The Key to (this) Writer's Happiness: Organization + Routine

I think the key to happiness is... staying organized. At least, for me. I'm not one of those writers who works in a cluttered office. I like things to be neat and in their place, so I can find them when necessary, so I don't have to think about the mess. I'm obsessed with lists, making them, crossing them off.

Lately, I've been taking care of things that have been on my To Do list for months. New brakes on car, repaying loans, sending thank you cards, organizing my office papers, making and showing up for doctor appointments, etc. It feels good to check things off, to not have them hanging over my head, to have order. I actually enjoy paying bills and balancing my checkbook.

I'm also easily distracted. So, routine (i.e. organized time) is my friend.

The other day on Instagram, @instarlodge (a residency center that I follow) posted the following: Louise Bourgeois was very habitual with her morning routine. She would drink a cup of tea “with some jelly straight out of the jar,” her assistant recalled. Afterwards, he explained, “she’d have a bit of a sugar high and be ready to roll.” Her morning Routine was so set and connected with her assistant she created 10 am is When You Come to Me (2006). Which all goes to say, we’re interested in your morning routine, how you set up for the day, the week. 

I responded in the comments: Wash dishes. Make coffee. Drink coffee and think while outside throwing stick for dog. Feed dog. Take shower. Dress. Review lists, make lists. Get to work.

(I forgot to add Make bed. Like, I can't leave the house with an unmade bed.)

This basic routine rarely changes. Sometimes the dog and I will go for a walk or hike instead of playing fetch, but that's the only variance.

In fact, the dog knows the routine so well, she doesn't even get out of bed (on the second floor) until she hears my spoon stirring the milk into coffee. It's like that movie Get Out, when the guy has an automatic reaction every time he hears the tinkling of a tea cup being stirred, except with the bionic hearing of a dog. I've tried stirring the coffee silently... but her four feet still thump-thump-thump down the stairs.

Once I tried feeding her before going outside; she looked at me like, "who are you?"

So, yeah, organization... and routine. This is my happy place (my dog's happy place too). Because when life throws those curveballs, all that organization and routine get shattered like broken glass, and it's so difficult to put the pieces back together, to find that steady rhythm again. Even good news can do this... but definitely bad news, stress and grief.

When I maintain my routine and stay organized, in control of things, that's when shit gets done. My head is free to wander and roam. My writing is more relaxed and confident. I can focus on the task at hand... and I treasure this.

What's your routine?