Routines are good and necessary things.  At the very least, they can be scaffolding and safeguards.  Without care, though, you can fall into the unfortunate side of a routine: the rut.  The rut is a good thing turned into drudgery.  And the harder you work at it, the deeper in the muck you get.  At its best, though, you move to the other side of the routine life: the groove.  There’s meaning, purpose, and passion there.  The groove is optimal and should be something like the norm.  At least that’s the hope.