I stole back my weird pockets of time
Oh, hi friends!
There isn't enough time...enough time...enough time!
I was tired of hearing myself say this over and over, so this week, I tried something new.
First, I highlighted little pockets of wasted time.
Then, I bunched those little pockets together.
Sounds like I’m making a weird Frankenstein outfit that’s all pockets, right? I guess I kind of am. But here’s what I found out.
All those little “pockets” of time add up to real time.
I was frittering away those little pockets on short-term satisfaction. Listening to a song here or there, responding to texts on the train, scrolling through my phone.
This week, I decided to devote my subway rides solely to reading plays. Guess what! I rode the subway a lot! And I ended up finishing two plays! (The Country Girl by Clifford Odets and The Middle Ages by A.R. Gurney, in case you're interested.)
And during my walks to the office, I listened to longer, more in-depth podcasts. Finishing one of those felt more substantive than pinging around shorter podcasts or skipping from one Carole King song to another.
And during my lunch breaks, instead of scrolling my phone, I read a play or called my mom or brother to catch up.
These little tweaks helped create a longer arc and structure to the week. By doing the same things consistently, I created a throughline.
Do you have little pockets of weird time? What can you do with them?
This baby alpaca sets a high bar.
Photo by Jen MacHarg on Unsplash
"What you think is attainable is just a function of what you know at the moment…Remember that great expectations create great capabilities. If you limit your goals to what you know you can achieve, you are setting the bar way too low.”
Our expectations can push us — but can also constrain us, too, says Ray Dalio.
What’s your biggest goal right now? If you cracked it open, could you make it bigger?
This documentary, The Rest I Make Up, about the talented, prolific, all-but-forgotten playwright Maria Irene Fornes, looks amazing. (The NYT agrees.) Playing this week at the Museum of Modern Art!
How a “noting practice” can help you calm negative thinking. (My latest for Shine.)
Do you want to meditate? Insight Timer is a free meditation app that people seem to enjoy! (h/t Nick Demos)
“With doing a show like this, it’s all about having systems in place so that you know how much energy you have for the entire rest of the day.” Loved hearing how Samantha Bee gets it all done, complete with early morning wake-ups and dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
Urgent news: Here’s how to get a cat to like you. (h/t Virginia Smith)
On taking a depth year. Yes!
Eileen Fisher opens her first Brooklyn shop and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen. (By my friend Sara Lieberman!)
This NYT profile of astrologer Susan Miller is everything I’ve ever wanted to read in my life and more.
Finally, a friend-of-a-friend is coming to the city to work on a show and is looking for a sublet in Brooklyn. He’ll be here February through April—reach out to Armando at armandomcclain@gmail.com if you are looking for a kind, polite, and brilliant actor to rent your room!
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara