Making the Most of Limited Time: JB's Monday Momentum #15
Balancing Purpose and Presence in Times of Transition
Estimated reading time: four minutes
Welcome to Monday Momentum, the weekly newsletter where I discuss practical wisdom, uncovering insights to enhance our lives one thoughtful moment at a time. While I have confidence in the ideas I write about, I acknowledge that what works for me may not work for everyone. Take each idea as you see fit and let me know what you think!
Hello friends,
In just over two months, I’ll move back to the US and my time living in the Netherlands will come to an end. After three years in this country, I find myself experiencing mixed emotions. On one hand, I am eager and optimistic about the new opportunities that my future has in store. On the other hand, I strongly desire to make the absolute most of my limited time remaining here in Holland. The challenge I now face is determining the best way to maximize these final weeks. What activities, experiences, or connections should I prioritize to truly savor and appreciate this chapter of my life before it draws to a close?
If you missed last week’s edition—“Recharge Your Batteries”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
If our time in a certain place is coming to an end, how should we choose to spend that remaining time?
I love this question. On the surface, it seems pretty straightforward. We should spend our time doing what makes us happy, right? I don't disagree. However, when you go deeper into the question, you realize it touches the very essence of what it means to be human. It's about our ability to love, to learn, to grow, to confront the uncertainties that life presents us. Going even further, it becomes a question of life and death, on the concept of mortality itself. While the reason I am writing about this question now is my upcoming move, its significance extends far beyond my circumstances. It speaks to the universal reality that our time on this earth is limited—perhaps the one thing we all have in common. So, how should we choose to spend this finite resource?
Firstly, there's the idea of maximizing our time by focusing on what truly matters. This involves distinguishing the essential from the trivial, ensuring that our days are filled with purpose rather than distractions. It's about embracing each day with a sense of gratitude and intention, recognizing that every moment is an opportunity to pursue our passions, make meaningful connections, and leave a positive impact. By prioritizing what brings us joy and fulfillment, we can extract the utmost value from our finite time.
However, in the pursuit of productivity and purpose, it's also important not to overlook the significance of ordinary moments. These everyday experiences—quiet evenings spent with loved ones, leisurely dog walks through familiar neighborhoods, or even taking a nap on your favorite spot on the couch—hold beauty and significance of their own. They offer a chance to pause, to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. These seemingly meaningless moments have shaped us into who we are today (like it or not), and during transitions—such as my upcoming move—they take on added meaning. They become "the last times" we get to engage in these ordinary activities in our current surroundings. To me, there is something special about that, and I don’t want to completely let go of those moments in my final months here. Is it wasting my time? I wouldn’t say so. Sometimes the meaningless things are what you cherish most about where you are, so why wouldn’t you keep embracing them?
There's also the appeal of seeking out new experiences—the kind that become "core memories" in our lives. Whether it's exploring a place you’ve been wanting to go to or trying that new activity, I urge you to check these items off your bucket list. Embracing the opportunity to create these final memories can be both exhilarating and transformative. Just don’t forget that even the ordinary moments can be “core memories” as well. Don’t let your drive to do something new, simply for the sake of saying “I did that,” distract you from what you value.
Finding the best way to spend our time requires finding a balance between purposeful action and mindful presence. It's about embracing both the extraordinary and the everyday, recognizing the value in each moment, whether it's filled with adventures or contemplation. By cultivating this balance, we can navigate life's transitions with grace and wisdom, valuing every moment along the way. But in the end, it is up to each of us to find what gives our lives meaning and how to spend our time wisely.
Quote on time:
“It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested.” — Seneca
Goal for the Week:
Drink a gallon of water each day
Two reasons for this:
I’ve been pretty good about waking up and making myself a big cup of water right away (with lemon and a touch of salt)1. This on its own has helped me stay energized and hydrated throughout the day (I think), but after my first big glass, I seem to stop drinking as much water throughout the day. This week I am going to make sure that isn’t the case and continue to hydrate at all points in the day (admirable, I know).
I couldn’t think of any other goals so resorting back to the classics it is.
What I’m Reading:
Discipline Is Destiny — Ryan Holiday (85% done)
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
West 22nd
Favourite Food — Tokyo Police Club
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for the next edition and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Take care,
James
“Most people wake up at least slightly dehydrated due to being asleep. This is why starting off your day with water, salt, and lemon works great. This combination helps to hydrate you, get minerals in, and start your digestive system for the day. The combination cuts down inflammation, improves digestion, and rejuvenates.” — Dr Alan Mandell