I started on this journey on the 1st of Jan which means I’ve been going now for 65 days more or less. No wonder I feel like the journey is monotonous as hell. And it brought me to a wider challenge of life (especially during lockdown) that I think we all face – fairly regularly actually. It’s the challenge of having the same old, boring routine, day upon day. It may make you feel like life is boring – especially if you’re stuck or feel trapped by the same old routine day in and day out. In my instance – my ‘boring’ daily routine consists of waking up at around 430 (although sometimes this is as late as 830 depending upon what time I get to bed), and then getting on with the same thing each morning.
That’s waking up, and in no particular order, producing blog content (i.e this) as well as video content (I recorded around 60 minutes worth of content this morning). As you can imagine – as much as routine is healthy for humans, the same routine day in and day out can get boring quite quickly. During a period such as now when Covid-19 means that there is barely anything you can do in terms of variety and seeing other people – and it makes the situation a whole lot worse. Right now, even as I write this – each word is a struggle, and the monotony of doing this day in and day out is wearing down upon me. I’ve seen that over 90% of my blogs aren’t even getting any organic traffic whatsoever, and so that means 9 out of 10 of my blogs are not seen by anyone.
So the monotony and boredom with producing content day in and day out, that I’m sure most people will never read…is really getting to me. Right now, from the table where I’m sat I can see the sofa to my right-hand side, and the idea of sidling into it to have 40 winks to pass the time – and to feel more refreshed…well it appeals massively. And this is the insidious thing with your job, or your life boring you to ‘death’ and that monotony and its claws can lead you down a rotten path. Especially when you’re your own boss, and can easily cover the ‘monotony of life’ with just plain avoiding work. Anyway, if the routine is something that leads you to feel like life is becoming all too monotonous – than I’ll start by saying – I know how it feels.
This is also powerful. It’s what’s on the other side of that feeling of the monotony of life that’s worth hanging in there for. Even through the course of writing this blog post (particularly because of the boredom feeling) – I experience highs and lows. So once you acknowledge that such feelings, whether in relation to work, to your personal life, a relationship or otherwise are present – They will pass and you can find your love for your routine again.
I think this is one that’s all too easily forgotten. Every week of the year we all have a couple of days off (in most Western cultures anyway). That’s your Saturday and Sunday – and if you DON’T have those days, then you instead have another day. So even though you’re feeling a little ‘stuck’ in your routine – then know you’ve just got a couple more days (for me it’s 1-more day) before you’re due some time off. So the ‘staying power’ needs to stick only a little more in most cases until you’re afforded a break.
Well. I’m pleased because I managed to get through boredom and get this blog done. And I ultimately want to underline that boredom, monotony and feeling like you can’t be bothered to keep up with your routine are very normal parts of your journey. I hope (at least) – this gives you some insights into how you can battle these live-in demons in your routine! And just keep moving forward 🙂