An Introduction to Time

I think about Time so much!

In some senses it’s just a construct, but then there are seasons and circadian rhythms and astrology, to all of which I ascribe massive influence. It seems that often we see Time (yes, I’m going to capitalise it, like a god) as being against us - I am planning a series on all the ways Time governs how we perceive other things. I’m also a massive former productivity nerd; I doubt there are many time-use tracks or hacks that I haven’t tried or dismissed back in the years when life was all about Being by virtue of Doing.

But for now I want to introduce one way I’m using Time (as a construct) to my advantage: Magic Hour. I have just had an extended period of nothing; getting up when I like, sleeping when I like, doing what I feel like doing and making spontaneous decisions about how to use the day on the day as it occurs. This has been monumentally freeing and although I still L O V E Time and all it can allow us to do, I’ve had extended periods where Time has expanded, contracted, and tasks have slipped, certain experiences have had a timelessness to them and there’s been a fair amount of staring out the window. All of this I believe has been beneficial to my welfare at least in the short-term, although it has left me floundering a little for a sense of purpose.

Enter: Magic Hour. Simply, the practice of dedicating one whole hour to a particular task that connects to a Purpose. It might be research for a new venture, work on a connected group of technical tasks, Drawing Board time for the rejuvenation of dormant project or simply getting down and doing the nitty gritty of writing or the like. For current purposes it has to not be a “maintenance” or routine task to qualify as Magic. And thus I shall break forth from my chrysalis of daydreaming as a purposeful butterfly…