“Time is short, my strength is limited, the office is a horror, the apartment is noisy, and if a pleasant, straightforward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle maneuvers.”
Franz Kafka, via Daily Rituals
Beyond the Quote (154/365)
It never ceases to amaze me how fast 10 minutes goes by when I’m distracted and busy versus how slow 10 minutes goes by when I’m trying to be present. Even just this morning I was reminded. My alarm went off at around 7:15am and after snoozing for another 15 minutes, I went on my phone to further wake up for the day. Before I knew it, it was already 8:10am. 40 minutes had literally flown by before I had even one conscious thought to check the time.
On the other hand, I usually finish up my morning workout with a 20 minute meditation and this doesn’t go by anywhere near as fast as 20 minutes on my phone—heck, 40 minutes on my phone usually feels faster than 20 minutes meditating. I’m getting better, but I still find myself getting antsy, checking how much time is left, and wanting to go on my phone to escape the relentless attempt to detach from my monkey mind and stay somewhat connected to the now. I’m not sure if this is an attempt to distract myself from my raw state, a desire to get back to feeling “busy” and somewhat “productive,” or a pull to get back to what I’m used to feeling throughout the day (being non-present) and it’s more of a comfort zone thing. But, none-the-less, it’s powerful and it’s real.
What’s worth noting, however, is that while “time flies” when you’re on your phone, it’s not synonymous with being in a state of flow. Flow is the mental state you enter when you are so focused on the task at hand that the rest of the world fades away. This blend of happiness and peak performance is what athletes and performers experience when they are “in the zone.” It’s an active state that doesn’t distract you from the present moment, but rather deeply connects you to the present moment. You don’t tone out the rest of the world, but rather you become hyper aware of the world and everything coming in through your senses. So, when “time flies” it’s important to explore whether or not you were connected to or disconnected from time because it makes a drastic difference.
In contrast, when “time slows down” from practicing being present, that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad way to spend your time. In fact, the way time feels when you’re not distracted, not busy, and well connected to your senses, is how time is supposed to feel. I think we just become so used to time flying by all day, every day, that we forget. We adjust to what we repeatedly practice and experience. And if our daily practice is to stay busy and distracted, then that will become our norm. And if our daily practice is to stay present and connected to our senses, then that will be our norm. And if you’re trying to bridge the gap from busy and distracted to more present and connected, my best piece of advice is to start by finding small “pockets” in your day to maneuver in some “slow down time.“
I’ll give you one more example from my morning. Usually, after I finish 20 minute meditation (that feels like 40 minutes), I rush upstairs to make breakfast and I take that breakfast to my computer and eat while I begin to write. This is my norm—it’s what I’ve always practiced. Today, however, I took my breakfast outside and just sat on my back porch and ate consciously. It was a completely different experience. After what felt like 20 minutes, I went back inside to see only 10 minutes had passed. It was another pocket of stillness that allowed me to stay connected to the present moment.
The reason I wanted to share this idea with you today is because I, like I’m sure many others in the world right now, have felt incredibly drained from the past several days of news influx and media consumption. There is a lot to keep up with in the world right now and there is a lot that needs to be said and done—but it takes a toll. And while, staying informed and maintaining an active part in the conversation is crucial, what’s even more important is your mental health and overall state. If you’re not finding “pockets” of stillness throughout your day to disconnect, recharge, reflect, rest, and just be—then you won’t be able to perform at your best. While it might feel “counter productive” and “wasteful,” moments of stillness are actually quite the opposite.
Moments of stillness are the very tool that allow you to clarify your thoughts, recharge your energy, and find perspective in a world of infinite opinions and information. Stillness is what will keep you sharp, keep you thinking clearly, and will keep you performing your best. For, how can you contribute to a cause optimally if you’re mentally exhausted and clouded in your thinking? How can you stand, kneel, march, and protest if your energy is depleted? How can you find your own voice in you never stop listening to and consuming the voices of others? This is a reminder to regroup, to recharge, and to keep in touch with your mental health and safety. We need you to be a part of the movement for change, but we also need you to be at your best. Take care of yourself, first. Bring your full life force behind the march for change, second.
Read Next: 47 Deep and Insightful Ryan Holiday Quotes from Stillness is the Key
Don't Let the Motivation Stop There...!
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