Time…

I often stitch in public and so many people tell me “I don’t have the time to sit and do something like that.” In the last year or so my response to that has gone from “Ok” to “Choices we make.”

It’s not to be snarky or anything but it to make a point. We all have the same amount of time available, duh and we get to choose how we spend it.

Yes there are the responsibilities and truly things we “have” to do. Work, eat and all that goes into that, clean and sleep.

There is still time available though. What is done with that time is our choice.

This morning on the radio the DJ shared something someone had told her recently. “Instead of saying ‘I don’t have time.’ Change that to ‘It’s a waste of time.'” I see the point here but think for some areas it might be a step too far.

It could be a very valid reason why someone doesn’t learn to stitch. I’ve had people tell me that. However, just because I choose not to do something doesn’t mean that I think doing it is a waste of time, but I choose to use my time on something else.

I recently lost a potential client because my bimonthly website and email clean up was put on hold until after the holidays. There were issues and this potential client is the one who found them. Thankfully she told me about the issues, but also said that my lack of attention to these details was a deal breaker for her. It’s not that I find my clean up a waste of time, I chose this to spend this time with family instead and there were consequences.

I know that many people have ‘”so much to do and so little time to do it in.” I challenge you to evaluate how you are really spending your time. How much scrolling are you doing? Facebook, Instagram, Pinterst, TikTok, YouTube and the list goes on.

How many activities are your children involved in? Ballet, swim, soccer, football, all this and school.

Are you living a busy life or a full life?

A busy life is doing all the things, running to all the functions, plays, parties and what have you. Are you really there? Are you really present? If you are doing this with/for children, are they really there? Are you enjoying the time? Are you making memories that will last or will it all just be a jumble?

Full. Doing many of the things, intentionally and present in those things. Connecting with other people there, not your phone, doing it for and with someone.

Your motive in how you spend your time will help you to spend it better and make it feel like and look like you have more of it.

If the activity isn’t a necessity, isn’t feeding part of your and doesn’t increase your connection to others, why do it?

Limit both your and the children’s activities. For your sake and theirs.

Make choices with your time that reflect your values and the people you value.

Happy making!