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There are two useful ways to time things. The first is to set a timer when you know you need to start doing something (like work, laundry, or get ready to leave the house) but you don’t currently have the willpower to do it. Set a timer (any amount of time will do—I often choose 10 minutes) and allow yourself exactly that long to scroll on your phone or whatever it is you’re doing (probably scrolling on your phone). There’s something rapturous about the combination of knowing you’ve done something proactive towards the thing you need to do while still getting to enjoy not doing it. When the timer goes off, you have to get up. No cheating—the timer is God.The second useful way to time things is to start a stopwatch before you do a chore you dread (like cleaning the kitchen, watering the plants, or showering) and then stop it when you’re done and see how little time it actually takes. It’s always less than you’d think. I once learned it took me just over three minutes to water every plant in my house, and I have over 10 plants! Recently I was sick and after days of being a gremlin, it took me 18 minutes to scrub my kitchen sparkling clean. That’s really not so bad. It’s good to know how long things take. It puts your whining in perspective.
Jun 6, 2023
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You can do 10 minutes of anything. 3 minutes of dishes. 1 minute of vacuuming. whatever.
And you don’t need a hunk of plastic to do it - I got one from my buy nothing group but you can ask Siri or whatever.
Apr 27, 2025
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This helped me! I use a little Pomodoro app and set it for 45 mins. My goal is just to sit down and do some of my work during that time. I usually find the momentum in there but sometimes don't. Also important for me to rest and be realistic when I need to (e.g. illness) and communicate that instead of pushing through which often just compounds stress and procrastination.
Dec 9, 2024
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1. 15 minutes of cleaning, organizing, something task oriented that feels productive and you can SEE. after that timer goes off you’re DONE! Good work.
2. next, it’s outside time. Maybe you walk to get a treat, find a flower, see a nice building, smile at a stranger. This can be a quick trip if you need it to, or find a podcast or album to listen to on a longer walk.
3. Food that makes you feel good nutritionally and food that makes you feel good emotionally. Chocolate cake and an apple. carrots and hummus and twizzlers. Indiana food! Get both.
4. Guilt free SCHEDULED relaxing Of any kind- bed rot, tv time, video games, whatever. its Your job to do it.
This basic formula helps me.
Apr 10, 2024
Top Recs from @haley-nahman
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I feel like it’s popular to hate on assigned seating so I want to show my support. When you assign my seat, you’re doing me a favor. You’re freeing me from the tyranny of choice, or the burden of asserting myself. Walking into a wedding reception to find my name on a little tag with a table number—my fate decided, nothing I can do about it now—is heaven. Walking into a movie theater and knowing my seat is saved is a perfect experience. No notes.
Jun 6, 2023
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I’m including this because it’s a vaguely unapproachable art film and I hope you’re impressed that I liked it. I saw it at Metrograph in January. Dreams consists of eight vignettes, each inspired by real recurring dreams from Kurosawa’s life. It was made late in his career and is described by Metrograph as “the work of a filmmaker with nothing left to prove but a great deal to say.” (I’ve been thinking about that phrasing ever since I read it.) I hate to sound like a frat boy but I was on mushrooms when I saw it and I am going to have to recommend that. I’ve never seen the uncanny nature of dreams captured so well.
Jun 6, 2023
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A while ago while writing an essay I broke my living room window. I simply set my foot against it while typing and pressed. The next day I searched for a local business to replace it and discovered Bernie’s Glass & Mirror. If you’re lucky enough to need a window or mirror fixed in Brooklyn, I can’t recommend Bernie enough. He’ll come huffing into your living room with a rotten New York attitude and stay to chat with you for as long as he pleases. He may scold you for saying something completely innocuous like “do you need help moving my couch out of the way?” He may show you photos he once took as a professional wedding photographer. He will certainly bitch about his kids (“millenniums”) who don’t want to take over the family business. And your window will look like new.
Jun 6, 2023