I want to share something with you all that I read this morning, since it had such an impact on me. It is an article on busyness, and that most of us are too busy, anxious to fill every nook and cranny of idle time in our lives with something important.
Since I quit my full-time job to focus on photography, I have had much more time to pursue whatever I feel is worthwhile–cooking, photography, time with my son doing those activities and more. Though I’m getting better at it, I often find myself fighting feelings of worthlessness because I’m not gainfully employed making money. Even though I’m shuttling my son to and from pre-school, teaching him how to cook, making wholesome meals, and creating the photographs that I quit my job in order to be able to create, I somehow feel like I’m not doing enough, or doing anything worthwhile.
I have moments of clarity, when I am surrounded in a small room by a quintet of talented musicians collaborating, or when my subconscious brain finally forwards a great photo concept to my conscious brain. But then there are those moments where that puritanical American ethos of busyness-is-godliness grips me, and I worry about how I’m not contributing to society.
I am happier than I have been in a long time, I really am. I am creating photographs that are very soul-satisfying, and I am collaborating with some incredibly talented folks. I have time (still too little) to watch my son grow, and learn, and be the amazing little person he is.
Read the article–it’s a longish read for our current ADD society, but it’s a good one. If you can’t find the time, that’s hilarious.
Then, when you’re done, watch some cartoons, go out and smell the flowers, watch a sunset, snuggle with your partner and watch a bad movie. Don’t let yourself feel guilty about it.
The ‘Busy’ Trap by Tim Kreider
Remember to Live
I want to share something with you all that I read this morning, since it had such an impact on me. It is an article on busyness, and that most of us are too busy, anxious to fill every nook and cranny of idle time in our lives with something important.
Since I quit my full-time job to focus on photography, I have had much more time to pursue whatever I feel is worthwhile–cooking, photography, time with my son doing those activities and more. Though I’m getting better at it, I often find myself fighting feelings of worthlessness because I’m not gainfully employed making money. Even though I’m shuttling my son to and from pre-school, teaching him how to cook, making wholesome meals, and creating the photographs that I quit my job in order to be able to create, I somehow feel like I’m not doing enough, or doing anything worthwhile.
I have moments of clarity, when I am surrounded in a small room by a quintet of talented musicians collaborating, or when my subconscious brain finally forwards a great photo concept to my conscious brain. But then there are those moments where that puritanical American ethos of busyness-is-godliness grips me, and I worry about how I’m not contributing to society.
I am happier than I have been in a long time, I really am. I am creating photographs that are very soul-satisfying, and I am collaborating with some incredibly talented folks. I have time (still too little) to watch my son grow, and learn, and be the amazing little person he is.
Read the article–it’s a longish read for our current ADD society, but it’s a good one. If you can’t find the time, that’s hilarious.
Then, when you’re done, watch some cartoons, go out and smell the flowers, watch a sunset, snuggle with your partner and watch a bad movie. Don’t let yourself feel guilty about it.
The ‘Busy’ Trap by Tim Kreider