You Don't Have to Use This Time to Do More
There has been an insurmountable mountain of recommendations in the past few weeks of how to spend your time in quarantine. I even released a piece with ideas a couple weeks ago. An overwhelming number of them recommend using this time to learn a new skill, tackle the project you’ve been putting off, or invest in self care.
For some of us, having this extra time might be the exact kick we needed to be more productive or to invest in something new. However, for some of us, this might be the exact kick we needed to slow down.
And no matter what camp you fall in on this - it’s totally ok.
I’m almost completely split. I am typically super future focused. I’m constantly planning what I’ll need in the future, and what I can do to accomplish more. So, to a certain extent, I do want to take advantage of this time to check off all the little outstanding tasks I’ve had on my plate for awhile, but I also think to myself - when am I going to not be expected to do anything ever again?
This whole quarantine thing might be unprecedented and generally unpleasant, but it might be the only time in my life there’s no social pressure to be doing anything - which means I feel allowed to relax my expectations of myself a little bit.
Before all this went down, I was busy. Don’t get me wrong - I enjoyed being busy and got a ton of stuff done. Furthermore, my natural productivity cycles dictate that I am more productive when I have more to do in a day. Seems backwards, but there is actually research on the topic to prove why this happens. However, before Coronavirus, I had social engagements meshed in with work, so inevitably, I’d have to keep working in evenings or during weekends to get all my personal and professional goals accomplished. Additionally, I took on tons of mini projects for work or with others to stay involved and keep busy.
But now I don’t have any of that. I get everything I need to get done for myself done in a normal span of time because there are no extras now. So I’m torn. My body thinks it should be productive all the time, but there’s nothing left to do - so am I allowed to relax?
Could I choose to take on more? Absolutely. I could pick up another skill, hobby, or project. I have the time. But the thing is - I don’t feel the need to. I finally feel like I’ve been able to catch my breath and focus my energy into the things I wanted to finish rather than getting caught up in distractions disguised as opportunities.
So no thank you. I don’t want to also learn Japanese, or google analytics, or try that complicated recipe, or start another venture just because I’m stuck inside. Turns out, with the way I’d been living, what I was really looking for was some time to not focus on producing something, moving forward, progress, and accomplishment.
For better or worse, this whole ordeal has finally given me the opportunity to live in the present just a tiny bit more, and I see no reason to not take advantage of that while I have it. And if you feel the same, then embrace it. You don’t have to use this time to do more. It might finally be the perfect time for some of us to do less.
Also please enjoy this little list of the dumbest little things I enjoy about quarantine - small wins, you know?
Pressing elevator buttons in my building with everything other than my hands/face (elbows, knees, basically like an annoying child)
It is socially acceptable to cross the street to avoid people, love that
Somebody somewhere near me sings Hallelujah from Shrek about once a week during the day and I can hear it super clearly through my window and I have no idea if that was happening before Corona but it’s nice
Coronavirus memes - they’re terrible but also comedy gold
The passing thought that face masks kind of turned into a fashion trend in asia way before this due to protection from pollution/smog and now I wonder if they will stay on as a trend in the rest of the world….
currently hardcore wanderlusting for my lack of responsibilities when I go to Greece - exemplified by this photo