Our lives are filled with the tasks we feel we must accomplish. Our to-do lists can seem endless. So what happens to the things that light us up just at the very thought of them?
I'm referring to the activities, ideas, and projects that tug at us, with invitations to make time to experience the joy they would bring to us. But how do we make that time?
I know how easy it is to think, and feel, that there really isn't enough time. Yet over the years I've found creative ways to work with time… ways that have opened up possibilities.
But first: Here’s a strange experience I haven’t been able to explain…
Whenever I intentionally spend more time reading, somehow I also accomplish more during the rest of my day. I've never understood why that’s the case. Maybe the act of creating space for something that feeds my soul also alters the energy in which I approach everything else.
What I do know is that when we commit even a small amount of time each week to something that's calling us, it has the power to begin moving something from just an idea to something that can become a reality. Small bits of time add up.
Recently, I chose to set aside a beloved project so I could focus on another creative idea that made more sense to develop first. I packed away my notes and reference materials, but I didn't want to let the project disappear into a "maybe someday” project.
So, instead of completely putting it aside, I’ve decided to spend twenty to thirty minutes each morning, to play with it before shifting focus to the new project. It’s a great way to start the day. I look forward to those playtime moments every morning and enjoy being able to witness some progress without needing to know exactly what it will become.
This isn't the first time I've played with time.
Years ago, much of The Gratitude Habit Journal was created and designed in the car while waiting for my daughter at track practice. I would get to her school much earlier, in order to avoid the traffic I’d face later on. So instead of spending more time on the road, I spent that time in the car working on a gratitude journal I ended up publishing. I made sure I always had the markers, pens, Post-it notes, and poster board in the car for afternoon pickup.
Another time, our entire family created a challenge together. Each of us… my husband, my daughter, and I… committed to spending five hours each week, choosing a personal project, close to our heart.
My daughter created a chart on a whiteboard for us to track our hours. It was fun and energizing to see how motivated we could get when one of us seemed to be making some progress towards a personal goal.
Five hours in a week may not seem like much, but over time it truly adds up and a whole lot of progress can be seen. I was able to move a big project forward.
I have learned that I don’t have to shelve a new inspired dream till the one in process is complete. I might be able to find a way to manage both, even if one is in short blocks of time, one step at a time.
That was true when I was shifting to a primary focus on writing after many years of creating mixed media paintings. As I was finishing a series of canvases, (a commitment I had made to myself) I also explored possible writing projects, chose one, began gathering ideas, and started taking notes. By the time the final painting was complete, I was well on my way and engaged in a writing flow.
Looking back, I realize I've been learning to play with time for many years. And it’s been fulfilling, supportive, productive, and enjoyable.
I invite you to play with time in ways and for reasons that work for you. Choosing small blocks of time each day or week might be ideal for you. Carrying a notebook or sketchbook for those “just in case” unexpected moments. Maybe at school pick ups, in waiting rooms, or before your day begins?
What project has been waiting for you to give it your time? What if instead of waiting for the perfect time… you get creative and find a way to play with the time you have?
If you'd like to explore another side of this subject on Time, I question some of The Stories We Tell Ourselves about time and the impact that has on our lives. You can find it on my Creative Visioning website.