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How do you feel about routine?

3874 Views 34 Replies 29 Participants Last post by  Reila
I've read many times on threads or in articles that ISFPs hate routine and structure and would rather just do things 'whenever'. I've seen people use how comfortable someone is with routine or repetition to determine if someone could be an ISFP. It got me thinking because I love, need and implement structure and routine. I wake up at the same time, have the same morning routine, same shopping route and systematic way of working round the isles, and evening routine for example. I feel much better if my days have a plan like knowing what time to have each meal, where I'm going and when. It makes me sound quite J like (I considered ISFJ but I've discussed my functions in detail with another member and we're pretty sure I'm an ISFP) and I've seen ISFPs or people describing ISFPs say how they hate repetition. What's your stance on structure and routine?
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It's fine to an extent, but I don't want it all day every day.
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I have a morning "routine" (not a very good one, mind you) and my days are timetabled cause I'm in full time education but having to deviate from my routine or do something totally different won't faze me at all, if anything I'd probably welcome the change. Starting new, good habits can be difficult though... In my spare time I basically just do whatever whenever I want to q:
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I don´t like it per se, but I do think some structure is generally good for people...it makes them feel more stable. Like for example, going to work every day, I think it´s healthy.
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If someone cannot feel excited to even ask "What's next?", one would usually end up asking "what's the point?" It's not about the routine that I hate. To be honest, to be given a routine to follow is no big deal. It's just that, at some point, while I do the same thing everyday, I have to ask myself "Am I getting somewhere or am I just getting by?" People often talk about having a sense of security in knowing what they gonna do next on their list of agendas. I get that. I am a practical person too and I think it's also an efficient way of spending our time wisely. The only point of difference is that I cannot live with just one option knowing that the world offers a variety of choices for me to live by. I keep an open mind for a better opportunity that comes my way. Routine is only only a guideline; not a crutch.
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I often develop my own little routines and they can be good for helping me stay focused or disciplined. That said, I like to have enough variety to keep things interesting too.
I like to plan. I LOVE to plan. Having an image in my mind of roughly how my day will be organized gives me a sense of control over my life. I mostly use "milestones" though.
For example
 
i know that i wake up at 6 and i have to walk the dogs by 7 and leave for work by 7:45. Between 6 and 7 i am free to loosely do morning things that i want, anf for how long i want. Sometimes i even end up past 7, but I'm fully aware that either the dogs will be walked less, or i will leave late. It's up to me but i can change my priorities as i go.

I use planning and routine as a track that allows me to be aware of where and how much i can deviate from it.

Also, I like to have things customized to me so sometimes i ~feel~ (used improperly here to express some kind of vibe i get of preference which could be based on nothing concrete, but also just comfort) that my phone in the car has to be in a specific place, or that I should start washing myself from one part of the body instead of another one. And that may stick for some time and then one day I ~feel~ different, or i'm bored and tired of that order and switch it up etc...
Like @Notus Asphodelus said I keep an open mind for better and more satisfying ways.

When other people try to cage me in their routines, though, i feel oppressed and i find really hard to just accept it. I like to be free and indipendent to manage my time and stuff in my way.
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I need some routine, but not a lot of structure.
I can't stick to a structure and don't like doing things I don't want to in general. I do plan a lot, pretty much throughout my day. I had an ISTJ dad so he kept me in line and taught me hard work and discipline. As I got older though that fell apart
I think a basic amount of structure can be good for a person, but personally, I have so much trouble staying organized and keeping any type of routine or habit that isn't enjoyable to me. I definitely have routines, but they are basically really relaxing, they don't really help me get anything done. The routines are very comforting and about soaking up small experiences that I really enjoy, like leisurely drinking a couple cups of coffee in the morning or taking a walk along the same route I always do taking in familiar, pleasurable sights and looking for things/details I have missed before. But naturally, I am very unstructured and very go with the flow.
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I dont like too much of it. but it is ok.

Repetition is a Si thing after all.
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Routine is a necessary evil. I avoid it whenever / wherever possible lol. Variety is my happy place.
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I like flexible structure. The tree that doesn't sway with the breeze is the tree that snaps.
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At work I like routine. I have a cleaning service, which I work with no employees. Therefore I experience long hours of mindless work which can suck the brains right out of one's head.
Routine at work lets me think, post on Personalitycafe :p, listen to audiobooks, podcasts,music etc.

In my personal life I enjoy short term structure such as the best way to use a day off. But otherwise let life unfold.

But I also avoid structure in anticipating an upcoming event because too much planning limits flexibility.

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The funny thing is that I don't like routine, but I realize that I feel more fulfilled or better about myself when I have a list and complete it. I just wish that my lists weren't all the same everyday. If I could maybe have different things to do everyday that be great. But I still need a list to feel like I have had a productive day.
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My usual mode is to just go with the flow. But when out of nowhere I thought of something I want to do, I go for it. I don't really have a routine per se. My days are very flexible, well except for working hours. I just do whatever I felt like doing. Depends on my mood. When I'm overly stresses though and can't juggle my responsibilities and wants like I need to, I plan. My Te takes over and makes me do lists. One by one I do things and cross them out. It kind of calms me down so don't get overwhelmed by everything. When it is still not enough though, that's when i plan to get the fuck out of town and go to the beach or climb mountains. Wherever I feel like going to, as long as it is close to nature and away from the city mess.
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I use routine to simply stuff I don't like to do but have to do. If it simplifies things to give me more free time then I'll go with routine. There is a bit of a focus on efficiency for me. When it is something enjoyable and fun, then I love spontaneity. It saves me from depression because it reminds me that you never know what a day will bring.

The level of routine that is considered 'normal' in society is extremely oppressive to me. I don't think I could work the same office job every day and watch the same comedy every night. I'm a music freelancer, so everything about my life is very chaotic and about to topple over, so I do apply structure and routine enough to maintain that life, but each day is different for me.

I also love the feeling of breaking a routine. Sometimes it is worth having a routine just to get that feeling. Sometimes I will make very impetuous life choices - like driving across the country to move in with an online relationship. I have made crazy big risks in my life and they each turn out differently. I have one funny quirk - I LOVE dropping classes. I have sometimes started taking a class, the professor is too overwhelming or oppressive, and then when I drop it I get a rush. (I have been in school and completed graduate degrees, but I still love that feeling). I thought it would be hilarious to always sign up for Abnormal Psychology and then drop it every semester - just to see if they could come up with a name for the disorder. Okay, I'm done being silly (truthful, but silly).
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I wish I was better at sticking to it sometimes. Like when trying to stick to working out at a certain time daily, or if I'm trying to stick to a meal plan.

But I could never live by one all the time, no. I would never do anything fun and interesting, or rather, it would rarely happen.
The funny thing is that I don't like routine, but I realize that I feel more fulfilled or better about myself when I have a list and complete it. I just wish that my lists weren't all the same everyday. If I could maybe have different things to do everyday that be great. But I still need a list to feel like I have had a productive day.
Exactly my point :) With a list I'm more productive and effective, because I know exactly what to do but filling every hour of life by things to do, do always the same and cannot change plans are my the worst nightmares.
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I have a cleaning service and I like routine while at work. Because it leaves my mind free to listen to books or music or think
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