Finding Time for business and just living
I’ve had quite a busy month. That is something everyone says, which makes it trite and meaningless.
And I’m not a big fan of excuses either. So I am breaking two of my own rules at the same time.
But I have been busy. Things should be altering slightly on that score. I say “I hope” but sitting around has never been my thing. I actually struggle to just do nothing. This isn’t some kind of boast. It isn’t a thing I would seek in someone and say “that makes them a great person”. I am spending my dinner break writing this though.
Current desk setup
I often spend my dinner break reading as it gives you a break from screens. Life is screens now. I have just begun reading “The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper” by Roland Allen. It documents the use of paper and the history of people using various processes of taking notes to be able to understand subjects and engage with literature. It has been a great read so far.
I have been using Ryan Holiday’s method for reading for a long time now and using index cards/commonplace books as a way for what is read to stay in our mind.
Ryan Holiday’s method of using index cards to remember what you have read
I do feel that we make time for the important things. This year, redecoration of my flat (in it’s entirety), starting a business, continuing to journal (and keep commonplace books), beginning another business, doing 2 qualifications at work (one which I have finished), a renewed love of writing (although I must get some letters written to friends), reading, learning lots of exciting new things and drawing/painting every chance I get. I’ve even had to start using audio books, just to be able to fit all the things I want to into the time I have. I also am currently the chairman on our board of directors, for the estate where I live, I arrive at work around 0700, cycle back and forth to work, use a water rower every other day and sometimes find some time to watch some TV. It’s lucky I wake at 4am usually.
Current audio book on Audible
Which is fortunate, as sometimes things happen at work at 5am that need to be dealt with, like when some automatic doors smash together for no reason and explode glass everywhere. It made the morning go quick if nothing else.
What I found on arrival at work this morning
When I was younger I used to wish that I was able to stay up all night and not require sleep (although in my late teens and a few years ago, this was sort of the case when I suffered badly with insomnia). I cured the insomnia by being incredibly strict with my bed time, even if I didn’t feel tired or feel sleepy, if you wondered. You are still resting, even if you aren’t getting the full benefit of sleep I also discovered in that time. Wisdom has taught me that sleep and down time is actually incredibly important to development, not just for restoration of energy. We need time for all our thoughts to be organised within our long term memory. Sleep (and rest) contribute to our memory consolidation, emotional regulation, problem solving, mental health and creativity. Especially during REM sleep, so I have read. Although I agree with Ryan Holiday that reading should be more of an argument than just accepting what the author writes.
When I do actually have time of a weekend, all I want to do is go out and draw & paint. It is actually more than a want, I strangely feel compelled to go out. Bad weather would actually help me as it could potentially force me to work on getting my images scanned and printed, something that I want to do to see the quality of different suppliers and so that people can buy them. If they do. Although that is no longer a worry of mine. It isn’t the reason I do them. It is actually a kind of therapy. Never seems to matter to me if I’m tired either. I just ignore that. Even bad weather doesn’t really stop me.
When redecoration is completed and the changing of my carpets has happened, I should have more time.
I hope to have an evening of just reading and maybe some drawing. I don’t hold out much hope. It is supposed to be a rowing night, and I have a job to do as chair
Maybe tomorrow will be quieter. Although experience tells me to expect otherwise :)
Painting on the Suffolk Street Queensway, last weekend