Are you living your life? Or just going through the motions? Awhile ago I went to Photo Field Trip. My goal when I went to was to expand my photography business knowledge, and maybe pick up on some new habits while shooting. I left with something entirely different. It was my first time away from the kids overnight since Søren was born so I was already in a vulnerable place, but being around so many talented, creative, and honest people had a huge impact on me. I walked away knowing that I would be different, my life would be different. My life would be mine.
I started questioning everything in my life. My core values remained the same, all centered around my family. But so much of everything else was up for grabs. I made plans to change up some things with my businesses so I’d be more fulfilled and happy with my work, and adjusted other areas of my life. I re-evaluated some toxic relationships, became a little more outgoing, and even made some new friends. The progress I made was refreshing. I felt good about being myself and the place I’m in.
Months go by and up until this point my thoughts of minimalism were more related to stuff, and less related to time. I still have stress from other factors and I don’t feel like I’m where I should be. There are so many good quotes about how quickly time goes by, or how each minute is different than the one before it, but they all say the same thing. Your time is yours, your life should be exactly what you want it to be. If you are not happy doing what you are currently doing, why not do something different?
Start small. Is there something you aren’t happy with and can easily change? Something small I do regularly is to unsubscribe from junk e-mail. It saves me from having to delete it next time. After you get a momentum rolling, you can start on larger items, subscription boxes, cooking more at home, setting goals for prioritizing blocks of your time. Have you always wanted to take an art class? A cooking class? Sign up! The more you begin to take control of your time the more you will get used to it, and the better you will become at it. Ask yourself, “Why?” before doing anything and you’ll become more justified in your actions. Do you want to do that because it makes you happy? Because it makes someone else happy? Will it improve your life or the life of those around you? Is it what you need right now? Will you be more fulfilled by performing this action? Slowly you’ll learn to question yourself before doing everything, and the bigger changes won’t seem to so daunting.
Good Read: An Intentional Life by Leo Babauta
What do you want to do differently with your time?
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