Withdrawals?

As most of you know, I am a creature of habit. Deeply, deeply, ingrained habit. After a lot of work, I was able to kick the worst of my to-do habits (i.e. writing something on after I finished it just so I could cross it off) and schedule regiments (having 6 kids made that more than difficult). In fact I don't always use a to-do list and keep to a loosely held schedule that I write down some weeks and just follow others.

Even though I don't always write it down anymore, and don't schedule my days down to the quarter hour anymore, I still hold to pretty strong routines. From the order I clean the house to the way I fold the laundry it is always done the same. And there is one routine that is as deeply ingrained as initials cut into a tree: when I do my shopping. For the last 12 years, I have always shopped on Mondays. Sure, I may skip a Monday holiday or happen to be sick, but I bet I could count those exceptions on my hands (maybe I would have to borrow a few toes, too!). In fact, last summer I brought all 6 kids with me (instead of waiting for a time when Peter was home and could help out).

Well, starting last week (Monday holiday, remember?) I have decided to throw caution to the wind and change my routine. One whole day. That's right, I am going to try to move my shopping day to the less busy, better stocked Tuesday. That way I can do my housecleaning Monday and shopping Tuesday and have two cleaner house days. The problem? I think I am in withdrawals. I feel jittery. Not myself. Things just feel out of sorts. From Peter asking me to pick something up when I went out to making sure the kids didn't finish off the food this weekend because it has to last one more day, it feels off-kilter. But I am determined. My to-do list today includes mopping and scrubbing, not grocery lists and bagging. How long will it take to erase a 12 year schedule? I guess I am about to find out!