I am not very patient, unfortunately. This probably is something I could and should work on. In fact, maybe it will make it to my 2027 goals list, if I find a way to frame it effectively.
But also I think that sometimes my impatience is because I could be better at occupying myself in the little transition periods of life.
So I thought perhaps it would helpful to brainstorm some things one (okay, I) could do in those little time crevices where it doesn’t make sense to start anything productive but scrolling is just going to make me antsier and more anxious and thus serves exactly no one.
5 minutes
Duolingo
NYT games
Headspace or just set a timer and close my eyes and rest
Text someone to try to schedule a future phone convo
Tidy up the immediate area
10 minutes
Doodle something straight into my planner (do not need anything special for this)
Text family or friend just to say hi
Go outside and walk around the block (with or without music)
Declutter a drawer (or part of one)
15 min
Plan a theoretical future trip (I admit this is a new favorite “I just want to escape” activity for me — generally does not lead to anything actually being booked, but it’s fun to explore possibilities)
Read (ALWAYYYYYYS have a book)
(if home) Play a little piano
Look at recipes and plan future things to try
Anything you would add? Not saying that any given scroll is the end of the world, but I’ve found some habits I hate creeping back lately (can you tell it’s the late luteal phase?) and I feel that full on abstinence/abstention continues to be the best policy on my end — and thus I need good substitutes.
14 Comments
Great topic! My go-tos are 1. reading blogs as it scratches the online/phone itch but much more enjoyable content 2. reading email newsletters – similar to blogs 3. photo clean out of searching that day’s photos to delete dups, etc. Sarah on harrytimes just mentioned this today as well 4. reading magazines if I’m home. I’m definitely interested in other’s ideas.
photo cleanout would be a very ‘productive’ use for this time! will maybe try it!!
I remember reading a book where the author referred to these cracks as the “fringe hours” and these little nuggets of time really do add up. If I know I’ll be out and about, I like to carry cards that I can use a few minutes to write someone a note. I definitely like the idea of texting/scheduling something. And sometimes just sitting in silence and being alone with your thoughts is okay too.
Time confetti is my favorite phrase for these small fragments of time in between other things. I read blogs, write in my bullet journal, read Kindle books, do small chores (dishwasher, laundry), etc. Definitely curious how others spend it.
If you haven’t tried it, contexto is a fun word game, and can take up significant time, without being timed (I.e. you can go back to it through out the day).
I like reading even when the time period is small! 5 min does add up over time. I love the term “time confetti!” Having a book on kindle that I can dip into and out of on my phone helps with these crevices.
I read a book on time productivity written by a monk called “I’ve Got Time” and he encourages people to take small buffers between activity to let your head clear and to figure out what to do next. It’s been a really helpful practice in my office job. Sometimes it’s nice to get up and walk around for 5-7 minutes to breathe and then get back to finishing all of the things.
I love that – and yes reading esp books where you don’t get TOO immersed could be great for this!
I was thinking about this and I don’t think I really have these bits of time other than waiting for doctor appointments for myself and my son, which aren’t too frequent. My daily life is mostly work and then taking care of my toddler. Maybe my current life has less waiting? When I was pregnant and had more doctor appointments, I brought my laptop and did work emails on the hospital’s wi fi.
I totally get it!! For me it’s usually on clinical days when things just happen to be a bit slower. Sometimes they are super busy and there’s no down time (today looks like one of those, to be honest). Other times I’ll have a last minute cancellation and I”m all caught up in my inbox so . . . time confetti! (And unpredictable time confetti bc you never know when a new to-do item will pop up).
That makes sense. I don’t really have this down time at my job because I don’t have too many meetings or times when I’m waiting on others. Kind of wish I did sometimes….
I do CME questions on my phone during the cracks sometimes, or read my eTOCs from the journals I’m supposed to keep up with. Sometimes I put in a load or laundry or fold it, or put the dishes away. I also complete my mandatory trainings at work in the cracks, but only when I am physically at work.
I did some CME stuff for state recert in the cracks yesterday! Nice to get that done in tiny chunks … vs dedicating hours
My planner has a weekly/monthly reflection section. During transition times, I like going over the previous weeks and days to highlight my favorite things I’ve done. Then I have my literal “highlights” ready for the reflection pages! It’s a mood booster for sure.
This is great because usually, I just scroll Reddit/IG or open up Happy Color on my phone. I like the idea of texting someone/scheduling a phone date. I also love reading in snippets, even if it’s just 5 minutes! I also love a 5- or 10-minute tidy routine.