Why do I do that?

My mother was a slave to her routines. When I had five children at home I had to be pretty organised. Now I am retired the only routine I have is set around my activities. Choir practices, U3A, bowling, exercise class and aqua-aerobics all have their set times. Socialising with family and friends, gardening, walking, reading, knitting and some tv watching is my next priority, and I eat when I am hungry, regardless of the time.
Clothes and bedding are washed when the basket is .full, and shopping and housework fit in around everything else, as required. My house is reasonably clean and tidy, and that suits me just fine. Doing something interesting is much more fun than doing chores.

I never found the need for routines. I do what I want when I can and according to what mood I'm in. There's a load of things pending, though, waiting for those rare times of patience!

I used to have a routine, but these days do anything on any day. I just try to fit stuff in around my activities, and if it doesn't get done on 'the day', then it doesn't get done and I don't worry about it. Although I still like to go to Sainsburys/M&S Food on a Friday for coffee and shopping. Activities now come first and other stuff is as and when; only have a good blitz when I'm expecting visitors; washing gets done when the laundry basket is full, no special day.

School uniform washed Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
My bed Monday, kids beds Wednesday.
Towels Friday.
At least one other load of washing per day too with sports kit and swimming attire.
Clean downstairs daily and upstairs once a week on Wednesday.
Shopping Thursday.
My girls are at a Catholic school and have a roast on a Wednesday and fish Fridays, plus another cooked supper and Sunday lunch on a Sunday.

No wonder I'm shattered and in bed by 8 looking at that list is making me exhausted.

The school holidays have been fantastic. Less washing and no getting up at 6!

My routines are based around social events: ladies club, gardening club, crafts club, lunch club, church coffee morning... I sort of fit household chores loosely in between my going out!

It's almost 7pm and I'm about to pour myself a chilled glass of vino. I love my routine!

I have a lot to fit in, so routine is important to me. I always find the more time I have, the less I do, because I think I can always do it later, so when I retire, I’ll probably turn into a right slob!

I like to think I have a routine but something always crops up and I say to myself "I'll start carrying out my plan next week".

I volunteer on Tuesday but apart from that the only routine I have is to start my diet on Monday, every Monday ?

I volunteer three times a week at a community garden but, apart from that, I do WHAT I want WHEN I want. It's lovely!

I have always had set days for tasks, in order to minimise the time and thought I had to spend on mundane jobs. However, I have moved days around. So when I was working I did the cleaning on Sunday evening, now I do it Monday AM.

The other advantage is that if one week I can't follow the plan, I can just ignore it and get back to the mindless routine the next week. For example, no cleaning this week as we only got back from holiday late yesterday and I am busy unpacking sorting, cropping and processing the veg patch. If the house gets visibly scruffy during the week I will ignore it, knowig it will get done next Monday.

I usually do the washing at the start of the week.

The bulk of the household shopping on the day my pension goes into my account and the following day.

Mow the grass during the first week of the month.

Wash floors on Saturday.

And never hang washing out on a Sunday or Good Friday.

No, no special days for housework or gardening, I do it all as and when.
Certain days for looking after grandchildren after school, or doing a school run though, and for clubs.
See friends when we all feel like it.

What do you mean "a bit of a slob"?. Dusting and hoovering only takes place in my home if I think any one is going to visit. I am constantly surprised by people who have rigid routines. They were impossible when I worked full time and now I am still too tired .

I too am very predictable .when I look at my diaries I seem to do the same things at the same time each year .I don’t plan it it just happens . Nothing wrong with that my life is busy

how different we are!
Beigecardigan, your story reminds me of yoga class when I see someone in MY spot on the floor.
Oh dear, I see the signs.
Note to self: relax and take each day as it comes.
I have to have at least one small achievement per day even if it means getting out of bed and getting dressed and making my bed. I have always done that actually. I imagine that if the bed is made the room looks tidy.
We host a lot of young volunteers and I judge them and their parents by the state they leave their rooms!!

No routine for me but when I lived at home I'd know what day of the week it was by what was dished up for dinner. My mum had a routine.

Nope not at all.

No definate routines since retirement, except watering the indoor potted plants on a Sunday, this is just to remind me really.
A club on Monday and one on Thursday, washing whatever,when its needed, hoovering, well thats Husbands job he does it when it needs it.
No set menu, eat what we want on any day
Life has become easier!

I work Mondays and Tuesday mornings. I volunteer on Thursday mornings and every 3rd Wednesday morning. Fridays I do most of my housework and extra bits as and when. Book club once a month and the rest of the time I do as I like

. Usually see family regularly on weekends which is lovely but find I still have lots of time for reading, knitting, and crosswords which I love, and usually have music on the days I am in.

I try to have a basic routine for housework. For others the weather can be a big influence. In the winter if its dry I'll forgo anything in the house to get outside.

That's my problem. I have no plan or structure routine to my life. For many years l have been so disorganised when l used to be so organized. I'm going through a difficult time at the moment and l can't think clearly about anything. The simplest of tasks feels like climbing a mountain.

No routine at all. I’m grateful if my eyes open in the morning and just take it from there. Being retired and widowed, I’ve nobody to please but myself.?

Since I retired I have no time for a routine! I'm heavily involved with the WI and some other local groups so my diary gets quite full. I also help my siblings with caring for mum (who has Alzeimers) and rely very heavily on the diary in my phone to plan my time. Housework has to fit in around my social life! As I live on my own, it's up to me and sometimes my house is a mess but when visitors are expected, I have a mad dash cleanup!

I have one rule though, once something is in my diary, that event takes priority and I don't cancel it if I get a better offer!

No routine at all, housework whenever but I was never a domestic goddess.

Since I was widowed I can please myself, eat a healthy diet but don't have to cook for some-one else, sheer bliss.

I tend to do more things on impulse, if the weather's good I may just decide to go out for the day or spend a day in the garden, either gardening or sitting reading a book.

I love the freedom & whilst I do have some health issues I'm living life to the full whilst I can. The dust will be there tomorrow