A Cat, A Dog, And Routines That Stick

I resist a routine at the same time as really craving one.  It’s a paradox that became glaringly obvious when I left the schedule of full-time work.  When I retired, I both loved the flexibility of doing whatever I liked with a day, while at the same time feeling lost when I drifted without focus. It was a frustrating battle with time.

I’m Schedule-Avoidant

Now that I’m several years into this new life, I’ve found there are some things that work for me that I wouldn’t have expected to work. They give me some structure to the day without stopping me from being spontaneous. They’re there to move me along, and prevent that drifting fog of time from swallowing me up.

The Most Effective Day Planner

Before retiring, I didn’t own a pet. Now, I have a cat, and we doggy-sit our grand-dog from Monday to Friday. My day has some structure that I can’t wiggle out of.  My brain is an expert at avoiding schedules that have no accountability.  But, there are no alarms on my phone, or day planners that can compel me to follow a regular routine like a cat and a dog. 

Kitty Clock

In the morning, my dear tabby meows for breakfast from 6:00 am onwards. Sometimes I’m allowed to sleep in, but she makes sure that I take care of her as soon as I’m dressed. Her needs push me to start the routine of my day like a cascade effect. Similarly, at dinner time she appears in the kitchen to remind me that I need to stop what I’m doing, and start making food for all of us. She even appears next to my chair at bedtime to remind me to do her evening routine. She works very hard to ensure that I don’t drift through my day without structure. (She probably deserves a raise.)

Dog Planner

Similarly, the structure of having our grand-dog get dropped off each weekday morning continues to provide shape to the day. Preparing her fresh water dish and treat to welcome her, ensures that I’m in the kitchen making my breakfast and not forgetting to eat until my stomach growls uncomfortably. She watches me grab a mid-morning matcha and joins me in the backyard to breathe and look at the birds.  In the afternoon, I have flexibility around when I take her for a walk, but her presence guarantees that I do go for a walk every day.

On the weekends, I notice a hole in the middle of the day where we would usually walk, and I try to remember to take myself for a walk – but it’s not the same. I can easily slip out of that routine without her presence. There’s no accountability.

Pets Solve My Schedule-Avoidance

Pets provide the structure that I need to get moving and use my time wisely.  However, I also have the flexibility to change things up and go out for dinner or visit an out-of-town friend. I make arrangements for our pets in those situations. But, I know that once I return the routine with automatically fall back into place. I don’t have to remember to re-start it. My brain can’t slip out of the schedule. Having pets in my life is exactly what I need to solve my routine paradox.

What’s been your experience with creating a schedule that’s flexible but not easy to avoid? Comment below.

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