It's All About "Time"

Courtney Vroman
May 21
2 min read

Updated: Jun 2

Recently, my husband and I were chatting with a friend about the idea of me taking up sewing. I don't know about you, but I tend to hyper fixate on a new hobby, really get into it, start a project, then get excited about something else and before I know it, I have multiple unfinished projects going. At the moment, I have two house projects in progress, a closet I've completely unloaded with intentions of decluttering, 5 blogs drafted for this page, a few landscaping ideas taking shape, and a brand-new gratitude journal I've been meaning to write in for a month. But here I am chatting with my husband and our friend about taking up sewing! Knowing full well who I am, I jokingly ask my husband what he thinks my success rate will be with a sewing hobby. He smiles and starts to say something smart, but then says, "It's all about time. There's never enough time."

I can bet that most of us have said this or felt this about our own lives. Whether it's starting a new project, wanting to get back into a hobby that brings you joy, or catching up on housework, there never seems to be enough time. Here's what I've found to be true in all of this: we're not getting more time. As helpful as we think it would be, no one is magically getting more than 24 hours in a day. The sun doesn't rise sooner or set later because you need more sunlight. We are given all the time we need. It is up to us to spend that time wisely. How you do that is up to you. Some people thrive on a schedule, others don't. I have learned that to hold myself accountable I at least need a plan for what my day is going to look like. Things will come up and even the best laid plans often go awry. Doing your best with what you have makes all the difference.

Five Helpful Reminders:

Recognize Productivity Varies

It's important to realize that not every minute will be productive. Life is unpredictable, and that's okay. Concentrate on the quality of your efforts instead of just the quantity of tasks you finish.

Accept Everyday Realities:

Chores like laundry will pile up; that’s just part of life. Set realistic expectations for yourself to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remember that everyone faces challenges and has "off days."

Reevaluate Your Definition of Productivity:

Try to shift your perspective from merely checking off a to-do list to making meaningful progress. Give yourself permission to rest and recharge when it’s necessary. See unfinished projects as chances for growth and creativity rather than failures.

Embrace Imperfection:

Understand that some days won’t go as planned, and that’s perfectly fine. Let go of unrealistic standards and give yourself some grace. (Deep breaths) Practice patience and understanding, both for yourself and for others.

It's All About Balance:

Accept that less productive days are normal and can help reduce stress and anxiety. It’s perfectly acceptable to take a step back and recharge when you need to.

I have 6 ongoing projects (see pictures). And yes, I want to take up sewing. ;)