Better at Wasting Time

I’m trying to get better at wasting time. Everything is optimized.

Why go to the store when amazon can bring it?

You’re going to roll the dice on the 4.1 rated restaurant when there is a 4.6 a block away?

Have two friends check a text message to confirm I have it properly worded before sending it to the third? Alright, I may have over-embellished on having three friends, but you get the point.

I lose something when I try to optimize everything. My brain feels weaker, less tolerant. More demanding of perfection. Less patient. I used to be a great time waster. I could sit somewhere without a podcast rolling through my brain, or reading a life hack to improve things. I didn’t have to be entertained. I was okay. Now I struggle with the tedious burden of walking up a flight of stairs without checking my phone.

So I’ve been taking small steps. Sitting through the intro to my favorite show. Gasp.

Not rushing away from my neighbor while she’s giving me directions, actually trying to listen, despite the fact that GPS has been around for 20 years now.

When driving home I’ll occasionally take the less direct route. Getting me home 2 and half minutes later than normal. Gasp, again.

What’s been the result? Still early, but if I had to guess, my life is 3% less optimized, but notably less pressured.

See you soon,

— Ricky C.