The 4 Things We Should Start Making Time for Again

In the hustle and bustle of 2013, people seem just too busy for life. Why is that? I get it. Life seems like a never ending process of tasks, some with soft deadlines, and others with rigid deadlines. And here’s the thing- they just keep piling up. Who even has the time to breathe anymore? What happened to the good old days when people walked outside and savored the crisp air? Or sat down on a park bench and watched  the colors of autumn sky?  We’re in such a rush these days,  that it can actually be unhealthy.

 I decided to sit down and think about the things that make me happy. And no- I’m not talking about my IPhone or Ipad or whatever other technological devices we’re glued to. I’m talking about the simple things. Take a look:

1.       Hard copy books. I’m all for reading on a tablet, but there’s something about flipping through those hard copy books that makes the experience justifiably real. I want to hear the pages turn and I want to be able to scribble notes if I have to.

2.       Making phone calls just to say hi. For the most part, most people I know simply send over a text message if they want to see how another person is doing. What happened to picking up the phone and hearing an actual voice? Have we strayed so far from human interaction that is seems unheard of?

3.       Writing letters. When I was younger, my best friend and I used to hand write letters to each other when we didn’t have time to catch up in-between classes. Until this day, I have a box of her handwritten letters and I cherish them more as the days go on. Just for the hell of it, write a letter to a loved one, scribble down a note for your family member or write down a list of goals for yourself on a piece of paper. We know that technology is useful and very convenient, but having it all down on paper shows a sense of authenticity.

4.       Savoring silence. When we look at pre-industrialized society, many people took the time to sit and enjoy life when all of their work was done. Make a cup of tea or grab some lemonade and take at least 10 minutes out of your day to sit and unwind. This is the only life we have and if we don’t take the time to enjoy it now- when can we?

If you have any other tips that you would like to share, don’t hesitate to leave a message! Have a great week!

Anita Haridat, MS