As I can only ever dream of being a character in a novel or film (preferably a romantic one), the word ‘routine’ has always lacked a certain appeal for me. You don’t read much about structure and routine in romantic novels because, frankly, it is a bit boring to talk about. So I am very surprised to find myself praising ‘the comforting joy of routine’ in this article. After all, how can one thing which is repeated over and over bring us joy?

At the risk of sounding dull, I discovered oatmeal about four months ago. I was in quarantine back then, so the lovely catering team would leave meals by my door. Everyday, I would look forward to this moment. The delivering of meals soon became a ritual, I was always eager to discover what I would find. Although I chose the meals online, as I am French, some foods were still unknown to me. Oatmeal falls into this category. As cliche as it sounds, at home breakfast usually consists of croissants and pains au chocolat.

“After all, how can one thing which is repeated over and over bring us joy?”

I do not have anything against trying new things – and I seize this opportunity to say that despite what some people may say, I find English food really nice – but I was a little bewildered by oatmeal at first introduction. It came in a strange little pot, and my immediate thought was that I wouldn’t like it. Anyway, it’s safe to say that it surprised me. Oatmeal quickly became an essential part of my morning ‘routine’ as I found out that I absolutely LOVE it – so much so that I began to wonder how I have lived all these years without it. Oatmeal is incredibly smooth, warm, and comforting, which makes it the perfect meal to kick off the day. And so despite my eagerness to banish any (and I mean – any) form of routine, I began (unconsciously at first) to keep the same morning routine. It always started with lovingly preparing my pot of oatmeal. Actually eating it occurred a bit later as it is always too hot at first.

“And so despite my eagerness to banish any (and I mean – any) form of routine, I began (unconsciously at first) to keep the same morning routine”

Despite my numerous reservations, this morning routine has proven to be unbelievably precious and valuable. As everything has felt so fleeting lately, oatmeal for breakfast has become one of the few things I can truly rely on. It also encourages me to get up in the morning, because I’m often tempted to just stay in bed all day. My general attitude is: why bother waking up to spend the day studying when it feels like the global clock has (momentarily) stopped ticking? Of course, though, the truth is that there are a million reasons to do so, and it starts with a lovely morning routine.

The first thing I do when I get out of bed each morning is stretch. It relieves tension, increases blood flow, and more generally prepares your body for the day ahead. Then – and this is yet another of those new year’s resolutions that I only occasionally achieve – I do a bit of yoga and/or meditation. They’re supposed to be very good for you. I’d love to try and read more in the mornings too. For some reason I usually read in the afternoon or in the evening before sleep. And yet as it feels so lovely to end a day with a book in hand why shouldn’t we start it in the same way as well? All I am really trying to say is that with some stretching and yoga, you won’t fail to help both your body and mind to prepare for the day.

What next, then? Well, after having a wash, it’s time to dress. Personally, I never plan what I will wear the day before, simply because I never know in which mood I’ll be in. Once I’m suitably dressed according to whichever mood I wake in, I am finally ready to enjoy breakfast. Even though I do love a good cup of tea (who doesn’t?), I always have coffee in the morning. And so this all brings me back to oatmeal. Although I find it delicious and couldn’t recommend it enough, I do not expect you to fall head over heels for oatmeal from this article alone. In fact, I’m sure that oatmeal is not quite so groundbreaking for many of you who will have known of its existence for years.

If nothing else, I just hope I’ve shown you that morning routines are actually not so bad after all – and this is from an extreme routine sceptic. Now all that you have to do is find your own oatmeal; something which will make you as eager as I am to wake up in the morning and start a brand new day.