuously since Jan 2005 and it will end in July 2022, and I have wondered recently what I will do without that routine in my life. I guess I will have to find myself a new kind of structure to my day. I always have a little list going each day of small jobs I need to do or phone calls I need to make - I find it keeps me calm and stops me feeling over loaded. I think this is the first time I've commented on your blog although I've been following for years.

[Alice]

An early morning walk is such a nice start to the day, it's so refreshing!

My bed is also my place that I like to go if I need time and space,its just so comforting which is what we need right now. I've even set up a tea station next to my bed and brought all my yarn and crochet upstairs so it feels super cosy! Only trouble is I never want to leave I have everything I need in there 😅

[Sissi Goodman]

Hi Lucy, hello from Sweden, being married to a londoner and once lived there, I'v loved reading your blogg, I have followed you for more than 10 years often reading late before bedtime, to late to write. This is the first time, but I really wanted to say thank you for sharing all, nature, food, cooking, art and your feelings and family life. Encourage me so much, so often. I just love all colours aswell and you inspire me so much. I have done a few CAL,so kind of you to give us lots to enjoy. I remember your caravan very well as we use to have one. Thank you again for giving of you time and colourful life to us all. Love from Sissi

[Jacqui]

Lovely post have been having words with myself and got up this morning and changed my supermarket delivery to more healthy food. Now to sort out excercise!! Then next is get the hoyse in order since him indoors has been on furlough my usual house cleaning routine has gone to pot so I will sort that out and more excercise and hopefully like you my moid will lift. Thankyou your lovely blogs make me think oh and i so enjoy your photos.

[Wen]

So nice to catch up again Lucy. So many years have gone by while I have followed you ❤🌻 Will check out Kate

[Tammy]

It's so good to read your daily posts! I love it when I can take a quiet few minutes and sit down and read about your day. I wouldn't survive without my lists and my phone "dinging" me all day, reminding me of everything that needs to be done at work and at home every day. I had started walking when we had an early few weeks of nice weather but now it's back to being cold and windy. We always get wind in the Spring and I really don't like it! Possible snow tomorrow :( but hopefully soon we'll have some real Spring weather and I can go for early morning walks also. Thanks so much for sharing your life Lucy! You're an inspiration in so many ways!

[Tina]

Hello from Maine, USA, Lucy! I love your canal, and the idea of walking into town to run errands. Not really something to be done in most of the US. I am lacking in a solid routine as well this year, and I miss it. My oldest is off at college in his first year, which has made the house seem a bit empty, and my youngest is 100% virtual learning which has really changed things. And throwing in topsy-turvy work as well, and 2020-21 has not been like another year. I see hope in vaccines on the horizon though, and spring seems to have come early this year, for which I'm thankful.

[April V]

I love your blog and read it religiously! I don't comment often but just wanted to say how much I enjoy your writing and photos. And of course all your crochet goodness. I'm on the border of my Cosy Blanket and have the Meadow kit here ready to start next! Thanks for such a great blog.