“The domestic lives we live … make possible our writing lives; our imaginations are freed by the prospect of … a predictable and consoling routine.” Joyce Carol Oates
Some individuals retire to escape routines yet, paradoxically, routines can form the very framework necessary for happiness in our sunset years. When I retired from my nine to five job, I recognized the need to develop a framework for my days. In doing so, I decided to eliminate the word “routine,” with its negative connotation, from my vocabulary. I opted to initiate “rituals” and “rhythms.”
WALKING TO WELLNESS
Taking a long walk every morning with our beloved golden retriever represented my first new ritual in adapting to part-time work. While I knew Cheyenne would love it, I underestimated the salutary effects on me. When we bade a sad farewell to Cheyenne in 2014, this ritual had become ensconced in my schedule.
I dubbed it my “Hello Day” walk, said with a cheerful lilt to stimulate a positive state of mind. My wellness grew to depend on the combination of fresh air (even on days overly crisp at -30 C or overly hot at +30 C), beauty (in the seasonally changing views), quiet contemplation and mild exercise.
OUTLINING AN AGENDA
Occasionally I mull over troubling issues. Always I envisage the day ahead. How will I spend my waking hours to augment the degree of my happiness? A myriad of activities comes easily to mind but, if we do not craft a plan, our day slips away. At its end we may feel our time’s been lost.
Rather than account for our day in the evening, we might outline a reasonable agenda for it in the morning. This practice helps to ensure our daily contentment.
Although I’ll propose other favourable rituals in my posts, please submit yours for our consideration. •
Tim McPhail says
Thank You Pam for some inspiring words. In 5 minutes I’m setting out on my first “Hello Day” walk !
My first priority after morning ablutions is to catch up on the news. The Globe and Mail usually arrives around 6am, which gives me yesterday’s stories. Shortly after, with coffee in hand, it’s over to the Internet to check for breaking news. Anyone else as obsessive as me in the early morning ?
Tim McPhail ( Honored to be Pam’s brother )
Pam McPhail says
What a satisfying ritual to begin your day. Positively obsessive. Pam (Honoured to be Tim’s sister)