Giving grace to routines, rituals, and roads

Welcome (back) to my studies on grace in 2022! On March 10^th, I connected grace to topics of releasing, relationships, and responsibilities. These are all external processes, yet as in introvert, they require much inner-work. In the last 10 days, I’ve thought about grace and less-than-glamorous tasks, and that’s the first grace subject today:

Applying grace to routines

I’ve published yearly goals since 2019, so I know a thing or two about work and identity. But what about applying grace to the process of work, such as updating routines? I am a morning person and have written about my systems-based morning routine, but I have struggled with the post-work routine. Currently, I go for a walk while soaking up the last rays for the day. But after? I’m left to my own devices (sometimes, quite literally). So, I am giving grace to that and working on building different evening routines. Sometimes, that looks like reading. Other times? Connecting with my roommates or boyfriend, letting whim carry the evening.

I am also working on my night-time routine, in the hope of adding more joy to the morning. I am trying to adjust my schedule to shower at night, so I can instead take my time in the morning, where hair is no longer a concern. Blow-drying is no longer part of my routine, but what else can I do to enjoy the transition from night into morning? Use tech less, which relates to…

Applying grace to rituals

A ritual is an act within a ceremony or community. One way I participate in ritual work is by omitting something during Lent (I’ve written about giving up cheese for Lent, and I’ve also attempted going beer-free during Lent). As my anxieties around the pandemic/endemic are still real, I am omitting something a little more personal: technology in bed! While this might seem small, it’s affecting my nighttime routine. This forces me to work outside of my bedroom, such as using my laptop in a space I share with the roommates. “No tech in bed” also forces me to try different activities beyond Doom Scrolling. I’m trying replacement habits like reading before bed, meditating, and drafting blog posts. I even purchased a battery-powered alarm clock (pictured) for a few bucks. But, some self-awareness: I still use my phone for backup, as if I can’t trust the clock’s one function and somehow still trust the phone. Tech dependency is very real.

While March in the States also has St. Patrick’s Day, instead of celebrating with shamrocks and alcohol, I went to my friend’s home in Seattle. I tried to give grace to this new-to-me space, as it was a break in the routine for both of us. We enjoyed some rituals together, such as taking her doggo to a beautiful park/forest (the main picture of this post!). But we also took a break and went to Pike’s Place for snacks and the original Starbs. We respected each other’s time, which gave space for my daily walking routine.

Giving grace to roads

Giving grace to neglected thoughts means giving space for them once again. What have I not given space to? The roads. Last week’s Seattle adventure was a great break from my routine, but there is a comfort in knowing a space is home (I just celebrated 8 months in Colorado). For example, after my extended weekend in Washington, I discovered a new-found appreciation for my work commute. While this drive to work has fluctuated from 20 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic and weather, it is satisfying knowing which turn, street, or light comes next… Perhaps because it is another known routine? I am also giving grace to driving itself, adding classical music and the (pictured) necklace on my dashboard to ground me. Driving has given me time to meditate on grace and the day ahead, allowing questions like, how will I show up today?

I can’t know what’s ahead, but I do know life provides no wrong turns… Even on the road. Life is a contradictory, beautiful, and confusing practice, but I don’t have to go at it alone. Dear reader, my hope is that you’re exactly where you need to be. If you need to move, mentally and/or physically, I hope you can access the resources, rituals, or relationships to do so. In fact, I’m glad I could help my boyfriend move this weekend, symbolizing the start of many new adventures.

Over to you: what’s your current season of life? Are you committing or omitting routines? Are these rituals done individually or collectively, such as during Lent? How can you give yourself grace? Looking forward to your comments and see you this Wednesday for another #womxninprogress post or on March 30^th for my last “r” application of grace!