To make time for the things that are important, you must make choices about what you say no to or let slip away.
You are a finite human who is not limitless. I know this sounds depressing but in truth it is freedom, liberation.
You can’t do everything. You will have to say no. And sometimes, the decision to protect the time that you have will disappoint people.
You have to learn to be ok with all these things.
You are sharpening your pencil so you can point accurately towards the things that are important.
But let me tell you a curious thing, about becoming clear on what it is you want to fill your days with:
When I started to make and create as though my life depended on it (side note: I genuinely think it does), I became more productive, not less. Even if this was never the intention.
When I create, I slot back into a relationship with time that sees me moving at a human pace. Where my body, my senses, my heart, my brain can match the speed at which the creation is moving.
Which means I’ve become re-attuned to the situations where I’m not. Where the demands on my attention- of my phone, of the online world, of work that requires me to spit things out faster than my mind can manage it- creates a felt experience of unwellness. Which means I spend less time there. I am less willing to sacrifice myself upon that altar.
And as a result, I spend less time on the things that pull me into a tech wasteland vortex. I’m just not willing.
Simply put: I’d rather be drawing and painting birds.
Like this one. A Kākā for you seeking out spring flowers