Rethinking Routine ♻️ some thoughts on the psychology of daily routine

[@aleamajz]

Before I take off my shoes, I throw out any garbage or take out recycling. When I feed my cat, I clean her area. When I go to the bathroom, I will wipe the glass at least once a day. Making these associations have helped me keep my house clean. I like to knit uninterrupted so everything needs to be done for me to make tea and knit.

[@furrylittlepeach]

Making associations fot everyday movements that help maintain your life is actually really clever! Thanks for sharing! 💕

[@LaylahSilver]

The way this video is shot, how it’s edited, the music choice etc… is STUNNING! It’s so beautiful to watch and I feel so lucky to watch content so thoughtfully made. Thank you so much! ❤️

[@furrylittlepeach]

Thank you! I got a new camera and it's given me so much filming pep! 💕💕💕💕

[@lmille32]

Ive just been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and a revelation has been having to make rest a routine. I have had to build into my day naps and lie down breaks and stretching breaks. I have always been so focused on how to get more done, having to habituate slowing down, focusing on breathing, doing less is wild. But actually making it a habit is essential to recovery, and probably a valid lesson for everyone. Routine isnt just about fitting more in, its building space for deep rest and recovery.

[@helenm1085]

I got a POTS diagnosis recently which also comes with persistent fatigue and brain fog, and my life feels like it comes in waves, where rest is filling one bucket and activity is filling another. It definitely helped me to realise that I needed to plan activities that were restful rather than letting my day slide and blur... A personal favourite for no spoons is lying down and listening to a podcast, or I like to paint from a reference in silence

[@helenm1085]

Trying to write about planning rest I realised I'm in denial about fatigue though... I was gonna write that it's unpredictable, but actually my problem is that it's incredibly predictable, I just have more fatigue than I can hold, and I'm always hungry for more social stuff!!

[@lmille32]

@@helenm1085 there's a lot of crossover in these different chronic conditions. I've seen that people with ME CFS do seem to recover if they can stay under the threshold and avoid crashing for a significant time, so I'm re-engineering my life to do very little. That may mean I miss out on some social things in the mean time or some events that I'd like to go to, but my hope is if I can stay out of the waves for long enough, I can recover and start to rebuild that part of my life. I'm not sure if it works that way for POTS but I think it's worth thinking of what you can give up or do less off or streamline to divert energy back to the things that bring you joy, without emptying out the batteries fully.

[@GraciaVisscher01]

I’m always struggling with keeping a routine because I get almost defensive about it (“Nobody tells me what to do” kind of thing 😂). But a simple sentence has really changed me in this: how can you invest in yourself today? Particularly the investing of it struck a chord with me. It’s all about doing things that are good for you in long term, like you said! How adult of us 😊

[@apple.cheeks]

I Loved this video!! routines are so interesting also the color grading and filming of this video? so good

[@furrylittlepeach]

Hehe 💗 thank u angel 💕

[@birbbean]

Your relationship with Rocket is like, my goal in life. I’m obsessed with you guys. So cute. Wonderful video too! It was really interesting. 💛

[@furrylittlepeach]

I'm so grateful to have him! It makes me want to CRY whenever i think about it. And when he's in my videos and i'm editing I think about it baha!

[@furrylittlepeach]

And thank you! :-)

[@birbbean]

So cute! Oh my goodness I love that, haha.

[@OliverWallaceStories]

this is a life altering episode. thank you.

[@nico1111nico]

"your mood is the filter in which you view your life" 🤯 !

[@BriannaHasHobbies]

I love that you've posted this just as I'm learning all the same things for myself! I thought that having a routine would distract from my creative work, but in reality the lack of routine let things pile up and created a far worse distraction. When my house/workspace is clean and tidy, I don't have any of those nagging "I should really get around to that" thoughts. Instead my mind feels free and confident that there's nothing else I should be doing in this moment but create, and I feel like I can really sink into the flow state. I've made so much more work that I'm proud of as a result lately - which I'm hoping to start sharing online soon too!

[@furrylittlepeach]

That's amazing! I hadn't even thought of the mental weight of being behind on maintenance tasks and how that would affect us each day! Thank you for sharing that!

[@cremeuxkraft9019]

I'm jealous of your current natural light! It's so dark so early here already!

[@furrylittlepeach]

Yup! I love daylight savings!

[@kristelfae5054]

We are in opposite land…aka Southern hemisphere…it’s always so weird watching YT and movies based in the Northern hemisphere heading into winter when we are heading for summer and vice versa!

[@creationslandscapedesigns]

I have a morning routine for poop first, everything else second. hahaha I love watching your videos when I need a break.

[@furrylittlepeach]

@@creationslandscapedesigns hahahahha

[@naomipriddy7436]

I love the idea of routine creating safety and eliminating mental clutter. It reminds me of the idea of some people having more of a uniform in their daily life so its fewer smaller decisions and they can just focus their energy on the creative fun tasks at hand. Uniforms aren't for me, but having a routine and knowing exactly what I'm going to do when I wake up and move through the day definitely makes my brain a little quieter and happier :)

[@m00nsheep]

this arrived right when i needed it. been struggling with lack of purpose and fear of the unknown recently, maybe i just need to look at my routines in a different way

[@hannahgracestudios]

I really appreciate your perspective and also your art style is amazing!

[@francescakate6060]

Your videos always are my go to's for a cosy late evening before bed 🙂

[@furrylittlepeach]

Aw this is so nice 💕

[@emma1cho]

i’m obsessed with your girl scout top omg

[@ScarlettRoseTurner]

Long time watcher, first time commenter!!! This video could not have come at a more perfect time for me personally. I just started my own creative business as a Landscape Designer this past summer and have been feeling the lack of routine and structure in my life. I really resonate with having big meltdowns over small things because it all adds up in my brain. I will definitely be reading this essay! Thank you!

[@catrionaoldfield3489]

one little trick i do is if im making tea or microwaving some lunch, while the kettle is boiling or the microwave is going i challenge myself to unload the dishwasher or load it up again, depending on which needs doing, and race the appliances to do it before they finish. i use pomodoro timers to race the clock too (it works when im writing, i have never written 1000 words faster than when i only had 10 minutes to do it) so for me finding other little challenges like that helps get other tasks done - and using the kitchen appliances as timers works cos the dishes are in the kitchen so it all happens in one area!

[@furrylittlepeach]

It's almost like timers are like miniature deadlines. they feel as urgent as opposed to setting yourself personal deadlines by date.

[@furrylittlepeach]

I'm defos adopting your tea/microwave routine in the kitchen!

[@cassielee1114]

I do my Kegel exercises when I’m microwaving my tea 😂

[@TheDisell]

i followed a creator a while ago that talked about systems rather than routines. i really liked the way she framed it because then it can be ever evolving. like i can take a step back look at how i am already doing things and evaluate how to use the functional pieces of that system to build and transform into a more optimized and comfortable system. if im doing something repetivitvely then theres a reason for that. so instead of working against it, how do i shift it to make more sense/be more seamless. a simple example, but this concept works for more complex things too, is laundry. if i constantly take off my clothes in the living room and get annoyed at myself for never putting them in the basket in my room then put an aesthetic but functional basket in the living room. instead of trying to mold me to the system, mold the system to me. plus if its in the living room ill have a visual reminder that its full and needs to be washed becuase when i go to bed i either think "meh later" or its dark and out of sight out of mind. another thing i did was i bought a desk organizer for my doorway for mail and keys and change and stuff so everything has a home since i toss it all there anyways. the mail compartment is only so big so when it gets full its a signal i need to toss or archive stuff. if a system stops working im not a failure i just need to reassess because i might have missed a need or behaviour in my initial system engineering. lol i really like it becuase instead of sitting there wallowing in self pity about all the things i do that annoy myself. im shifted to like what are my pain points and how do i alleviate them. i am the business and the client and im in the business of making myself supported and nurtured. 😅 in short: i picture my environment as a factory and im going around solving problems like playing the computer game the incredible machine so that lil NPC me can stop bumping into obstacles and keep walking forward.

[@amywoolsey6591]

Hmm. Yup, I have definitely struggled with routines to the point that following them really stressed me out. I didn't realize it though. For several years, I tried to follow routines that helped me set goals, plan, write todos and also to journal to keep track of it all. It was so stressful. I never felt like I had captured enough, or planned effectively enough or that I knew enough. Weird right? So after years of developing systems, trying to follow routines, planning and journalling, I stopped. I stopped trying to follow a routine and capture everything in a journal or notebook. And suddenly, I could breath again. I could focus again. My brain felt free and my creative spirit and inspiration started coming back to me. Whew- what a relief! Guess I had the wrong routine ;)

[@furrylittlepeach]

Yup! This essay made me think about routine as not one type that fits everyone (before i wanted to just do routines i had heard of before that worked for others) but a routine as a broad thing that can be tailored to our needs - now that a verbalise it - duh! But i honestly wasnt thinking about it that way. So really at a minimum - I suppose we could choose the thing we find easiest to do and make sure we show up to get some of the psychological benefits of routine!

[@amywoolsey6591]

@@furrylittlepeach So true. I find that if I take a step back and look at how I'm working now, that I may have a "natural routine" - If we call that? - where I spend time creating. What I'm creating isn't written or planned out to the nth degree. It just is. :)

[@rolinamari]

i really love the part where you mentioned the connection of routine and mood. im an artist but also a wildlife biologist and balancing these is already a challenge. sometime i wish it's just that but i also live with bipolar 2. with all that on my plate, routine really does wonders and helps me not only stay on track on things i would like to do but also live my life and experience it more fully. something that i struggle tho is when unexpected things happen and i stray out of the routine -- that's when i usually struggle and then it kinda loops to a negative cycle.

[@furrylittlepeach]

I know what you mean 💗 it sucks when our minds work against our best intentions and are honestly like a solid obstacle that we need to continually work around. What systems have you created for yourself (if you dont mind sharing) that help especially when you bipolar 2 may knock you off track?

[@roseways]

lovedddd this video! i always love your long form videos, they’re so fun and make me feel so hopeful and inspired

[@mar.mar.studio]

Loved this! Thanks for sharing 🧡

[@alicechui]

What I need to hear! I’ve been struggling with routine and structuring my day~

[@cassielee1114]

Great video. I have a good routine going - read & eat, house stuff, work, read & eat, work, watch something good, maybe more work, maybe more watching good things. The work is all creative stuff that I love. But things like being social, exercise, time in nature, getting myself some new clothes, etc. are always being put off. I’ve been thinking of adopting another KZbinr’s “wellness Wednesday” idea and dedicating one day a week to doing these things.

[@meadowbrookow]

When I start to feel dread or procrastination about tasks I need to do but aren't nice to do e.g. taking down and putting away laundry, cleaning the bathroom, just clearing the sink of dishes, sometimes I have to slog through them, but once I'm done I talk positively to myself about how I feel once the task has been done, and the reward of a clothing/clutter-free bedroom, a bathroom that feels fresh, or knowing next meal time I'm just able to focus on the meal ahead and not on navigating the messy kitchen first. Funny enough once the task is done I nearly always can't help but think "wow, that task did not feel as bad as I thought it would feel!" or "this didn't take so long at all!" Over time, doing this positive thinking has helped me to boost motivation for the great things I will feel after the task, and slowly I've found it easier to do those yucky/boring activities as I have started to shift my understanding of them from "I hate doing this" to "I don't enjoy this task but the effort is worth it for [xyz reasons]." Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences regarding routine!! It's nice to know other people are going through similar things, and trying thoughtfully to balance all the things they want in life!

[@furrylittlepeach]

This is actually great to remember too! Think about the end result if you aren'r enjoyinf the process. Because really if we didn't desire the end result why would we be doing the task in the first place! Thank you for sharing!

[@NancyLiliG]

I really like this style of video

[@victorialynn6248]

Great video and book. Christmas gift for family. Love it❤

[@hiddentidesgaming]

I feel one thing that really helps me is in the past for doing art live streams, or when I was in my graphic design class, I'd rock out as much work as I could in that blocked off time that way it's strictly focused on that. Really miss those sort of days and hopefully will find that rhythm again to get myself back on that track of getting crap done. Have so many Christmas ornaments to get painted! Also happy birthday Rocket!

[@furrylittlepeach]

Mmmm! This is where i think that conceot of doing one thing at a time is important. It means even if we have lots to do we can still be present. Obviously I know there will always be times of stress but minimising that and compartmentalising what i need to do is what i'm working towards. I think in terms of psychology the confidence in myself that following routine can give me will make me more calm to not stress about other tasks while i'm working on something else.

[@furrylittlepeach]

P.s i'll pass along ur birthday wish :-)

[@rofarmer_studio]

I enjoyed this video so much!! As a fellow freelance illustrator I really miss having the accountability from someone else to ensure I have a routine, e.g. turning up to work at a certain time. I think this is what I usually find the hardest, starting my work day. Doom scrolling in the morning can sometimes turn into an hour in bed which rids me of my dopemine! Normally when I finally start, I find it easy to get in the flow and then wish that I had just started sooner. One thing I make an effort to do which you touched on, is having three spaces to work in. I’m really lucky that I have a studio but I also love working at my local library. I love picking out a new book and the best thing is when you check out a book you feel like you’ve treated yourself to something new but it’s free! There were so many interesting points you talked about in the video and I loved how you overlayed it with your week :-) thanks so sharing, I’m definitely going to get my hands on that book!

[@jennaiii]

Rocket really is the modern renaissance man.

[@furrylittlepeach]

he can do it all!

[@Emma-rs8mp]

Thank you for making this video, I really needed this right now as I've found myself in a bit of a rut for the last 6 weeks! When you mentioned about struggling to deal with change, I really relate to that! I don't know why it's a struggle but it is🙈 But luckily my recent big change has settled and I think maybe a routine is something I need to get out of this rut! I think it'll give that "101 Essays" book a go :) Thank you Sha'an!

[@woollynomad]

Love ur videos. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@Thestudsorcerer]

I live with a chronic illness and have some systems that have helped me. Biggest one is my 10% rule, where if I have the spoons in that moment I’ll do just a bit more of a certain task than I normally do (prep an extra meal, clean an extra 5 mins that kinda thing.) My thing is if I can do something while I have the energy, the future me who doesnt have capacity will reap the benefits.

[@charmainerua]

aw man, lens of fear is so real! This year I've been thinking about my energy source for getting my not-fun-tasks done. & I realized I use "stress energy" (adrenaline!). Then I promise myself a reward/ sweets.... I guess for the upset I've caused myself!😂 So I've been exploring new sources of energy, trying to make it more fun & playful. For example, I love when Cecilia Blomdahl calls cleaning up her house "Cabin Reset Day", so I've been calling it that too... even though I don't live in a cabin😆

[@gooseygatherings]

This was a useful video, thank you. I follow Brianna on Instagram but just get the bite-size parts of her wisdom, you condensing them here was great :)

[@Ninanomori]

“Accessing your flow state outside of creative tasks” I’m wondering if we think of mundane tasks or habits we want as a creative task, would that make it easier to implement more and therefore become a habit hmmm… but yea, I want to enter a flow state outside of creative tasks, that’s so clever

[@furrylittlepeach]

You know how washing urself is like a maintenance task but we make it fun with nice products and ritual? How do we do that with other maintenance tasks. I got a vaccuum i love, now i love vaccuming. I got a mulipurpose spray i adore the smell of, now it feels like treating myself nicely. Is it about treating regular things ceremoniously or figuring out how to enjoy certain things or what would make something more fun?

[@helenm1085]

Doing stuff with my hands can get me into that flow state sometimes... Like I just have to get over the hurdle of my brain wanting external stimulation, let myself be bored but busy with my hands, and then I let my mind wander ... I haven't managed to become enthusiastic about doing dishes yet though haha

[@meganlobrien]

Cheers for sharing! ❤

[@furrylittlepeach]

💗💗💗💗

[@ARTISTESSER-mc9fn]

Im a person with autism so routine is very important to me. University really helps because I have a strict timetable.

[@jodes327]

That chair plate!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@furrylittlepeach]

Should I go visit her next market and get it?!?!?

[@jodes327]

@ yes, start running right towards it! It is so simple and gorgeous! It’s a show-stopper!

[@deborahmeyers551]

I have a very good routine on paper To Do List it gets done but when it does not I move it to my next day or week in my diary 😊 lovely video as aways ❤😊

[@natashamarie4112]

Just what i needed🙌🏼❤️

[@furrylittlepeach]

💗💗💗💗

[@AndreeaEremiaArt]

Another amazing video 😊😊😊

[@chronicfish]

I LOVE your Girl Scouts jacket! 💛

[@furrylittlepeach]

Thanks! It's actually Rocket's 🤣👏🏼

[@chronicfish]

@@furrylittlepeach I love that for Rocket! 🤣

[@panix.x]

Rachael Stephen has a couple of videos talking about routine which completely changed my perspective when I watched them - she introduced me to this book called daily rituals by Mason Currey. It recounts the working routines of a ton of creatives and thinkers from Warhol to Freud. I feel like the "everything else" of a creative life is so often overlooked in the romantised idea of making - as audiences and as the creators. She has another video where she talks about the idea of the pessimistic "pot of gold" narrative of creation - our idolisation of the end result at any cost. I think so often we get lost in the idea of what we might want as audiences and creative people that we forget the creative part, the doing, and the things that enable it. It's very capitalist in a way - the focus on the end product rather than the individual's enrichment. Probably also just a by-product of the nature of art and culture and consumption - we inevitably consume more than we create. It's important to be grounded, though 😂 Great video :)

[@beansbev_]

The part about routine that I've always struggled with is how it's inflexible to the inevitable variance of everyday life. So, what I'm trying now is making a "looser" routine - not with time, but with categories. For example, every day I have a section of my routine allotted for "chores," because I won't always know what needs to get done beforehand (laundry, sweeping, etc. - even repotting my plants when they need it), and some things need to be done multiple days a week or even, depending on what's going on, multiple days in a row. I'm terrible about getting something on my mind and just rushing to it without even thinking of the stuff I left out on my desk, so knowing I'll get to it within a day is really reassuring. I'm also trying to make sections of my routine that are different categories (art vs. writing vs. lunch) the same amount of time, so that if I'm feeling the need to mix things up, I can swap morning art for afternoon writing, have an early lunch if I'm particularly peckish that day, or have a late one if I'm especially in the zone with my work. Does that make sense? Anyway, it's all a work in progress!!

[@jennifernewmanart]

I thoroughly enjoyed this , that ceramic market looked amaaaaaaazing! The candle holder animals are so cute and your cat is the sweetest muffin , whenever he stretched right out upside down in your arms made me giggle , so incredibly cute , pets are so important .my little dogs share my art journey with me every day and they always make me smile . Thanks for sharing your days with us all❤️ p.s excuse my grammar , I’m always confused where to put commas and things lol

[@furrylittlepeach]

Yay i'm so glad you liked it! 💕💗 thanks for watchin' ;-)

[@CaliforniaChicks24]

Love this video! What procreate brush were you using for your sketches in this video? :)

[@megangardner_science_and_art]

Informative and interesting video 🌟

[@furrylittlepeach]

Hehe! Why thank u! 💗

[@ginamenduni]

hiya 👋new subscriber, here. i struggle SO much with routine. im a biz owner and i work from home in my RV (little tiny baby mini 27 ft of life/work balance lol) and we travel constantly so the forces in my life are always making it tough to stick to routines but LAWD did i need to hear some of those quotes from that book (which will be DEF end up in my kindle later) thank you for sharing this absolutely LOVELY video 💝

[@furrylittlepeach]

Mhmm!!! Not everyone has the opportunity to naturally have what we typically think of as routine - but in the chaos where can we anchor ourselves each day or week. I think it's like - doing with what works for us so we can reap the psychological rewards outlined in the essay that come from routine!

[@furrylittlepeach]

And thank you! 💕

[@sufiannashazuddin7077]

LOVEEE. What is your set up for filming? What camera/editing platform? xxxxxx

[@furrylittlepeach]

@@sufiannashazuddin7077 i just got a new camera! The Lumix S9! And I edit on FCPX. most of my reels/shorts were filmed on my phone but I will be transitioning to my camera too eventually! I worked with Lumix this month for some sponsored content on ig - so the camera was a gift (just disclosing so you're aware).

[@deciphertheday]

I hide a spare key in a fake rock in the garden - saved us countless times! 😉 oh Rocket may like a song called Steady Rollin’ by the two gallants - his guitar playing reminded me of that song 🤓

[@furrylittlepeach]

I'll pass along ur song recco :-)

[@deciphertheday]

@ thanks and do tell him he’s a very good driving instructor…if it was me I’d be screaming haha but I am terrified of driving in Sydney. The third work space could be the car 😊 I always feel like I need to get things done but I find that having a task on a post it note and rearranging them in priority order works for me, definitely stepping away and enjoying nature gets the imagination going ✌️

[@moniado4043]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I relate A LOT to what you said and it's made me reconsider my daily routine, too! I have a question: how do you take notes while reading? I'd love to read more non-fiction, but it feels a bit intimidating. I'm worried I won't absorb all the information and forget everything the next day. That's why I'd like to take notes, but I'm afraid it might break my reading flow. Does that make sense? Any tips? Thank you 💕

[@furrylittlepeach]

I highlight phrases and then write in the margins or on post it notes and stick them in. I think it would be hard to write in a seperate note book! This book is an easy read becsuse they're simple essays - i really recommend it :-)

[@moniado4043]

@furrylittlepeach that makes sense, thank you Sha’an! 🙏🏻💕

[@louiselouisethebest]

Is the light yellow/beige blazer you're wearing at the ceramic market (and later in some of the video) of a specific brand? I love it! :)

[@furrylittlepeach]

It's rocket's! It's a jacket from a cowboy themed vintage store in sydney that they covered with girl scout patches haha

[@furrylittlepeach]

So i suppose you could make one!

[@louiselouisethebest]

@@furrylittlepeach THANK YOU!! :) It's so cool! Yeah Im just gonna add some patches to a jeans jacket I have. Thanks for the tip :)

[@honeyalba880]

which software do you use to make the sketch/lineart?

[@furrylittlepeach]

In this video i'm using procreate!

[@amandahilleary2581]

What book are you reading from??

[@furrylittlepeach]

Check the description :-)

[@grumble]

Thank you for your thoughts on this! I struggle a lot with chores and housekeeping on top of day job work and creative work. 100% agreed on using timers to make it easier. My brain struggles estimating how long things take and then, just like you said, I don’t want to do the dishes because it cuts into my fun time; when honestly 20 minutes for dishes is a blip during a whole day. One way I’ve tried to frame it in my mind is, “What’s a little favour I can do future me right now?” Something that I try to do in my writing is never leave myself on a blank page. If I wrap up a chapter and I’m ready to stop for the day, I at least plug one or two sentences into the next chapter so I don’t come back to an empty page; it’s like reaching out a hand through time and space. Same goes for household stuff: if I get started on sorting the laundry now, tomorrow I just have to take the hamper to the washing machine. It can be something as small as putting my shoes away into the cabinet. Most of the time, thanks to squirrelbrain, it snowballs into picking up one or two other things to tidy away. Tl;dr - Task initiation is hard for me, so framing it as a favour to future me and putting timers on things to show myself it’s not actually that huge of a time sink really helps.

[@furrylittlepeach]

Omg this is so so interesting!!! I love the idea of being a timetraveller and being friends with my "future self". Helping my future self out as I would help a friend! In the same way that we should talk to ourselves in the way we treat our friends!

[@furrylittlepeach]

I love the reading technique too! So interesting!

[@grumble]

@@furrylittlepeach Yeah!! What you highlighted about how frequent thoughts influence mood also reminded me of how it’s easier to be kind to yourself when you practise with small, every day things. I can’t be so harsh on myself for not managing all my chores after telling myself good job for what I did do, now can I 😄

[@JoseEscH019]

Im just here to apologize, I disliked the video by accident trying to hit the thumbs up button 🤍 now mi mistake is mended