The Value Of Daily Routines

I do the same things every day.

I like it. It is a great way to make little advancements every day and it is also a great way to relieve anxiety.

I’m not a doctor, but I’m pretty sure that anxiety is the result of choices. We have too many choices in life. I’ve felt this way since I read a study about tribal societies and their lack of mental health health problems.

Tribal societies don’t have a lot to think about. Funny enough, they’re not haunted by their lack of choices. It’s freedom for them. They have no anxiety, no schizophrenia, no suicide, and no depression. As long as their basic needs are met, they live a relatively care free life.

*Note - I realize this is a very unscientific claim. If anyone has counter arguments to this, feel free to send it to me. I had a psych teacher in 8th grade who spent an entire week on this subject. His name was Mr. Widener. This is all from recollection of one of the readings he gave us many years ago.

This tells me that anxiety is an unfortunate byproduct of modern society. We didn’t evolve to live like this. Our brains aren’t optimized for such a wide range of decision making.

Anxiety is a defense mechanism. It’s a way for us to easily identify danger and it creates a heightened state for us to optimize our senses to solve for the danger. But modern society FEELS like there is danger everywhere, when in reality, there is a huge difference between figuring out how to get to work on time and getting attacked by a bear.

Your brain doesn’t know the difference between the two. Your brain chemistry and physiological responses are just are radical in both situations. So we’re all living our lives feeling like were walking through a dark cave, with snakes and bears and lions hiding around every corner.

Gaining control of this modern malfunction in your brain is one of the first steps you must take.

I feel happiest and most at piece with the fewer decisions I make.

• I wear the same outfit every day, with slight variations in color.

• I wake up at the same time every morning.

• I eat basically the same meals every day at the same times.

• I complete the same 12 tasks every day.

Obviously, I also add variety in life. Yesterday, I went and played disc golf. Jules and I love to travel and go on adventures. I love to try new food.

I’m not a robot. I’m a person who loves to live life.

But my point is that excitement is overrated. I enjoy a much more disciplined, focused, and routine lifestyle. I think it’s a big reason why I am able to get so much done. It only looks like a lot when it’s finished.