zach posting:
In college I was a very spontaneous person. My friends could reliably call me at 1am on a Tuesday evening, wake me from a deep slumber, and convince me to meet them for a game of night wiffleball. I would rarely be able to answer the question “What are you doing on Friday night?” before lunchtime on Friday.
Now that I am a working stiff, my friends can reliably know that I will not pick up my phone after 11pm on a work night and will also likely leave early to get a good night sleep. I now have weekly scheduled activities 4 nights a week and often have to schedule events and parties weeks in advance.
Monday is movie night (Stay tuned for movie reviews to come)
Tuesday is softball (Give me a call if you have any tips on hitting a ball that moves less than 10mph)
Thursday is house group
Saturday morning is marathon training
Sunday is filled with church events
I absolutely love all of these activities, but miss the natural way that these activities came about in my college life. Instead of knowing, Monday is movie night, I would be with a group of friends that decided they were in the mood to watch a movie. Perhaps this is just the benefit of having so much time on my hands, being able to stay up until 2am and not really worrying if I didn’t get my work done.
Is this just the reality of life after college? In the past 6 months, I have literally had to schedule time to spend alone. Does anyone else find it bizarre to have to schedule a date with your self? How do we keep track of a slow, peaceful lifestyle in the midst of our American culture? And how do we hold on to free moments that aren’t regimented out like daily vitamins?
via chicago 
June 26th, 2008 at 1:57 am
To your last question my answer would be move to the south! My life is so slow and I’ve finally learned how to relax. I was talking to some of the girls at work today about it, how in the city you’re always on the go and don’t know how to slow down. I guess it’s cleaning your slate and just taking things as they come. For me that meant moving (not saying you should move) But rather than having to schedule time with yourself. Make it so that you’re the priority and you get that quiet time and have to schedule things, if that makes any sense. Living here though, I have too much free time, I guess no matter where you are it’s about finiding the balance.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
amen on moving down south, bro! my question would be…do you really enjoy it all? if not, there’s no reason for you to hold so tightly to your nightly schedule. loosen up the old neck-tie. i am constantly busy here in youth ministry, but i also know when to take a night for just me, my wife, my dog, and our television set. it’s the greatest double-date ever. do you enjoy it all? that’s all that matters.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Alyssa – I don’t know who you are, but I would like to echo an “Amen.” Texas (please don’t judge me for considering it “The South”) always stills my soul – not to mention my stride and my speech.
To piggie-back on Bob-O, I would say don’t only assess whether or not you enjoy it (leaving it there is merely humanism), but assess its significance in your summum bonum: the highest good in your life. I say if it rots the souls, kick it. Bobby would be proud to know that Kashi has been booted on this same principle (and Zach, you should know that I’m always open to it reconciling back into my diet).
January 10th, 2009 at 4:02 am
A sign of aging (from a sociological perspective) is performing repetitive behaviors; and well, although you’re doing different activities on each day of the week, at least 5/7 of those days are a repetitive routine.
On occasion many people need mental stimulation to avoid eventually falling into boredom and futility. Busy schedules may be difficult to work around, but perhaps you could make it a point to try new things whenever possible (They can be large or small. Driving a different car or learning to eat with chopsticks for example. Doesn’t need to be as drastic as moving south.), do things with new people, or go to new places. Personally, I got involved in politics. There always seems to be an issue to look at, a viewpoint to take up, debates, etc.