Embracing or Breaking Routines: Finding a Balance in Life
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Routines
Humans tend to develop habits over time, becoming creatures of routine. However, our awareness often leads us to question these patterns, causing some to label them as “ruts”—paths that trap us—while others see them as beneficial rituals.
Consider how frequently you mention “routine” throughout your day: from exercise plans to morning rituals and work schedules. But what truly defines these routines? Are they obstacles to our growth, or are they essential elements of our existence?
Personally, I find it hard to imagine life without routines. No matter the ups and downs I face, I inevitably establish a daily routine. Even if I were adrift on a raft in the ocean, I would soon create a “raft routine” to occupy my time.
I often grapple with whether this reliance on routine is advantageous or detrimental. While they have helped me navigate difficult times, I recognize that sticking too rigidly to a routine can make me miss out on other experiences.
Should we dismantle our routines, or should we embrace them for comfort?
Section 1.1: The Case for Routines
In Stillness Is The Key, Ryan Holiday delves into the significance of routines in the lives of remarkable individuals, focusing on the late Fred Rogers. The beloved figure from children's television was deeply anchored in routine.
Rogers began each day at 5 AM with reflection and prayer before heading to the YMCA for his morning swim. He would weigh himself to ensure he maintained a consistent weight of 143 lbs and would mentally sing the same song while swimming. Holiday notes that this morning ritual left Rogers feeling rejuvenated, almost like a baptism for the day ahead.
Following his swim, Rogers would begin his television show with a familiar sequence: arriving at the studio singing, changing into a sweater, removing his shoes, and slipping into house shoes. Only after this routine would he engage his young audience.
Holiday also highlights the routines of various athletes and authors, asserting that routine provides comfort and stability—a foundation for meaningful and fulfilling work. Rather than serving as a confinement, routine offers a sanctuary in a world filled with uncertainty.
In times of extreme hardship, such as during the Vietnam War, Captain Charlie Plumb discovered that routines could be life-saving. After his jet was shot down, he spent six years in the notorious Hanoi Hilton. In this harrowing environment, Plumb and his fellow prisoners established daily routines to cope with the brutal conditions, including worship services and clandestine lessons.
Plumb recounted how even in solitary confinement, he engaged in mental exercises to maintain his sanity by reflecting on his life’s events. Holiday explains that these repetitive habits can help the mind relax and wander, serving almost as a form of self-hypnosis that enhances our performance.
Interestingly, while many soldiers experienced PTSD after the Vietnam War, only 4% of Plumb's group faced such issues post-conflict, suggesting that routines can play a crucial role in preserving our well-being, even amidst trauma.
The first video titled "The Power in Breaking Your Routines" by Kacper Kurek addresses the significance of routines and how altering them can lead to personal growth.
Section 1.2: Challenging the Status Quo
“The default carries immense power even in advanced industries like rocket science. This idea is called path dependence. What we’ve done before shapes what will come next.” — Ozan Varol, Think Like A Rocket Scientist
Ozan Varol, a former rocket scientist, dedicates considerable thought to questioning routines and the status quo. In his book, he recounts his restrictive educational experience in Turkey, which stifled his creativity and sparked a desire to break free.
His passion for space led him to work on the Mars Lander program, which encouraged challenging traditional views. Varol illustrates how routines can often be followed blindly simply because that’s how things have always been done.
One fascinating example he provides is that NASA’s rocket engines measure 4 feet 8 inches in width due to a design by an ancient Roman engineer. This design was intended to fit the railways used to transport rockets, which in turn were based on the width of roads from Roman times.
Varol also criticizes the inefficiency of the QWERTY keyboard, originally designed to prevent typewriter jams, yet we continue to use it despite advancements in technology.
This adherence to outdated routines can lead to significant waste, as demonstrated by the costly single-use rockets of the past. In contrast, companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin have pioneered reusable rockets by challenging established norms.
Varol argues that questioning routines has frequently resulted in groundbreaking innovations. While routines can be comforting, they can also prevent us from discovering new solutions in science and in our lives.
Chapter 2: Striking a Balance
Having explored compelling arguments for both embracing and challenging routines, what is the conclusion? As someone who thrives on routines, I tend to align more with Holiday and Captain Plumb’s perspectives on their benefits for personal growth.
Yet, I believe there is merit in Varol’s viewpoint as well. Both interpretations hold truth, and the answer lies in a delicate balance.
Ritualized routines provide us with the stability we need to evolve, but it’s equally important to examine them critically. Engaging in thought experiments that challenge our norms can lead to significant breakthroughs in our personal and professional lives.
However, it’s important to recognize that our lives cannot be fully analyzed through a scientific lens. While our minds may operate in ways similar to computers, they are not machines. What may seem like a trivial routine can have profound effects on our creativity and well-being that defy logical explanation.
Ultimately, navigating the fine line between established rituals and new experiences requires careful self-reflection and experimentation. Routines can hold both positive and negative aspects, and it benefits us to consider the insights of Holiday, Plumb, and Varol as we shape our lives.
The second video titled "Embracing Routine: The Benefits of Getting Back to Normal in February" discusses the importance of routines and how returning to them can foster stability and well-being.
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