Previously, I mentioned that I may never stumble upon what would have been my all-time favorite thing. The point was to discuss just how much good stuff is out there. The doomsayers who claim, “Things aren’t good anymore,” aren’t looking right in front of their faces — good stuff is all over the place!
Having so many options of things to seek out, things to do, and things to see is great, but it can also get in the way. Some people claim to have no time because they are trying to keep up with too many things.
Here’s the thing, though — you don’t have to see and do everything!
What Are You Trying to Catch?
When you really take a look at everything you’re struggling to keep up with, patterns emerge.
- That “Breaking News” story about a sensational court case isn’t really breaking news…
- You don’t have to fill your every waking moment with television as background noise or watch so many shows…
- Life doesn’t end if you don’t see everything said everyday on all the social media sites you visit…
- Knowing all the office gossip means you probably aren’t working as much as you should at a job you probably now hate because you’re seeking out the wrong things for 8 – 10 hours each day…
Drop Some Things
If you genuinely enjoy the spectacle and tension of the news; prefer Facebook to face-to-face interactions; love watching TV from the time you wake up until you go to work and then from the time you get home until you go to bed, then by all means do those things. (I’ll still argue that office gossip is still not worth one’s time.) But many people use these things to fill a gap in their lives. Other people just feel like they need to keep up — like they must catch everything out there falling their way.
As a juggler, I’m here to tell you: you cannot catch all the things. To try to catch everything is like standing beneath a big tree in autumn, trying to catch all the leaves falling to the ground. You’re not going to win. Worse, if you think you can do it, you’re creating unnecessary stress in your life.
The Solution?
Let a TV show or two slip through your fingers. Take a social media break now and then. Think about whether or not you really want Wolf Blitzer in your life, trying to hook you for ratings.
If you stop trying to catch all the things, you just might find more time to write and read…or just enjoy life a bit more…
but I want all of the Pokemons!