Obviously, not all distractions are created equal.

When you’re working, pretty much any distraction will be negative–especially if you’re on a schedule. You don’t want to waste time daydreaming. It’s unhelpful.

Good thing I’m not talking about work, then. I’m talking about life.

No those aren’t the same thing. If you think they are, we’ve got bigger problems.

I digress.

Not all distractions are a waste of time. Sometimes when you waste time, you’re spending it wisely.

Be a meanderer…

I’ve started going on walks sometimes after school. If I just follow the road right of my apartment, it’ll take me on a nice loop and send me back home. Usually I’d go with my roommate.

I used to hate it. I’m sure that’s not surprising…

I thought all of the loathing came from the discomfort of it; the burning in my muscles and aching in my chest (I’m really out of shape, guys). But the more often you walk, the less pain there is. So that couldn’t have been the source.

Then I thought the loathing had to be coming from the expectation. You know, the expectation I was setting for myself of “you should go walking right now.” There’s some truth in that, I guess. I tend to be a bit of a contrarian, often to my own peril. But that’s all pregame–that’s got nothing to do with the actual walking part of walking. So that couldn’t be it either.

Then I decided to go on a walk by myself, because my roommate wasn’t home. I decided not to think about it–just put on my headphones and go outside.

Then something crazy happened: I took my sweet time.

I stopped thinking about how long I was taking. I paused to look at flowers and branches on the side of the road. I took photos of anything that caught my eye. I took breaks to catch my breath and breathe in the clean air. I took time to admire the wonderful nature around me.

I stopped worrying about being “efficient.”

I love walking with people (I’m looking at you, roomie) but sometimes when I’m with people, I set a certain expectation for myself. I’m in social mode, not walking mode; I’m thinking about keeping pace and keeping conversation, not about having a nice walk.

So go meander. Just because your walk could take fifteen minutes doesn’t mean it has to. Not all time wasted is time wasted.

There’s that old saying “stop and smell the roses.” That’s not a half bad idea.

And if roses aren’t in season…?

Stop anyway. Wasting time might be worth your while.

Waste your time with me!

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