It’s been a good week. Over the weekend, I had a few visits from neighbors, and I got to spend New Years with Solin’s family, which was just wonderful. I tried my best to make the weekend a weekend, and consider what Saturdays and Sundays here might look like, instead of working straight through. It was nice. My big projects didn’t progress very much, but I did other things, like read, rest, and visit.
The last several days I’ve been cleaning house. Growing up, I spent a lot of time cleaning houses—houses we were moving into, houses we were moving out of, and my grandparent’s rental properties. And no, I am not bitter 
Those days (and nights) of seemingly never ending work taught me a lot. They taught me how to properly clean a house, for one, but they also taught me how to tackle a project, and how good it feels to finish. So, the most natural step for me as I make this house my home, is to clean it.
There is something in the cleaning that makes a space your own. As I washed the walls in the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms, I thought about all they memories that were made here before I came, and all the memories that will be made this year. As you clean, you are setting up the space for yourself, but you are also preparing for guests and visitors. You clean so that they will feel comfortable, so that they will feel at home. I have been treated with such hospitality in the month that I’ve been here, and I am excited to have a space where I can pass on that kindness.
Even with all the cleaning, I’ve been settling into a bit of a routine. This is the first time I think I have ever been this intentional about it. Usually life feels too busy, or like I don’t have enough time. So far, I’m really enjoying the intentionality of it all. I’ve been working on big projects during the day, and at night, smaller personal projects that don’t need daylight. This week it was the house and flower beds during the day, and yoga, Spanish study, mandolin practice, reading and writing at night. I know things will change and shift over the next few months, but I am feeling like I will be able to do all the things I want to do while I’m here because there is time for all of it.
That said, I can’t help thinking about the difference between a routine and a rhythm. I’ve been using the words interchangeably as I go about my day, but there’s a subtle difference there I think I’d like to explore. What do you think? What is the difference, and what are the implications it has on how we live? This weekend I’m looking forward to bread baking, maybe a little painting, and more visiting with neighbors. We just might be getting a few visitors in at the end, so I’ll be getting ready for them too!
Happy end of the week, to you! Until next time,
Mariah
A little trail on our property
i love that question mariah. i think that perhaps a routine is a type of rhythm. a routine explicitly involves repetition at some level, whereas a rhythm is a more categorical observation about the pace with which one approaches projects and time. my 2c!
Mariah – I really appreciate the fact that you express yourself so beautifully through this medium (the term blog sounds so dreary to me, and your thought process here is the farthest thing from dreary!) I too like the question that you pose. As you might expect, I think about life and living in musical terms quite a bit…….
For me, I could look at life as a long piece of sheet music. Routine could well be the basic structure of the piece, the notes on the page. I see rhythm as the way in which the structure and the notes are felt, interpreted and played!! The rhythm, to me, is what brings the notes to life – makes the notes rich, vital – and yours alone! So, as such, I can’t really see routine and rhythm as separate entities!!
What do you think?
Blessings to you from the Oregon Coast
Uncle Lamar
A rhythm moves you…
Thanks for helping me think about this you guys! And Uncle Lamar, I love the music ideas. Can’t believe I hadn’t gone there with the word yet…
It seems like the two really go hand in hand. Routine actually has some negative connotations for me—It sounds boring, set, unchangeable. I think that’s why I sometimes resist developing one…But I’ve read some things lately that continue to stress the importance of discipline and structure in the creative process, how structure can actually enhance creativity, and I’m thinking maybe I don’t shouldn’t be so resistant to creating a routine. However, as I develop a routine here, I am also thinking about my rhythm, seeing it as the pace at which I move through my days. What is my rhythm like when things are going well? How does it change when I’m stressed or when things don’t go as planned? The idea that I could choose that pace has been a bit revelatory this week…and still I think there is more to explore.
A rhythm moves you…still thinking about that one, Ty