The Importance of Routine

Prior to being diagnosed with Lyme disease I was not a routine type of person. I preferred spontaneity to structure. But, the importance of routine was revealed to me in the need for structure and expectations, however minor those expectations may have been. Truly, it happened without any forethought or planning. We just fell into a daily routine very early on in my treatment.

I have said this before but it bears repeating. My life felt like a horror-movie version of Groundhog Day. There was very little joy or excitement, so the structure of my routine was the only thing that kept me fighting. I really had to focus on the little pleasures, like my mornings with my husband, and the have-to’s of my day. Without those guide posts lighting my way I most certainly would have been consumed by the mundane.

Looking back at those days, I realize that parts of my routine became pitfalls, as my need for certain boundaries or expectations began to shift. My routine had to be adjusted with my progress. Boundaries needed to be relocated and expanded. Otherwise, my strict adherence to the expectations I set for myself became walls holding me hostage. I was consistently reassessing as I progressed so my routine didn’t become a pitfall.

The importance of routine

I can hear my husband in the kitchen. He’s just ground the coffee and the tea kettle is whistling. In a few moments I’ll be able to smell the coffee brewing, and Will’s quiet steps on the hardwood floors as he walks towards our bedroom. A pit of despair arises deep in my belly and I bury my head in my pillow. Another five steps, padded now that he’s on the carpeting, and I feel him sit down on the bed next to me. His weight next to me causes my body to roll just slightly into him. He puts his warm hand on my shoulder and gently whispers, “It’s time to wake up sweetie”. Another day. Another day has begun. And so, my daily routine begins…

Get out of Bed

Getting out of bed was the first action item of my routine. I hated waking up alone, so we established almost immediately that Will would wake me up every morning. Those impending footsteps into our bedroom filled me with dread. However, his smile and thoughtfulness allowed that dread to slip away. Our mornings together kept me sane. Of equal importance, it held at bay the fear and loneliness that would wash over me the second he stepped out the door.

Eat a hearty breakfast

My second action item: eating a hearty paleo breakfast. I was instructed by my doctor, much to my chagrin, to adhere to a paleo diet. No longer was my usual breakfast choice of yogurt and granola acceptable. Largely because I needed something more substantial to withstand the multiple pills I swallowed every morning. And so, every morning Will started me off with bacon and eggs. The aroma and sizzle of bacon lured me out of bed. As he dropped the eggs into the skillet I divvied up my morning slew of pills. Our conversation over the kitchen counter brought the wisp of a smile to my mouth. I feel confident that this comfortable routine of ours set my course for the day.

Sticking to my prescribed health regimen

This was really the thrust of my daily routine, by which I mean the most important part. Adhering to my doctor’s prescribed health regimen kept me on my toes. Especially in the beginning, I was taking a lot of different medications. Twenty-three pills just at breakfast. I had a mid-morning pill, that had to be taken between meals, and then another five or six pills to be taken with lunch. After lunch I could relax a little, with no more medications to be taken until dinnertime.

The pitfalls of routine

Creating a routine for yourself while battling Lyme disease is absolutely essential for so many reasons. However, that same structured day that keeps you sane and healthy can also keep you from moving forward. As I moved through treatment I found that my routine needed adjusting in order to keep me from getting stuck in a rut.

Don’t allow your routine to become habits that hold you back

The symptom that scared me most, at least as concerned long-term repercussions, was my memory loss and difficulty with word recall. Losing my body was frightening but the idea of losing my mind terrified me. And so, part of my daily routine became doing crossword puzzles. Every morning as I ate my breakfast I worked the Washington Post crossword puzzle, then I moved on to The Atlantic crossword. Exercising my brain became one of my top priorities. As I’ve talked about before, healing my body became my job. Crossword puzzles became part of my job description.

At some point, however, the need to do the crossword puzzles every day started to become a hindrance. As my body healed, outdoor recreation and physical exercise necessitated an adjustment to my boundary line. The need to spend an hour doing crossword puzzles every morning no longer applied. My memory was better, my word recall was back and this part of my routine became a pitfall. In truth, it became an excuse to avoid new challenges. I was stuck in a rut.

Challenge yourself and celebrate your progress

My body had been so unhealthy for so long that it was hard to trust myself again. I had to work hard to challenge myself as my body, and mind, began to heal. After decades of struggling to make a life for myself, only to fail over and over again, these baby steps back into life were almost as terrifying as my battle with Lyme disease. Allowing myself to move on felt like jumping off a cliff. But, I did. And two years later I can recognize how strong and powerful I was.

Looking back now, a smile spreads across my face for that courageous woman who fought so hard. I celebrate with her the day she realized she was able to shower alone again. A cheer erupts in my heart for her when she picks up a knife again to chop vegetables for dinner. With pride, I watch her get behind the wheel of her car and drive confidently to the grocery store. I’m still filled with joy when I remember that first bike ride.

The importance of a routine may not seem immediately apparent. I hope this post, and sharing some of my successes and snags, will help you as you set off (or continue) on your battle. Set a routine for yourself. It will keep you sane. But, take time to reevaluate your progress from time to time and adjust that routine as necessary. I’ll say it again, celebrate your wins and recognize the warrior that you are.