Day 20: The Rhythm of Routine

Day 2 of this experiment, and I’m already noticing how the act of knowing I’ll write about my day changes how I experience it. Am I living more intentionally, or just becoming more self-aware? Maybe there’s no difference.

Rainy morning today. The kind of gentle, persistent rain that makes you want to stay in bed five minutes longer. I did exactly that, listening to the drops against the window and thinking about how weather affects our internal landscape. Funny how a sunny day feels like permission to be optimistic, while rain feels like an invitation to be contemplative.

Had lunch with a colleague I rarely talk to outside of work contexts. Sometimes these spontaneous conversations reveal the most interesting things about people. She mentioned she’s been learning pottery on weekends - something about working with clay helping her disconnect from screens and deadlines. I find myself wondering what my version of pottery might be.

The evening commute was different today. Instead of scrolling through news or social media, I looked out the window and really watched the city go by. Construction sites and billboards, people waiting at bus stops, the way office lights create patterns in building windows. It struck me that thousands of stories are happening simultaneously, most of which I’ll never know.

Cooked dinner instead of ordering takeout. Nothing fancy - just pasta with whatever vegetables were in the fridge - but there’s something satisfying about the simple act of preparing your own food. The chopping, the sizzling, the way aromas fill the kitchen and make a house feel like home.

Two days in, and I’m starting to understand why people keep journals. It’s not just about recording events; it’s about finding meaning in the mundane.