I’ve been struggling recently to create a routine. Since retiring, my life has taken on a natural flow, like a stream meandering through a meadow, burbling and bubbling around boulders and obstacles (a lot of obstacles). When I was young, I was footloose and fancy free. There was no excessive effort or struggle; life was simple, spontaneous, and effortless. Everything I owned fit into the trunk of my car.
Then midlife arrived, bringing with it a host of demands and responsibilities. A rigid structure was required to fulfill the roles of husband, father, money manager, home owner, and employee, among others. Footloose and fancy free wasn’t an option. I was always on the clock. Now I’m attempting to reconcile having structure, yet flow with the natural rhythm of the cosmos. The key is to avoid forcing a routine driven by external pressures and create one that harmonizes with my inner nature.
“You are only afraid if you are not in harmony with yourself.” ~ Herman Hesse
Instead of a rigid structure, I want to craft a flexible routine that can sway with the wind, like a Ponderosa Pine. I want a routine that adapts to the change of seasons, the sunrise, stormy weather, or the class 4 rapids around the bend in the river. It needs to emphasize simplicity, focusing on the essentials: eating, resting, working, connecting, and adventure. Over-planning creates resistance, which is the opposite of what I want to achieve. I want to rise with the sun, tend to what’s important, and let the day unfold like a beautiful flower.
The reason for a routine is to schedule time to do the things I love to do; creating space in the busyness of the day for the things that bring fulfillment and joy—being present and responsive, trusting my intuition within a flexible framework. If a task feels forced, pause and pivot, trusting the moment. Take breaks to walk, meditate, or notice a wildflower or the flight of a hawk, staying open to the rhythms of nature.
“Our biological rhythms are the symphony of the cosmos, music embedded deep within us to which we dance, even when we can’t name the tune.” ~ Deepak Chopra
Too much spontaneity can lead to drift, while too much structure can stifle creativity. I’m searching for the sweet spot where routine supports flow without choking it. A routine that’s less about discipline and more about devotion to what matters: nature, food, fun, fitness, and my soul’s desire. I believe I can craft a routine that embodies the flow of nature, in tune with the symphony of the cosmos, while staying flexible and focusing on what’s essential. It’s less about clockwork precision and more about flowing like a river through a canyon—guided but free.
