Who or What Steals Your Time?
There are many things that conspire to steal our time. I’m so “busy” is the new “F”-word! Time is the most precious thing that you have and it is NOT replaceable.
If I over identify with busy-ness then I am missing out on being present in my life today. So, am I really THAT busy? For myself the answer is sometimes yes but mostly no.
Last year after vacation, I got back and realized that I had not watched TV in over three weeks. It was a slowly dawning realization I had when I got back. I was putting on my make up for work, (which I usually do while watching TV) and I realized that I had forgotten what shows I had been watching and did not just automatically turn on the “boob-tube”, as my mom used to call it.
As I distanced myself from vacation and added a little bit of TV back (only a little), I realized that there are actually many things that steal my time making it seem as if I am “so busy”.
Here are some things that might conspire to steal your time:
1) Perfectionism. Trying to be perfect in anything, let alone everything, will steal your time as well as your self-esteem and joy.
2) Television. I tend to zone out and binge watch but when I choose just one hour of TV I realize that I am much more picky about what I choose to put in my brain. A trick is to turn on music instead. It is much more calming to me and also I can do things that bring me joy like craft.
3) Social Media. Don’t get me wrong, I like social media and it is a fun way to keep in touch, get support and needs met, and see what family and friends are doing but it is sneaky. Before you know it, you are down a slippery rabbit hole of time lost by farting around.
4) Alcohol. While a nice glass of wine to relax here and there or a fun night out are great, drinking often can become your slave-driver.
5) Electronics. Whether on your phone or television these can be a sinkhole for time because they are rigged to give you a “win” at intervals which tricks your brain into wanting more and continuing to get the next one.
6) Needy Friends. Relationships are necessary to human mental health. But if you have a friend that is needy all of the time or talks and complains all of the time and doesn’t ask you any questions, you may be in a one way relationship that is a time sink.
So, what steals your time?
With the exception of perfectionism, none of these things are dysfunctional in and of themselves and everyone needs to check out and put the brain in neutral. My goal for this article is for you to start to be conscious about your habits and whether or not they are in charge of you or you are in charge of them.
As I realized with TV, I am not so busy that I cannot keep up my meditation practice, or call a friend (what a concept!!!) or write out a handwritten thank you note. I realized that I was checking out and “choosing” TV over my meditation practice. Too busy can become an excuse. At least for myself. I welcome your feedback, thoughts and comments on this topic:)
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