Routine: Change isn't always a bad thing!

It's ironic that someone who has had so much change in her life would dislike change. It's just another enigma of my personality.  Since I moved every three or four years as a kid, one would think change would come easy for me. However, I am most comfortable in routine and tradition. For example, we always sit at the same spot around the dinner table. Even when I am home alone, I sit in my spot. Holidays are especially filled with routine and tradition...from food to activities. I just like things to stay the same. One time our old neighborhood expanded and opened a new entrance.  It was much closer for me to get in and out but I just didn't ever remember to use it. I'm such a creature of habit that even a new, quicker, better  route is just beyond my natural ability.
With all that said, therapy is difficult for those that despise change. Therapy is ALL about change.  So when I started meeting with my "superhero" (therapist), I initially felt like I'd never be able to make the changes we discussed. I would make the excuse that it was just too hard. My "superhero" gave me a great visual that helped me accept that even though it is hard, it can be done with perseverance and dedication.
Imagine a sandy hill.  As you stand at the top you roll a marble down the hill. It slowly carves a path in the sand. Each time you roll the marble down that path it goes down the hill easier and easier. It groves the path out. If you want to change the path, it takes some time and effort. The marble naturally wants to take the path that has been worn out and has the least resistance.  With work and redirection and careful attention to following a new path, the marble can change direction.
During my struggle with an eating disorder, I had lots of destructive paths I was sending my marble down.  Each day was very ritualistic.  One path I realized early on that I needed to change was breakfast.  I've never been a huge breakfast eater, but during my struggles with ED I found that by putting breakfast off I could go longer without eating. After talking with my nutritionist, I came to realize that the sooner I eat breakfast after waking up, the better off I am at getting my meals in. This was a hard path to change.  Many morning I woke up and immediately started dreading the fact that I knew I had to eat breakfast sooner than later. Honestly, some mornings I was gagging down breakfast and resenting every bite. However, after lots of perseverance and dedication and hard work, I got my marble to go down a new path.
One rare morning I woke up later than usual due to a free unscheduled Saturday.  As I opened my eyes and lay there enjoying a lazy morning, I realized I was actually hungry. My new path for my marble was ready for its run. So I got up and rolled my marble down its new path on the hill and ate breakfast!