It’s not that I need to be productively occupied all the time. But even when I relax, it should be purposeful: that is, set aside an hour to watch Lost or read a book, rather than vaguely reload the same three websites for three hours. Some ultimately pointless activities are good for one, but I still think they can be chosen and performed meaningfully.
If I really did this, I’d find so many more hours in the day, get much more done, and live a fuller life.
I recognize that I’m a kind of person who needs structure, and while I hoped I would use my months unemployed well, I have basically squandered them. Not frankly surprising. By natural inclination, I need a job to get up for in the morning, and a series of occupations to work around in the evening. Otherwise, I’m apt to do nothing.
But natural inclination doesn’t have to be the whole story… if I really try, I could learn to use my time well. In the course of achieving a few of my 43 things, I will probably learn to do this. But this is an important lifestyle goal all on its own.
