Routine

Growing up, and especially now, one of my favorite movies has been Groundhogs Day, starring Bill Murray. I watch it every year on February 2nd (with my dad if I’m able to) to celebrate the holiday. As silly as the movie is, it quietly covers a lot of significant topics like mental health, goodwill, and love in ways that are very discreet, yet immensely relatable.

During summer, it’s easy for me to feel like Phil Connors, repeating the “same day” over and over again. I go to work, I work out, I play pickleball, and I eat. Then I wake up the next morning and do it again.

For some reason, without classes or jobs related to my desired field, it can feel kind of boring and purposeless. I know that what I’m doing is for a reason: I workout to stay healthy and I work my part-time jobs to save money. But, without the direct attachment to things that I’m passionate about, it feels a little boring.

It’s difficult, but sometimes you have to just embrace the routine you’re in, try to understand its purpose, and add in small steps that can lift you up.

I’ve started to look forward to my drives to and from work, listening to music. I’ve started to appreciate my interactions with customers. I’ve started to value the friendships I’ve made from pickleball and the gym. And, I’ve started to designate some time to write, to listen to music, to watch films, to watch sports, and to talk about those things.

Sure, maybe there isn’t as much directly available opportunities to interact with the things I’m most passionate about and in pursuit of, but I’m most definitely allowed to create opportunities for myself and allow myself time and space in my routine to interact with those things.

It makes it especially easier in a city like Austin, filled with so much heart, passion, and love through every form of art and creativity that you see daily.