Thanks Mayank, it's a bit morbid as a topic, but good. Sometimes we need that wake up call. Sometimes we need it on a regular basis. Someone to shake us and tell us to wake up.
Please don't doubt your skill or real world analysis commentary. They are both of high-quality. Exceptionally high. If my words offer you inspiration or solace, I'm thrilled. I'm just grateful and stumbled upon you! To be redundant, I know your words certainly do good things for me. For that I'm grateful.
Well thanks again for that, I do appreciate it. I think a certain amount of self doubt is healthy for improvement but sometimes I really do get surprised with my own writing when I read it back. I have definitely improved and I'll strive to continue!
Just read this...procrastinating and scrolling Substack on my phone. Listening to music, G&T in hand, Christmas tree twinkling, fire burning, candles glowing. I love Christmas, so make us a festive room to enjoy every year.
Pleasurable half hour but your post reminds me - I am procrastinating. Again.
I could have had that lovely half hour after I'd done several things which need doing before guests arrive tomorrow.
Instead I will be burning the midnight oil tonight, rushing about in a frenzy, staying up late and getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow - Christmas Eve - before said guests arrive doing the million and one tiny things I could have done this evening.
Time management is what it's all about and prioritising what matters...
I wish I'd learned earlier in life to use time wisely.
I'd say pleasurable activities are very worthwhile and much needed - and many would say if time has been wasted in a pleasurable way, it's not been wasted at all.
I am glad of your reminder to use time wisely. I rarely do.
I blame mobile phones. There should be some sort of national edict that they must be turned off at certain times. I'm sure most of us would achieve much more. A sense of achievement is much better than the dread of tackling stuff I have put off doing.
Lots of takeaways from your comment here. We are most definitely our own worst enemies. It's important not to be too harsh on ourselves, you are definitely right that time spent enjoying yourself is never time wasted, but there's definitely a difference between "enjoying" doomscrolling and in doing something creative.
Having written this once the jobs are done and the gifts are wrapped, the visits have been made and the extended family well and truly have outstayed their welcome I plan on spending at least one day dedicated to doing nothing. No guilt, no wondering what I should be doing instead. My gift to myself before getting back to what's important.
Thanks for reading Dee and thanks for your thought provoking comment.
This was really powerful! I’m working on the whole wasting time to apathy/procrastination/all-or-nothing thinking thing. It’s a lifelong process though, I think. What I have done is identified what’s important and am making more choices aligned with those. It’s a start and that’s the hardest part.
Starting is definitely the hardest part, but I also find that I need to read something like this, or write it, fairly regularly to give myself that kick up the behind. It's hard to be 100% all the time so regular reminders help.
It reminds me of the Justin Timberlake film "In time" where they have countdown clocks on their arms. If we had a constant visual reminder of how long we had left I think we'd all be much more purposeful with our time.
Failing a countdown, something to remind us when we get complacent that time is ticking. I have considered an hourglass tattoo on my wrist near where my watch is, but I'm not sure if I'm a tattoo person!
Fantastic. This concept has always inspired me. When I see a countdown, something sparks inside me. I can't wait to do meaningful activities. Another aspect you touched a bit is remembering it for others closed to us as well. This reminds us of not keeping any grudges towards others. Die peacefully.
Wow! This is inspiring. There is so much value in what you shared, just as I expected. Life is shorter than we often realize. I'm designing a framework for my business and personal life focused on bio-individuality, managing invisible drains, and maintaining awareness of our overall health. I began this journey last year and am dedicated to making it count.
Thanks for reading Alexandra, and thank you for your kind comment.
“Managing invisible drains” what do you mean by that? Like doomscrolling and the like? It’s an interesting term, I can’t exactly think what it is though.
I was referring to those sneaky problems that will show up as physical symptoms.
In your example, we tend to fall into these issues almost passively, but it takes a mental toll on our wellbeing. They aren't always obvious drains, but over time, they add up and leave us feeling depleted.
Thank you for these words. They inspire and might even cause a little regret. But I think I will copy this and read at least monthly...plan to forward to my young adult children. Your words do cause one to pause and contemplate.
Thanks for reading Michelle, it can sting a little bit as long as we realise that now is the best time to take control and start living, we've got a chance to start living intentionally from now.
Thanks Mayank, it's a bit morbid as a topic, but good. Sometimes we need that wake up call. Sometimes we need it on a regular basis. Someone to shake us and tell us to wake up.
I certainly woke myself up writing it!
Wise words. Every last one.
Thank you for sharing them!
Thanks for reading, I think I need to read this, or something like it every now and again to remind myself.
Please don't doubt your skill or real world analysis commentary. They are both of high-quality. Exceptionally high. If my words offer you inspiration or solace, I'm thrilled. I'm just grateful and stumbled upon you! To be redundant, I know your words certainly do good things for me. For that I'm grateful.
Well thanks again for that, I do appreciate it. I think a certain amount of self doubt is healthy for improvement but sometimes I really do get surprised with my own writing when I read it back. I have definitely improved and I'll strive to continue!
😉👏👏👏 ONWARD!
Excellent insights. Glad I saw this post before logging off.
Thanks for reading Richard
Just read this...procrastinating and scrolling Substack on my phone. Listening to music, G&T in hand, Christmas tree twinkling, fire burning, candles glowing. I love Christmas, so make us a festive room to enjoy every year.
Pleasurable half hour but your post reminds me - I am procrastinating. Again.
I could have had that lovely half hour after I'd done several things which need doing before guests arrive tomorrow.
Instead I will be burning the midnight oil tonight, rushing about in a frenzy, staying up late and getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow - Christmas Eve - before said guests arrive doing the million and one tiny things I could have done this evening.
Time management is what it's all about and prioritising what matters...
I wish I'd learned earlier in life to use time wisely.
I'd say pleasurable activities are very worthwhile and much needed - and many would say if time has been wasted in a pleasurable way, it's not been wasted at all.
I am glad of your reminder to use time wisely. I rarely do.
I blame mobile phones. There should be some sort of national edict that they must be turned off at certain times. I'm sure most of us would achieve much more. A sense of achievement is much better than the dread of tackling stuff I have put off doing.
We are our own worst enemies.
Thanks for a thought-provoking piece.
Lots of takeaways from your comment here. We are most definitely our own worst enemies. It's important not to be too harsh on ourselves, you are definitely right that time spent enjoying yourself is never time wasted, but there's definitely a difference between "enjoying" doomscrolling and in doing something creative.
Having written this once the jobs are done and the gifts are wrapped, the visits have been made and the extended family well and truly have outstayed their welcome I plan on spending at least one day dedicated to doing nothing. No guilt, no wondering what I should be doing instead. My gift to myself before getting back to what's important.
Thanks for reading Dee and thanks for your thought provoking comment.
This was really powerful! I’m working on the whole wasting time to apathy/procrastination/all-or-nothing thinking thing. It’s a lifelong process though, I think. What I have done is identified what’s important and am making more choices aligned with those. It’s a start and that’s the hardest part.
Starting is definitely the hardest part, but I also find that I need to read something like this, or write it, fairly regularly to give myself that kick up the behind. It's hard to be 100% all the time so regular reminders help.
Thanks for reading Tiffany.
Glad I stumbled upon this newsletter … good stuff.
Thanks for reading Jonathan.
Great post, Mark. I found myself nodding along to so much of this. And the poem was I definitely my bag. 👍
Thank you for reading and commenting Marisa, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
We live much more urgently when we realise how many weeks we have left Mark, I have lived about 1,400 weeks so far...
It reminds me of the Justin Timberlake film "In time" where they have countdown clocks on their arms. If we had a constant visual reminder of how long we had left I think we'd all be much more purposeful with our time.
Failing a countdown, something to remind us when we get complacent that time is ticking. I have considered an hourglass tattoo on my wrist near where my watch is, but I'm not sure if I'm a tattoo person!
Fantastic. This concept has always inspired me. When I see a countdown, something sparks inside me. I can't wait to do meaningful activities. Another aspect you touched a bit is remembering it for others closed to us as well. This reminds us of not keeping any grudges towards others. Die peacefully.
Wow! This is inspiring. There is so much value in what you shared, just as I expected. Life is shorter than we often realize. I'm designing a framework for my business and personal life focused on bio-individuality, managing invisible drains, and maintaining awareness of our overall health. I began this journey last year and am dedicated to making it count.
Thanks for this!
Thanks for reading Alexandra, and thank you for your kind comment.
“Managing invisible drains” what do you mean by that? Like doomscrolling and the like? It’s an interesting term, I can’t exactly think what it is though.
You're more than welcome :)
I was referring to those sneaky problems that will show up as physical symptoms.
In your example, we tend to fall into these issues almost passively, but it takes a mental toll on our wellbeing. They aren't always obvious drains, but over time, they add up and leave us feeling depleted.
Ah ok, well I hope your framework is up and running and keeping those drains unclogged!
Wow. This is great. You did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing this. 🫶🏻
Thanks for reading Lindsay
Thank you for these words. They inspire and might even cause a little regret. But I think I will copy this and read at least monthly...plan to forward to my young adult children. Your words do cause one to pause and contemplate.
Thanks for reading Michelle, it can sting a little bit as long as we realise that now is the best time to take control and start living, we've got a chance to start living intentionally from now.