We are defined by our routines, the habits that make up our days, the patterns in our lives. Making coffee in the morning. Going to the gym at noon. Dance class at 4pm.

Boxes still await unpacking and because we’re not settled,we haven’t yet established a regular routine here in California. Without jobs to go to, our days are blank slates waiting to be filled.

M. says he felt regimented by our schedule in Tampa, but I miss it. I miss Saturday morning coffee & dog play dates at H’s house. Starbucks on a Sunday afternoon with J. Meeting S. for long breakfasts. Laughing with our dance teacher. Gossiping with our trainer.

Sometimes days did feel a bit frenetic, but our schedule was living proof that we belonged somewhere.

I don’t miss Tampa, but I do miss my friends and the little routines that made up my life there. It’s hard to feel settled without the markers that informed our days.

Today’s goal: unpack my office and make it functional for writing.