Not A Moment Wasted

By: Sarah Schutte

We’re often told to “seize the day,” but actually, all we have is the moment right now. There’s certainly nothing wrong with putting effort and even enthusiasm into our daily work and lives, and it can be delightful to spin grand plans and lofty goals. But since all we really have are moments, how can we seize those and use them well? In high school and college, our days were often a riot of moments, all jumbled together and moving quickly. Joys and sorrows often came thick and fast, and there was always some paper to write or some party to attend or some friend to make. 

Now, however, you have a routine—that steady job, grad school course, or volunteer position. You find yourself settling in and learning the ropes, enjoying your new city or neighborhood. Now is a most glorious time. Now, you have many moments. But where shall you put your creative energy? And how do you even start such an endeavor? 

To give you that little nudge, here are three simple but powerful ideas to help spark and channel your interests: organize your time, use media well, and get out of the house. 

At work, your time is organized for you, or you make your own daily plan of action based on duties, goals, or requirements. In your free time, it’s all on you to make the most of those moments. First of all, be intentional with your time. Look at your week and how your days are laid out. Work time is already accounted for, so focus on the evenings and weekends and see how many hours you have. Of course, you’ll have necessary activities like car maintenance and house cleaning to fit in those times too, but it helps to take stock of everything week by week. 

Then, make some goals lists. These can be weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, or however you like. The lists needn’t be long or impressive. Maybe you set three goals for the fall, such as memorizing a poem, mastering pushups, and trying out one new bakery in town. Tape them up where you see them often, and be excited about accomplishing them. 

Finally, be flexible. Your car may need an oil change, or a friend may come for a last-minute visit, and these can open up new ways for you to order your moments. Media can be a touchy topic, but I’ll simply say this: everything in moderation. It is a tool. Make it work for you, not you for it. It can be a helpful resource when looking for restaurant recommendations, handy when you need directions, and a money-saver if you read the reviews. When you’re not using it to navigate to the new rock-climbing wall or comedy club, don’t forget how useful it can be for research. Ask questions about the world around you: Why are there small planes in the sky? What is that funny spot next to the sun tonight? How can I make truly spectacular pastry crust? Can I grow a lemon tree in Ohio, and what exactly is a growing zone? 

With a few taps, you can answer these questions and more—and not just answer them but test them. Find that tiny airport and watch the planes land. Learn what a sundog is. Get your hands floury and attempt that crust. Grow a successful bucket garden. And don’t forget: While you’re exploring, you can also use your phone to listen. Audio books, podcasts, music—these and many other resources are at your fingertips, and will fill your ears and mind with interest, awe, and wonder. 

Now that you’ve organized your time and you’ve made some goals, what’s next? Easy: leave your apartment. This sounds doable, but after a long day of work or when you’re confronted by that sink full of dishes, suddenly, your last bit of energy drains away and you find yourself ignoring those dishes while watching reruns of Psych. While reruns certainly have their place, don’t forget that your moments are precious. What can you do? 

First, find the free. Your local library is a wealth of events and resources, and they’re not only full of books on every possible subject, they sometimes even have maker spaces with sewing machines, 3-D printers, and Cricuts ready for public use. Second, if there is a sport or activity you couldn’t do when you were younger, why not try it now? Go out and learn a back handspring, join a rowing team, try to sail, or land a plane. Also, there are numerous ways to get involved in your community, from volunteering to small side jobs, any of which will bring you into contact with all sorts of wonderful people. Could you run a children’s choir? Help train service dogs? Read to the homebound? Start a community garden? The opportunities are endless and exciting. 

So, there you have it: organize your time, use your media well, and get out of your apartment. A simple plan, yes, but it takes willpower and forethought. And remember: While we are indeed called to use our moments intentionally, some moments are meant to be savored. We were not made to run around frantically, doing “all the things” without enjoyment or recollection. Nor are we meant to sit around sighing. Along these lines, I’ll leave you with these words from writer Denise Trull. Last year, when musing about the Catholic feast of St. Blaise, Trull pointed out, “Every minute counts. Each moment is rife with the possibility of grace. Great things can suddenly happen in the odd little minutes we decide to give to God, whether they seem convenient or not. We must always be ready for God to work through us if He so chooses.”

Sarah Schutte | ‘18

I am a Hillsdale grad who studied voice and journalism, and now work in podcasting for National Review magazine. When I’m not working, I spend copious amounts of time reading, cooking for weekly dinner parties, birding, creating music, teaching, or writing. I’m a (very) amateur gardener with a love for herbs and lemon trees (the second, alas, don’t love me). In 2023, I earned my private pilot’s license. When I’m not flying myself around, I enjoy traveling to other states and countries, and love learning about art and history.