If you know me at all, you know Earth Time is the biggest challenge I’ve faced.
Childhood was beloved cycles synchronized with animals coming to the river for water at dusk or morning heralded by loons calling from the lake. In summer, sneaking out during the white nights to run with rabbits. Eat when hungry ~ or forced to sit still long enough to endure what passed for occasional family dinners. Play was a foreign concept while running the woods was endlessly fascinating. Winter sledding down icy hills followed by torpor of hot chocolate. I can still smell when it will snow.
Then school. Civilization. For me, an analog clock was an artifact without a Rosetta Stone. Digital devices only marginally better because I still have to calculate time passages in my head.
I could handle the concepts of yesterday, today and tomorrow but this week, last week, next week are still a black hole, so I resolve them by dealing in dates not days. Left to my own devices longer than 24 hours, I’m hard pressed to tell you what day it is. Daylight savings time is a torment I have no desire to comprehend. Calendar holidays go unremarked while I take great joy in winter solstice to mark the season and return of the light. Death and birth are markers in the endless progression of ancestors and progeny. While I try to remember birthdays because they are important measurements for humans I often forget my own.
School felt like a permanent tooth ache. By contrast, pregnancy was easier with beautiful humans to show for the 9 months. Adulthood and being on time for gainful employment was an endless anxiety attack.
Technology created a separation between us and our natural body rhythms forcing an override 24/7 365 productivity at any cost. When I give attention to the clock, I get caught in the trap and external pressure of time. BTW, time doesn’t actually exist. There’s a reason every spiritual practice has a variation of sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.
On a prompting deeper than mere impulse, I purchased a clock with a face display of the days of the week. There are markers at noon and midnight. The rest is wild and beautiful guesswork. Magic happened. The days slowed down and accomplishments increased. I’m sleeping better. I have more energy and enthusiasm. I still make appointments without the pressure by setting a reminder alarm - thank you, smarter than me about time phone.
Megan Macedo said, “the way we measure things shapes our focus.” Our focus shapes who we become.
I have the luxury of creating my own schedule and I’m thankful. I started small by removing all the clocks in my creative space. What one thing could you do to create a space of luxury in your life? I vote throw the clocks away, at least in the studio or the place you journey into for creative work.