Do you feel like a chicken with its head cut off? My sister sent me this fascinating article, which says that, even if we feel swamped, most of us are actually less busy than we think...The last paragraph really struck me: Change your language. Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying "it's not a priority," and see how that feels. Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to. But other things are harder. Try it: "I'm not going to edit your résumé, sweetie, because it's not a priority." "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority." If these phrases don't sit well, that's the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently.
What little things do you want to purposefully make more time for? I'd like to take baths some evenings, learn how to play guitar and call my mom for random chats. Also, eat this olive oil cake.
P.S. Remember what happened on Seinfeld when Kramer got too busy?
(Photo by The Sartorialist)