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Maintaining Routine in My Professional Field

Writer's picture: Kristen BrockKristen Brock

I’ve been writing in my journal a lot recently about my eternal want for routines in my day-to-day life. Journaling has become one of those few patterns that help my mind stay on track, keep calm and set my goals out in front of me in an artistic manner. It maintains a sense of control in my world of chaos.

If you know Kristen Brock, you know that routines are a rare occurrence.

I tend to be attracted to the idea of change and always surprising people. A lot of my life has consisted of big choices, dramatic life enhancements and thrilling moves that distracted me from the fact that my life, career and relationships have been anything but consistent. I assume that choosing a life as a performer, specifically a part-time traveling one, would have suggested that stability and routine might have been difficult for me to regularly achieve - and though I love my sporadic existence and unpredictable lifestyle more than anything in the world - I would love to get into a habit of incorporating specific activities into my daily calendar… things that bring me joy, peace and a security that will allow me to continue going through life knowing that I’ve got myself under control (to an extent). If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned it’s the small things. The small things are the moments in life that build real confidence. I’ve always found myself to be a very confident person and it isn’t the big successes that built that foundation - it was the motivation in classes, through comments with my peers/mentors, through my parents support - the little things is what made me who I am today and built my path for success. So, why wouldn’t simple regimes also build that for my ultimate wellbeing?


The idea of “routine” has not been a definition in my vocabulary. Routine hasn’t truly been a part of my life since elementary school. Even in middle school (and high school), I was rushed around to multiple different professional theatres, shows, rehearsals, performances… just for that congruity to end in a matter of a few months and be moved onto the next thing. In high school, it was show to show to show to show to show. Everything in my life constantly changed.

Theatres.

Shows.

Casts.

Directors (thank God).

Teachers.


College was a damn relief - until it wasn’t accessible anymore.

Studying abroad.

COVID-19.

Living off campus.

Summer jobs.


Nothing stayed. As an adult, you typically have experienced a good amount of routine and harmony from your young life to have as an example - but not me. Not in middle or high school. Not in college. Not now. Everything has always been fresh and new. Just how I liked it.


Now you may ask me… what’s so wrong with new adventures all of the time?

Don’t you love traveling for a living?

Isn’t being a performer so rewarding?

How about meeting new people?

New performance opportunities all around the globe?

Getting PAID for it? Don’t you like all of the growth through challenges?

Isn’t all of this fun?


Fuck yes it is.

But some stability would be nice now and then.

I’ve slowly incorporated a groove into this life of mine in very minor ways.

  1. Going to the gym every day. This has become a therapeutic part of my day that is solely for me and the bettering of myself, health and mind.

  2. Journaling. Writing down my experiences, thoughts and emotions has become a very fun aspect of my day-to-day actions. I love capturing events in my camera lens and being able to write about the experiences and my physical/mental changes as they are happening right in front of me. One of my biggest regrets was not physically journaling my day-to-day in high school and college. I started this right after college and looking back on those memories is so special to me! I can only imagine rereading the excitement of my younger life as well.

  3. Traveling with a life partner that strives and loves to do all of the same things I do. As a typically independent person, this has been an adjustment. I had always dated people long distance and not truly had someone participate in my life adventures. I like having someone around that gives into my passion for keeping things consistent. Like each other. He’s my constant when things are constantly changing.

  4. Calling my loved ones. I try to call a loved one in my life once a day. Whether that be my parents, extended family, my sister or close friends, every day. This is the best way I can stay in touch and share my love and appreciation for the people I don’t get to see in my life all of the time.


Small and simple! This practice of routine or healthy habits may be very minor attributes to your day. They could take minutes or hours, but I am learning how important they are to my health and growth.

I am lucky to have even achieved a portion of this in my hectic lifestyle and even more joyous to see how it is impacting my every day life.

We’ll see how long I can keep this up before I decide I enjoy other things more ;)


Cheers, babes xo



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© 2021 by Alexa Racioppi for Kristen Eliza Brock

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