How many times have you heard, “I’d love to write a book/paint a picture/make a film/learn an instrument/learn how to weave baskets underwater, but I just don’t have the time?” If you are someone who does any of those things, or many others (which also includes exercising, working out, starting a fitness plan), you probably hear it a lot.
It usually goes like this:
Me: “I’m a writer”
Person at party: “Oh, I want to write, I just don’t have the time.”
The implication being that obviously I’m doing something wrong since I do have the time and along with writing I am probably laying around eating bon bons and making daisy chains. The other person is ignoring the fact that I MAKE the time. (Usually)
Time is like a vortex, you won’t have it unless you make it, unless you fight for the time to do what you must do for you. This is the same if you have a day job, family, other time conflicts- you FIGHT for the creative time. You make your unmovable obligations (job, family) then fit in everything else around them. But you make them work.
That's sort of where I've been lately, evil day job taking over my soul again, and my little mental voice giving me excuses such as, "I don't have the time, I'm just too exhausted when I get home."
Well, I'm going to give that little voice in my head some hard advice, and advice I'd share with everyone who "doesn't have the time" (to write, paint, create, help a friend, whatever).
Yes. You. Do.
If something is important, you make the time. The little time fairy has gone awol with the money fairy and they ain't coming back. Either you put your effort into making time (and yes, I'm talking to myself here as well--it's ok, I'm not sane anyway) or you shut up about it. No whining, no bitching, no, "I'd really love too BUT...." You do it, or move on.
People will always find excuses for why they aren’t doing what they really want, or what they think they should really want. Sometimes the excuses of not enough time are simply so the person doesn't have to face a hard truth.
But the bottom line is, we need to suck it up, make time for who we are. Who we will be.
No Excuses. (It's not just for jocks any more ;)).
I love this post. Yes, it's so hard to make the time even when you're not working. Errands, phone calls, shiny things, all distract. Commitment is the key word.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bonnie! I have a theory that time finds a way to be spent no matter what we do, just like money. ;) We do have to commit!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Finding time to write is my biggest problem. There always seems to be something on the mystical urgency scale that tops sitting down to write. Then, just when I've managed to get my butt in front of the computer along come the interruptions. The one question. The I have to tell you something quick. Even the people who say they understand that you need time to write can't seem to leave you alone and let you do it. Instead they get offended that you aren't totally overjoyed to get your nose away from the grindstone and pay some attention to them. So to those distractions I also say, Suck it up Buttercups. Figure it out for yourself. Keep yourself occupied. Find your passion and leave me with mine.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Maybe we need to give you a big sign to hand out, "Suck it up, Buttercup, deal with the issue. I'll be back from writing in two hours."
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
You rock. I love your posts. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteWhen I hear someone say that I interpret it to mean:
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds cool to say I want to be (fill in the blank) but I am so busy it will never happen.
Often, what they are really saying is:
I don't really want to be a (fill in the blank) because it is not important enough for me to change or to risk failure to make it happen.
I completely agree! I think people feel they SHOULD want to do it, but either aren't really committed or really deep inside don't want to ;). Excellent points!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
They want to do it because it sounds cool. They don't NEED to do it. People who need, do. Cheers - excellent post!
ReplyDeleteLOL! That's true! So that makes us the cool kids? :) I like it!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!