How to Embrace Everyday Life: The Incalculable Importance of Garbage Time
Everyday life is boring.
At least, that’s what most people say.
Why?
Humans can’t help but look to the future.
Where will I be someday?
Will my life be better?
Who will I know?
Who will I love?
Humans are also creatures of habit.
We wake up.
We go to work.
We go home.
We go back to sleep.
Repeat.
Mixed in are chores, errands, and other activities that fill out the pictures of our lives.
There’s one glaring problem though.
We often take the simple moments for granted and regret it later.
We’re looking so hard for things that are “high-quality.”
Our time must be maximized to squeeze every last, delicious drop out of our day.
We seek adventure.
Anything less is just garbage.
But is that a bad thing?
I don’t think so at all.
Garbage Time
As NYT-Bestselling Author Ryan Holiday once wrote, “There's no such thing as 'quality' time: Time is time. In fact, as Jerry Seinfeld said, garbage time — eating cereal together late at night, laying around on the couch — is actually the best time. Forget chasing HUGE experiences. It’s all wonderful, if you so choose.”
Garbage Time is the time we think of as mundane or not worth our time. It’s the “trash” use of our time because it isn’t interesting, cool, sexy, or fun. At least, not from first glance.
But as Ryan notes, “Time is time.”
Anything we experience can go from bad to good in an instant.
It’s a mindset shift.
Most of our day-to-day time is same-y. It has a similar texture to it. You know when things are just fine.
The points of tension bring us back to appreciate the normal times.
When we’re sick, we want to go back to normal.
When times are tough, we want to go back to the good times.
What if you could live your life embracing the normal?
You would create memories that are impactful.
You would help those around you create memories as well.
About Time
One of my favorite all-time films is called "About Time" from 2013.
It's story about time travel.
More specifically, the relationship between a father and son.
The main character finds out that the men in his family have a sort of gift to relive any part of their lives again at will.
Without spoiling too much (because it's a must watch!), the protagonist realizes that he should live each day letting go of the all the tensions and worries that stop us "noticing how sweet the world can be."
Clearly, we can't relive the past.
But if we don't take in the present, we won't have memories to cherish later.
5 Benefits of Garbage Time
Find Creative Inspiration from Everyday Experiences — In a creative life, it takes fuel to stoke the creative flames. We need information and experience to help guide the choices we make. By putting ourselves into different situations, we add to the library of ideas in our heads. These ideas become that fuel for new and creative projects.
Build Strong(er) Relationships — When we spend time with friends and family in a present way, we cultivate better bonds with them. Relationships are about trust. When you show that you are interested and responsive to others, that trust grows between you.
Learn New Perspectives — Putting yourself out there and being present in the mundane moments of the day can give you clarity on how other people feel, think, and view the world. When we close ourselves off to the moment, we ignore those perspectives. Rather than seeing them as a nuisance though, we have an opportunity to grow with different ways of thinking.
Refresh and Rest Your Mind — Sometimes we need a break. It can be from Deep Work sessions, or from the chaos at home, or from the world. But embracing a simple chore or task can be an opportunity to rest. By directing your focus on to something that is less taxing, you can allow your mind to settle.
Develop Appreciate for What You Have — One of the biggest reasons we look to the future so often is envy. Envy for the things we don’t have… yet. The key though is to be present and aware of what we do have. Garbage time then becomes a moment for us to reflect on how good we have it. There is always someone in this world who has it worse. Be grateful for what you do have. If you’re reading this right now, chances are you have it pretty great.
How to Embrace Garbage Time
Okay, so Garbage Time is great. But how do I take it all in? Here are some ways to get you started.
Slow Your Roll — Breathe. Part of the conflict we have with Garbage Time is that we want to rush through it. Don’t fight the Garbage Time though. Let it in, slowly.
Opportunity, not Trash — Consider each task, errand, moment you have to yourself or with others as an opportunity. It’s not something you have to do. It’s something you get to do. One day you won’t have the opportunity any more.
Put Down Your Phone — Let go of the tether. Your phone will be just fine while you live out a moment here or there. Turn it off, put it on airplane mode, hand it to a friend, put it on Do Not Disturb and experience your actual life. Not the one distracting you from it.
Say No More Often — When we say “Yes,” we’re saying “No” to something else. Try saying “No” more often to new things that may take you from the time for yourself or with the ones you love.
Ask Yourself One Question — When you catch yourself in “Garbage Time,” ask, “Am I present right now?” If Yes, cool. Go about enjoying Garbage Time! If No, fix it. Implement one of the ideas #1 through #4. This is a great check for yourself to break you out of the fog of “going through the motions” aimlessly like a zombie in your own story.
Use it Wisely
None of us know how much time we have on this rock floating through space.
The truth is life as we know it can end in an instant.
And the future doesn’t really exist.
We experience time in a continuous state of “now.”
It’s about living each day with intentional awareness to create memories that last.
So if you’re destined to live in the “now” for the rest of your life, why not take a moment now and again to appreciate it.
TL; DR
Everyday life is boring if you let it
How to see your "Garbage Time" differently
Garbage Time is vital to happiness
5 Benefits of Garbage Time
How to Embrace Garbage Time
Use your time wisely
Quote of the Week
Motivation for the days ahead of you.
“Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn’t exist and never shall. There is only now.”
— Christopher Paolini
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
