Routine and Novelty

The human brain searches for two things:  routine and novelty.

This might seem odd, since those are opposite qualities.

However, it explains a lot about our choices and behavior.

We need routine because it helps us stay safe and secure.  When we follow a routine, we understand what to do next.  

Also, having a routine allows us to stop making countless small decisions that would be exhausting if we had to start from scratch each day.

Just imagine living in a different house in an unknown city, and going to a new job day after day.  The lack of routine would wear most of us to a frazzle pretty quickly.  It would be too much “newness.”

Novelty, on the other hand, is necessary.  It energizes us.  We fall in love with possibilities and hope, and novelty provides plenty of both.

When we start a new project, move to a new home, or fall in love, the novelty gives us a boost and helps us reimagine what we could have and be.  

Too much novelty is unnerving, but not enough is boring.  It’s like salt for our food - we crave the flavor, but it’s best enjoyed in moderation.  

What does this mean for creatives?  

It means we have a practical way to give our brains what they want, and then we get to enjoy the benefits.  We can cultivate routines that work for us, and tap into a sense of novelty when the creative process calls for it.

If we intentionally give our brains routines, then we won’t have to use creative energy making too many decisions that really aren’t important to our quality of life. 

Steve Jobs adopted his well-known uniform of a black turtleneck, jeans, and New Balance sneakers.  He simply wore the same outfit every day.  

It’s reported that he did this for simplicity, because it reduced the number of decisions he would have to make when getting dressed in the morning.  What to wear?  He already knew.

Jobs saved time and energy in one part of his life, to have more time and energy for things that were more important to him.

Of course, not everybody wants to wear the same outfit every day.  

This solution won’t look the same for everyone, but the point is that we figure out what we can “set and forget” in our regular routines.  Making a few changes in our habits or lifestyle can result in a nice payoff in terms of creative energy.

I recently re-listened to the audio book of, “Simplify Your Life,” by Elaine St. James.  This book was quite popular in the mid-90s, and it contains a hundred practical suggestions that range from meal planning to relationships.

It’s a great place to start for anyone who is curious about how to strategically develop routines that will make life easier.

I can’t say that I’m a great example of simplicity, and certainly not minimalism, but I have learned that cultivating a few effective routines is enough.  It gives me the necessary margin to have a bit of space for the pursuit of creativity.