Five Things to Make Time For NOW

I have a challenge: for a week try to make time for the things we so often overlook. I am taking a cue this week from the Thought Catalog, specifically their article: 18 Things Everyone Should Start Making Time For Again.

I have decided to list five here that I find to be the most important. Let me tell you why.

1. Writing things by hand. 

As an English major and a word fiend I am absolutely obsessed with correspondence in written form. The eCards just don’t say “Happy Birthday!” like a blank card filled in with sincere birthday wishes from a close acquaintance. I find it endearing when the handwriting is slightly sloppy, because at least it’s real and most importantly original. My affinity for handwritten letters and cares probably stems from the fact that my extended family lives in Scotland. I treasure postcards from my grandparents and I get just plain giddy when an envelope has “airmail” written on it. I get huge satisfaction in knowing that someone I care about took the time to reach out to me. It harkens back to a time when there was no such thing as an “I love you” text message or a “virtual” hug.

2. Savoring time to do nothing. 

I studied abroad in Barcelona during college and I was absolutely dumbfounded by the natives’ abilities to take an afternoon nap after lunch (traditionally known as the ciesta). It was bonkers to me to just stop and rest when there was still daylight left, which to me meant that there was still work to be done. The ciesta began as a method of helping aid digestion after the big lunchtime meal, but now it represents an important time to pause and enjoy the beauty of doing nothing. What would you do if you had an hour everyday after lunch of leisure time? At the onset it might make you feel skittish and anxious, but over time (as it did for me), you might tend to relax into the tranquility of having a sense of freedom to do as you please. Recommended reading - The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself by Veronique Vienne.

3. Disconnecting from technology.

I am one of the first to admit that my cell phone is practically another appendage of mine. I am never more than a foot away from being able to glance down at the screen (sadly even when it’s on silent mode and I’m just overcome with the desire to see if somehow I missed a text message or email alert). So here is the challenge: we leave our cell phones at home for at least several hours. It might make your skin itch not being able to check-in, but instead think about being present in real life, as opposed to logging your location on social media.

4. Putting personal health and well being first.

You cannot do anything if you are not healthy. (Duh, I know.) But how often have you actually considered what devastating consequences there might be if you were suddenly diagnosed with a chronic illness? It could happen, so put yourself first. If you need to leave the party on the early side because you know you require at least 8 hours of sleep then do it. If you get restless throughout the day, make sure to schedule walking breaks. You are in charge of your mental and physical wellness. As an adult with freewill it is your prerogative to address when your needs are not being met or if you are suffering at the expense of others.

5. Stopping to talk to people throughout the day. 

I believe that this is the most important one that we should all make more time for. It takes no more than 45 seconds to walk over to a coworker’s cubicle and say “bless you” after you hear him sneeze. Nor does it take any time to call your mom and wish her a happy day. A text message is obviously faster, but we need to remember what it means to communication verbally. If we rely solely on technology for our social interactions we may as well be robots ourselves.