Whilst some people suffer FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), I am the opposite, I embrace JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). I am very selective about my time and always seek to keep space for what I love. Yes, I love seeing people, experiencing time with them, going to events (even made it to some concerts this year!), and at the same time, I love quiet time.
As we come to the end of the year, I will spend time with family and friends, but will also have lots of time on my own, most of which will be spent either on long winter walks or with books (or both, as I do enjoy audiobooks while on long walks).
As I talk about time, a thought. I find time expands while walking. A two or three hour walk can feel expansive and that so much more time elapsed, and in a good way. Try a long winter walk, let me know your thoughts, I’d love to hear them.
So, this is a short post today as we ease into the Christmas break, a few books I’ll be reading (or re-reading):
- Four Thousand Weeks – Oliver Burkeman. About our relationship to time. This is my current audiobook for my walks.
- On Reading – Nick Parker – this book changed my relationship to reading (see this post: “the unit of reading is a chapter“)
- The Good Ancestor – Roman Kznaric (see this post inspired by the book)
- There is never anything but the present – Alan Watts. The latest lovely hardback of wisdom from the masterful mind and way of expression of Alan Watts
Most mornings you will therefore find me with a good cup of coffee in my armchair (pictured) with one of these books, occasionally looking up and out over the winter landscape. There is nothing to do, only to be.
Today is Christmas Eve, I hope you get to switch off from work for at least the weekend and perhaps ten days or so. Whatever you choose to do with your time, enjoy it.