Today’s post is sort of a mash up of ideas taken from the past few posts: sometimes I do that- compile all that I’ve been tossing about in my brain and sort of bake up an idea.

Let’s look at two themes: looking slowly and luxury.

Is it a luxury to look at things slowly? To take the time necessary to look at something?

Have we stopped paying attention because time is a luxury we often can’t afford?

Do we think our time is better spent doing other things?

My Husband is away on a ski trip. Yesterday I walked the dog, went to the gym, the farmers market and the Botanic Garden. I did some kitchen reorganizing (which I’m unsure about so I may be re organizing the reorg) I was done with this by about 3pm. I spent the rest of the night binging some fashion design show on Netflix (the one with Tan France- I don’t remember the name) and working on a jigsaw puzzle.

Have you ever done a puzzle?

They take time.

I worked on the puzzle for about five hours off and on (as I write I’m not even close to done)

While there were clearly other things I could have done, it was really nice to just work on this puzzle- study the colors and the shapes and the scenes- look at it, feel the pieces, figure out what went where…

I allowed myself the time to do this…

I allowed myself the time to just do something for the sake of doing it…

I allowed my brain to luxuriate it two activities that are not really productive at all- but made my mind and body go ahhhhh…(ok maybe not my lower back because bending over the puzzle was a little wonky- but you get the idea)

When was the last time you gave yourself the luxury of time? Is it free, or do you think the long term cost is too much?

Is time a luxury you think you can’t afford?

Discuss

41 thoughts on “Mash-Up”

  3. No way! You have to take time for doing what most would call “nothing”. Why do we even question this? I find myself irritated with people who simply can’t just sit on occasion and just enjoy mulling over life or engaging in something rather mindless. I get even more irritated with the way society looks down on anyone who isn’t always doing something “productive”. I think people are often scared out of their minds of being judged when they take time for themselves. This topic (not you or your post) frustrates me a lot!

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    1. You’ve hit on many good points…why do we judge those who sit and read a book for three hours, or stare at a landscape (either in nature or on a painting) why do we beat ourselves up for not getting things done…like me with cleaning out my closet? While sloth is not a 24/7/365 goal, what’s wrong with me time?

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      1. Yes! Only what we have allowed ourselves to be told is wrong by others. Humans can be so easily influenced in their behaviors and patterns-which is not a revelation in any way- given both historically and today in how we jump onboard with ideology, trends, chaotic nonsense. People cannot seem to think for themselves and logic is an unknown commodity.

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  4. Wow; this has been on my mind a lot lately as well. I’ve hit a point where I have far more that must be done than I literally have time for. But, why must it be done? Isn’t my granting myself time to read a book (something I used to do prolifically but now more like annually) just as important, really?

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  5. I love taking a day off to just do whatever I want when no one is here wanting something from me. I enjoy puzzles, but it’s been awhile since I’ve put one on the table. We should probably all slow down and enjoy life more.

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    2. You brought up what is for me the key to this issue. As an adult, I have always had people wanting me to do things with or for them. It is rare that I have a time when I am not in demand. When it occurs, I do slow down and do some things just because I want to at the pace I want to do them. Then, my mind shifts gears. What if some of these people and animals were not there wanting things? Yes, I would miss them more than I would enjoy the “freedom” of choice. It gives me a different perspective.

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  8. Totally a legit discussion. Time is a comodity that we misspend. Last night I took the TIME to garden. I have some seeds I was germinating and they were ready for planting in starter cups. I felt a little funny taking the time to do this. There is a lot to be said for “stop and smell the roses.”

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      1. I jokingly call it the curse of the puritans “idle hands are the devils hands”. Or is it the desire to get the biggest bang for our buck (time in this case). It is sad regardless

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      2. The concept of busy work. While I’m a firm believer that everyone needs something to work towards, how you get there is individual

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  9. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone brags about always being busy. I don’t know if it makes them feel important or what…but when I mention doing something (like reading a couple of books at one time or painting), sometimes hear the old, “Oh, I wish I had time for that.” We have time for what we make time for. Personally, I feel it’s important to make time for the things that matter, even the “simple” stuff. Are there more “important” things I could be doing? Perhaps. But at the end of the day, life is too short to waste it on what doesn’t really matter.

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  10. I get that some people have to work too many hours to support a family and have little free time. But I would never begrudge anyone just taking time to do whatever makes them feel relaxed and happy – and just wish everyone could do that. I’m quite okay with just sitting and staring out the window at times – we have a beautiful view.

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    1. My dad worked twelve hour days six and seven days a week. He would have benefited from sneaking in some quiet time instead of my mother hounding him to take care of something

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  11. There are two things I like to do when I am feeling confused or perplexed about something that could be indirectly related to this post. One – I start walking while listening to music. Second – I play Sudoku. These two things I like to do slowly because I want time to think over what’s confusing me to figure out a solution. These activities also distract and relax my mind from only thinking about the problem rather than the solution.

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  15. I’m addicted to jigsaw puzzles, although I usually buy the 300-500 larger size pieces for my mother because of her eyesight, and I just help her out when she gets stuck. Sometimes I sit down just for a few minutes and before I know it an hour has gone by. But recently I bought a 1000 piece The Luncheon of the Boating Party – as I’ve always loved that painting – just for me – but the pieces are really small so I’m sure I’ll be awhile doing it. I find it to be a kind of mindless relaxing activity.

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      2. PS. I bought one of those puzzle stands that you can move off the table – much better than a piece of bristol board, and only $30.

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  17. So, to answer your question, it seems like it’s a luxury because we have so many distractions. At this point, I really think (for most of us), it’s a choice. You could NOT watch 3 hours of TV, and that would free up some time to do other things, like doing something slowly.

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