2024 10 29

Dancing in the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. August, 2024. © Clayton Hauck

There’s an evolving observation I have that so many of us are doing our best job focusing on filling up our daily schedule, thinking that equates to being productive. It’s not a new idea, The Busy Trap. But my observation is more recent and revolves around talking with people. Nobody picks up the phone and calls each other anymore. Instead, we send out a message and spend the time we would’ve spent simply talking on the phone, going back and forth figuring out a mutually-agreed upon time to then pick up the phone and call each other some hours later.

I resist this approach the best I can. My brain works best when it’s free and clear to think whatever thoughts pop into it, without the constant stress and anticipation of preparing for an upcoming engagement, as big or small as it may be. I long for the days of my childhood, a free and open calendar, allowing me to live in the moment and navigate with ease. Improvise. Go with the flow. Instead, I have a constant barrage of push notifications informing me of an upcoming meeting or conversation. Some days, when an afternoon meeting is an important one, I can hardly function throughout the morning just knowing this future event exists and is approaching.

Time is an ever-flowing river and the journey is more enjoyable when it’s a lazy river, not roaring rapids (this sentence might be the nerdiest I’ve ever written for reasons I refuse to explain).

-Clayton