I'm Alive!

A return to this newsletter and the subtle shift that's kinda-sorta changed my life

Welcome to Making Time. I believe we have a natural human urge to create things with our hands. Here, we explore ways to use that urge to feel more present and alive. If you’d like to follow along, you can subscribe for free.

Hello, I’ve missed you all!

About six months ago, I embarked on a bit of a digital declutter after reading Cal Newport’s provocative book, Digital Minimalism. From there, something unexpected happened.

Spending less time in front of screens led me to question other ways I was spending my time. I noticed how much pressure I was putting on myself to do all the things, including things I enjoy, and the toll this was taking.

Some of my roses, fading delightfully

So given that I’ve declared this the year of ease for me, I decided to write again only once I felt like it. So here I am.

In the last six months, the circumstances of my life have not changed much, but my inner world has undergone some sort of mysterious tectonic shift.

It’s difficult to summarize that shift, but if I were to name it, I would call it a sense of aliveness.

A shot from my phone on one of this summer’s backpacking adventures

I’ve loosened my grip. I spend more time staring out the window. I notice things and appreciate them, even if they’re transient. It doesn’t sound like much, but to me, it feels like some essential puzzle piece has snapped into place. It’s kind of weird, but I dig it.

I plan to write more about this sense of aliveness, what it has to do with creativity, and my own subtle shifts in thinking as they happen.

But in the meantime, I wanted to say hello again. I’ve truly missed writing, and I hope that some of what I share will be helpful in finding your own ways to bring aliveness to your life and creative practice.

Lucy helps me pick apples every year. My little country girl.

And Gordy, always greeting you with a smile.

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