Nick Bare

But when we become over-optimized and every part of our life has a routine and a ritual and a habit, I think that's actually a more dangerous place to be when we're over-optimized.

Routines don't actually limit us by themselves.

They limit us when they quietly turn into autopilot.

When we become zombies, we become autopiloted because our routines walk us through every part of our life.

That's when it's a problem.

That's when it limits us.

A few notes on routines.

I'm not saying routines are bad.

Routines can be great, but if routines are placed over responsibilities and we find ourselves in autopilot, they can become bad.

And they can lead to a hurried and rushed life where we actually stop living life itself and we're living for the routine.

Routines can trade awareness for efficiency.

The brain loves routines because they save energy.

Once something becomes habitual, the train stops evaluating it.

Routines can create identity cages.

Over time, the routine becomes your self-concept.

And once identity locks in, change feels unsafe.

Routines are good servants.

I love this.

Routines are good servants because

but terrible masters.