I’m a changing season kind of a girl. As the season changes approach, I anticipate them with a little excitement. I live in the northeast of the United States where season change is pretty drastic. We have very long winters, long springs, short summers and short autumns (in my opinion at least).
There are some things I love about the change from summer to autumn; things like crisp air, apple picking, brilliant foliage, pumpkins, mums, cider and all the spicy scents I associate with the season. There’s another aspect that isn’t quite as obvious though; the return of routine. Summer is a little more carefree for us. On nice days I try to get out with the girls and do something fun. We have trips, short vacations, camps and excursions planned all throughout the summer that disrupt the ebb and flow of life. I like the distractions and the new, fun things but I don’t think I could take the sort of schedule year ’round. By the time autumn rolls around I’m primed for it.
I’m ready to settle back in for a somewhat predictable routine. Life calms down for a minute and I get to take a little breath. It feels good. It’s fine to let things go for a bit. My menu planning and grocery shopping were a little haphazard this past month and my cleaning schedule has been pretty haywire (read: frantically get to it when I can). Also, Chloe skipped more nap times than I would have liked, which left us both slightly cranky at times. I’m alright with those things every now and then but I’m going to feel happy about settling back into our routine. I find comfort in the predictable parts of my life.
Here’s why:
- When I have a plan and a schedule that remains similar from week to week there are fewer things forgotten.
- When my meals and grocery list are put together properly I spend less and eat better.
- When the kids are in the flow of their routine their attitudes are much more compliant and generally happy.
- When I’m in the groove of my regular schedule I feel less frazzled.
- When I have a plan of attack for regular housework that is generally the same each week, I can usually get it all done.
- When my house is together-ish and the kids are happy-ish it makes me one smilin’ mama … which makes David one smilin’ hubby.
See the circular effect here? 
Are you a routine kind of a person or do you thrive off the unexpected? What about the change of seasons? Are you as wild about them as I am? When do you love the most about autumn? (I think it’s so much prettier to call it autumn rather than fall).
Why I do what I do ~ We were in the car a few days ago when Chloe randomly asked me if she could ride the “Miracle Round.” That’s right – the Merry-Go-Round that I apparently keep in my trunk
If you enjoyed this post you may want to subscribe to free updates by RSS feed or Email.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This is the kind of year that makes me most homesick. They tell me there is foliage down here. I haven’t seen it, yet. And you are right on about routine. Got to have it.
Country-Fried Mama´s last blog ..Mama’s meanderings: Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer*
*TIME of year* oops.
Country-Fried Mama´s last blog ..Mama’s meanderings: Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer*
@Country-Fried Mama – I’ll try to post some extra foliage pictures for you
Yes, I am wild about season change, too… having so much fun getting organized for winter!
I love a routine, but will run off to explore on a whim any day of the year! I do look forward to winter and settling in around the wood stove, though.
Karen´s last blog ..
Gosh, I completely agree with you…I LOVE my routines and schedules. I finally just had to admit that one day, and I am much happier now that I’ve accepted that I crave routine and I need it to make me feel like my life isn’t spinning out of control.
And I live in Texas where there really aren’t any seasons. There’s the hot spring, VERY hot summer, hot fall, then it gets kind of cold (sometimes) in the winter. But at least you know what you’re getting when you live here!