If you had an extra hour, how'd you like to spend it?

Time is a funny thing.  It can move so slowly when you’re waiting in line or stuck in traffic.  On the other hand, it can go so very fast when you’re doing an activity you enjoy. It can also very easily “slip away” as we keep ourselves busy with stuff we don’t even really have an interest in. 

​Or am I the only one who gets easily distracted “researching” something on the internet that doesn’t matter in the long run?

I’m personally not much of a tv watcher but I know if the tv were in our living room (it’s not for good reason!) and turned on, it’s very easy to get sucked into a program.  At the end of the night I'd wonder why I sat there so long watching it….

Last month, we talked about making small shifts for more joy.  To continue looking for ways to add more joy in our lives, let’s do this super quick and easy exercise:

1. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and why not? Your favorite beverage! 
2. Jot down all the activities that you’d truly enjoy spending time on.​

      

​Take a look at your list and reflect:​​
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-  Which one of these activities can I do next time I have an hour?

​-  Can I do the planning to make it more likely to happen? 

- What’s holding me back from doing the activity I enjoy?

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For example, you want to do more painting but really need some more paint.  Maybe you use an hour of time to run to the art supply store and pick up some supplies that make it possible for you to actually start painting soon.

​Or, you’d love to bike to work or to run your errands instead of always using the car. Can you get your bike tires pumped up, check the weather forecast and get the appropriate gear out now so taking that bike ride will actually happen?

You can do a lot in 60 minutes!

Now if you really enjoy scrolling through your social media feed or watching a good movie with the family, please take that time to decompress and relax! But next time you’re not fully enjoying it and you're just killing time, try taking out your list.   

Even if you don’t have an hour, what can you do in the 10 minutes while you’re waiting at the dentist’s office?  Can you reach out to that friend you haven’t seen in a long time and plan to grab a coffee next week?  Of course, you don’t have to feel you need to jam-pack your schedule all the time and be productive at all cost.  Sometimes, there’s a lot of joy in just sitting and looking at a bird in the tree just outside your window. 

​But I guess that’s the point.  IF that gives you joy, be mindful of that wonderful moment, notice it and find more of those moments in between all the obligations and busy tasks on your schedule.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.  What are some activities that you enjoy?  What is holding you back from doing this activity?  Thank you for reading my blog!

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