How To Do 7 Things We Never Have Time For
1. Reading
Time yourself. We love to buy books, but when it comes to actually reading them, we're afraid of committing any time. No one's saying you have to read the whole thing in one night. Put fifteen minutes on the timer and read what you can. If you can't put it down, then you've done yourself a favor. Enjoy your book.
2. Dating
No big pictures. If you're anything like me, you try on your date's last name on the first date, or imagine what your future children will be like. STOP that. Like we did with reading, take your time. Dating seems like too much of a time sucker when you expect a full-blown relationship every time someone buys you dinner. Have fun, and don't punish yourself for taking a chance.
3. Cleaning
Expect company. When I try to clean for the sake of cleaning, it looks like this:
But when I have people coming over, it looks more like this:
If you're spending time at your friends' places, you owe them an invitation to your place every now and then. Not having them judge you will be reason enough to tidy up once in a while. If you really need some motivation, invite an in-law.
4. Exercising
Get a workout DVD. Sometimes going into a gym is like walking into a Tim Burton film. The entrance seems to shrink and inside is filled with machines that look like they could probe you and read your thoughts. It takes ten minutes alone to decide which ab-cruncher is less scary to use. Avoid that and get sweaty in the privacy of your own home.
5. Going for a walk
Accept the right of not having to contribute to society all the time. You're busy doing that most of the day at work. Take the time to walk around town at an easy pace. You're not racing, and you're not competing. You're moving your bones after a day of work. Contribute to your own comfort.
6. Traveling
Plan far ahead. Tickets will be cheaper, and your boss will more likely give you the time off if you mention it early enough. Once the flight/train is booked, you've locked in a trip, and with enough time to save money for when you actually go.
7. Cooking
Order take-out. Have a fail-safe in case your first casserole comes out of the oven looking like it has a conscience. What kicks you in the ribs after you've failed at cooking is hunger. Take the pressure off and have a pizza place on stand-by.
