top of page

The Big 150: 12, Random - Describe 5 easy ways to free up some bandwidth in your life.


The Big 150: 12, Random - "Describe 5 easy ways to free up some bandwidth in your life."


I have to admit that I’m usually a bit skeptical about anything claiming to be “5 easy ways” to do something or “the miracle cure” or “an easy quick fix” to solve all your problems. It’s not that I believe in overcomplicating things – I don’t! I really, really believe in keeping things as simple as possible – but I have been on this planet long enough to recognize that anyone peddling miracle cures or quick fixes or 5 easy ways to do something is often trying to sell you something.


To be clear, I don’t feel that there’s anything inherently wrong with trying to sell something... as long as you’re upfront and transparent about what you’re doing. I’m also not here to sell you my list. Take what you like, leave what you don't. This is just stuff that has worked for me so I can protect my own peace.


So although I am willing to tell you 5 easy ways I have freed up bandwidth in my own life, I am not going to tell you that you’ll think what I’ve done is easy, if it is the right thing for you, or even if it’s something you want to do. None of the easy ways listed below were always easy, but they’ve gotten much easier as I’ve gotten older.


1. I have stopped feeling like I need to justify or overexplain all my personal decisions to everyone in my life. I’m happy with who I am, and I don’t exist to make everyone else happy. If someone doesn’t like a personal decision I make for myself,* then that’s their problem.

2. I have stopped holding myself accountable for other people’s actions or decisions. I am accountable for myself, and that’s it. If I make a mistake, I’ll take ownership of it, learn from it, and move on, but I’m not responsible for every other person’s perspective or feelings. We all have different perspectives, and that’s ok! I try to be respectful and know that mine doesn’t apply to everyone else. Yours won't either.

3. I’ve cut back on social media screentime. I use screens as needed for work but avoid them in my free time. Free time is Me time. I don’t focus on what other people are doing elsewhere in screen-land and instead pour myself into things I want to do.

4. I read a lot. This is a great way to cut back on screentime and learn, but it’s also a way to slow down and rest, too. Rest and good sleep are great ways to rebuild your bandwidth.

5. I have stopped doing things I really don’t want to do. In my twenties I definitely experienced FOMO about a lot of stuff (it’s normal to have Fear of Missing Out, especially when so much media marketing centers around it), but now I only experience FOMO when it’s something I actually really do want to do. FOMO, therefore, has become my compass, guiding me to my own True North of things I actually do not want to miss out on.


*This asterisk is to note that there should be an understanding here that personal decisions are made for the person making them, not against someone else. Let people be themselves, and focus on yourself.


Huh, that list was pretty easy to throw together actually. I hope you got something out of it, but if you didn’t, that’s okay, too. We’re all doing our own thing and doing it the best we can. So focus on yourself, and keep on keepin’ on.


Life’s a Garden. Dig it.


To you doing you, honing your focus, feeling alert, and taking philosophy lessons from the classic film Joe Dirt,

Johny


ICYMI: The Big 150


bottom of page