I've been struggling with routine lately—I want out of it. I've been fighting against doing the same things at the same time every day, but with only so much time in the day and animals to care for, routine is necessary. 

And maybe part of me doesn't want to change the routine until my hand is forced. 

Recently, Dash decided for me.

We walk twice a day. The morning walk is very early, right around sunrise in the summer and before it in the cooler months. The afternoon one is usually longer and is when I listen to an audiobook or podcast while they bounce around the fields on long leashes sniffing and hunting the creatures that live there. .

During our morning walk a month or so ago, Dash just stopped walking. He didn't want to go forward, nor back, wasn't limping, nothing in his paws, he just wouldn't walk. 

But he did indicate that he wanted me to pick him up. (He's 33 lbs., carryable, but not for too long)

I couldn't really carry him over half a mile home, down the road, in the gloaming, while also walking Cedar, who walks fast. It just wouldn't work. 

I managed to get him home, but he did the same thing the next day. 

On the third day, I didn't take his leash out in the morning with Cedar's and instead put Dash outside with Nyssa while I walked Cedar. He didn't balk at all, just trotted outside in the cool morning with his big sister. 

And he's been happy that way ever since. I thought he'd be off the wall with energy, or start to gain weight with one less walk, but he hasn't. In fact, he's been happier and more engaged on his afternoon walk. 

He knew what he needed, and he found a way to communicate it to me, in no uncertain terms, so I had to listen. He was done with the routine morning walk, and he was none the worse for it. 

As a result, I have made a few small changes to my daily routines to keep me engaged and feeling less in a rut. I take an hour and weed my vegetable garden before sitting down at the computer or play a hidden objects game during a break instead of scrolling socials (keepin' those eyes sharp 👀). 

When I change something up, I feel less constrained, less regimented. I forget how energizing it is to shake things up because the routine is so powerful. 

If you are feeling stuck, try changing something small and noticing how you feel after. Dash and I bet it will be better. ~