I’m taking a writing class at Grub Street right now – each Monday night, a group of us gather around a table, to talk shop about writing and share bits of our projects in progress with each other. During this week’s pre-class chitchat, I happened to mention this blog, and one of my classmates asked, “How do you find the time to blog?”
I get this a lot, actually. “How do you find the time to knit?” “How do you find the time to journal?” “How do you find the time to do freelance work, in addition to a full-time job?” “How do you find the time to cook?” And most frequently, “How do you find the time to read so many books?”
I think the answer is simpler than it first appears. Yes, we all have constraints on our time: we need sleep and food; we have day jobs and commutes and spouses/children/friends; other commitments request or demand our attention. But we all find the time to do what we love.
My dad finds the time to play golf at least twice a week, though no one could accuse him of neglecting his family or his work. My husband finds the time to play guitar, and has even begun bringing it along to some of his therapy sessions with musically inclined teenagers. Val finds the time to run a movie club. Annie finds the time to write songs. Amanda finds the time to run an orphanage. Julie finds the time to take photos and sketch. Melynda finds the time to knit and design new patterns.
Being busy is a common excuse in our overscheduled world – and I know a lot of people have more on their plates than I do. But often “I don’t have time” is a false way of saying “I don’t want to make the time.” Because if it’s vital to the well-being of your body or your soul, chances are you’ll find the time. Or make the time.
So there’s my answer: I make the time to blog. I do it because it provides discipline, a kick-in-the-pants deadline, a community of wonderful readers, a place for me to try out new ideas. And as for finding/making the time? I do it whenever, and however, I can.
What do you find the time to do?
cakes, tea and dreams 
“I don’t want to make the time.” – Oh this is so true. People use all sorts of excuses not to do things thay claim to love. I wonder if many parents need to ferry the kids between endless after school activities is just a way of filling up an otherwise empty life.
I blog because it give me structure when I don’t have a “proper” job. It gets my creative juices going and anything I have to write afterwards is that much easier because I’ve had a warm up on something that doesn’t really matter.
I make models because I love working with my hands. This can be done in front of the TV or listening to the radio. What I can’t do is just slump in front of the goggle box, or at least very rarely.
And you know what ? Having things I love to do makes me more efficient at work. I only stay late if I absolutely have to because I have better places to be. So many people use working late as an excuse to fill an empty life or hobby substitude. Me, I want to get my job done by the end of the day so I get on with it. When you have a longer working day, you tend to fill it and will happily invent work if required to keep busy.
I make the time to cook, to be with my husband, and to work out. I don’t, (often enough) make the time to write for myself. Not for my business, not for my blog, but for myself.
Thanks for the kick in the pants! (And what was our deadline, anyways? 🙂 )
Very well said, and so true. We make our own worlds and our own lives; we prioritize and make choices even when we don’t realize it (or take responsibility). My husband does most of the housework, bless him. I work a few more hours than he does. I read and ride my bike, mostly, and lounge with the husband and the dogs.
Your post is strikes me as being very parallel to the way I think about risk. I love to ride my bikes; it’s one of the most important parts of my life. In 2007 I almost died in a bad wreck, and we take on risk when we mountain bike, and when we ride in traffic in the big city. People who aren’t cyclists and therefore don’t understand 🙂 question my risks sometimes, but I tell them… I don’t drive fast cars on the freeway; I don’t smoke; I don’t live on fast food. I ride bikes, and I do it as safely as I can. I choose my risks, and I minimize them (helmet ALWAYS), but we all take risks. If you’re not riding your bike in traffic, you’re doing something else that’s risky, whether you realize it or not. It’s a choice.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
I always seem to be able to find time to drop in and sift through potential treasures at Good Will. Love it!
Yep. Your point is well-taken. I can find the time for anything I really care about. I try to keep family at the top of that list, but watching a good movie on a Sunday afternoon is a treat I almost always make time for. It is my equivalent of the Sunday afternoon nap.
[…] and its own kind of busyness. But I’m hoping to strike a better balance most of the time. To make time for dinners on the porch, small but vital acts of self-care, pulling warm lavender-scented sheets […]