There's this survey on Psychology Today called "What Your Daily Routines Say About You". They suggest writing your responses to the questions. Normally I'd do this in my handwritten journal but I can't find it right now so - here goes. 

Getting Dressed. On a typical day, how long does it take to get ready for others to see you? What does it say about you? Does that make you want to change anything? It takes me an average of about 15 minutes. I like to brush my hair and either braid it, pull it back, or make sure it looks decent down. I apply tinted sunscreen, under eye concealer, and curl my eyelashes. Sometimes I put a little color on my lips with a pencil before applying lip balm. Getting dressed takes 2 minutes. I think this says I take care of myself but am not fussy - my routine is practical. I like to look put together and feel fresh, but I am not out to necessarily impress anyone beyond making myself feel comfortable. I don't desire to change anything. 

Showering or bathing. Are you highly efficient, almost miliarily, or do you luxuirate and take your time? What does this say about you? Do you want to change anything? 90% of the time I am in and out as quickly as possible. I see showering as a boring chore most of the time. If I am going through an emotionally difficult time, I find showers comforting so I might take more time. I think this says that I am a practical person. I wouldn't really change anything. 


Eating. How much time do you spend preparing food and eating? Do you eat as healthfully as you want? Some people believe diet is crucial, others think its importance is overrated, and others are in the middle. How about you? Anything you want to change? I am careful to avoid processed foods, I cook 95% of meals at home, I avoid too much meat and dairy, and try to keep my caloric intake balanced. I try to eat mindfully. Sometimes I eat too quickly so I'd like to learn to slow down. I do feel diet is crucial. I eat at the table as much as possible. Sometimes I get cravings for unhealthy foods and I'll eat the occassional burger, fries, or ice cream - maybe once every month or two. I don't have a sweet tooth so I rarely eat sweets. I feel good overall about my dietary habits, but there's a few things I'd like to improve. 

At work.  Do you show up on time? Do you get right to work, doing the important or difficult work first while fresh? Do you focus more on quality or on speed, or vary depending on the task’s importance? Do your work products often get returned to you for fixing? Do you eat at your desk while working or do you often take long lunches? Do you stop working earlier or later in the day than do your peers? Does any of the foregoing make you want to change anything? Working from home has been challenging at times. I used to go into the office at 8AM. Now I start WFH at 9am and do often start a few minutes after 9. I am most productive either earlier or later in the day - the middle of the day I try to set aside for less mentally taxing tasks because I'm not at my best between 1-4. I vary my focus on quality and speed based on the task at hand. My work sometimes gets returned to me for fixing, mostly when I am assigned a new task or we're working on developing a new process - so I guess that's less "fixing" and more just the work of makin something new. I eat at my desk less often than I eat lunch away from my desk. I take short lunches - just enough to eat, then I get back to work. I work a lot later than most of my peers. I like the routine I've built doing WFH overall. 

In recreation, do you usually look for an adrenaline rush, for example, playing action-packed video games, watching thrillers, playing or watching sports fervidly? Or are your recreations mainly de-stressers: reading, writing, watching calming movies and TV shows, playing a musical instrument, doing volunteer work, or crafting such as needlework? Want to change? I do not look fo adrenaline rushes in recreation, though I can get excited about trying something new and adventerous-to-me. Generally, though, my recreation is quiet and contemplative: playing guitar, writing, reading, going for walks, watching comedies or dramas, cooking, etc. I would like to get outside more and get more in depth with some of my hobbies, like knitting - taking on more challenging projects. 

Bedtime. Do you follow the standard advice: Maintain a regular bedtime routine, or do you vary a lot, for example, the time you go to bed, dental hygiene, taking any meds? Want to change? Most of my life I have not followed a bedtime routine. Only in the last couple years did I start really focusing on trying to get into a good bedtime routine, and only in the past few months have I started to adhere to one really strictly in terms of what time I get to bed, as insomnia and depression were severely negatively impacting my life. I have always brushed my teeth before bed, and recently I've begun flossing more regularly. I was my face nightly for the past couple years. I'd like to continue to get more consistent with shutting down technology an hour before bedtime, and really winding down at the right time so I can get to sleep at a good hour. Sometimes I still stay up too late. I'm working on it, which I'm proud of.

The takeaway: Now review your answers. If you’re being honest with yourself, are you actually ready to change anything about yourself? Perhaps a part of your daily routine? Or might you want to make a broader change? For example, perhaps you see too much speed or too much sloth in the way you’re living. Or conversely, you might think, “I like myself and my routines pretty much the way they are.” Yes, I am trying to chagne, I have no doubt about that. Too much sloth - I think there's some truth there. I could hold myself mor eaccountable. I have a theory that life is meant to be enjoyed - but there needs to be balance with sticking to responsibilities, too. I think I'm finding that balance, but there's still work to be done.

.... Well that was a waste of time. Augh. I should have read the ending before doing this. 

Oh well.