Today, I stumbled upon a phrase: “Time horizon”. It’s the ability (privilege?) to plan ahead. It got me thinking about how much I plan and how often I let things go. It’s not a linear line, though.
When I plan, it’s in the hope of joyful preparation. I strategize. Research. Consider options. At its best, planning makes me feel I’ll have everything ready: Inevitable band-aids, car items (car blanket, car mango, and car flashlight), roads to take. However? Preparation sometimes leads to overwhelm. Over-processed. Overthinking. Overdoing, even.
Planning ≠ being in the moment.
Even as I write this, one of my (mere 3!) tabs is on a retirement plan. Is that not an example of a time horizon? If you know me, my so-called retirement plan is to become a mail courier. Keep working, in other words. But for some semblance of fun, being surrounded with what I love: I anticipate walking in the sunshine (and snow and rain…), delivering snail mail and bills, being greeted by dogs.
How could I possibly live in the moment and plan for something so far off? (In this economy!) And yet! Am I not really carpe-ing that diem if I squeeze too much planning instead of actually living? Is there any kind of balance?!
Further, having a time horizon assumes that there’s something to look forward to. A great beyond. What if the beyond is actually right now?
My solution isn’t to stuff everything into a single day. That’s toxic, promoting over-production under the guise of positivity (“if I do this, then I’ll be happy!” is a lie of capitalism). Instead? It’s… honesty. Courage to take life, sometimes fast and sometimes slow.
Things take as long as they’re gonna take.
My upcoming marathon – timed, whether I like it or not – is going to take at least 4.5 hours. I can process all I want. But it’s the consistent doing that counts, more than the timer. I’m letting the “race” aspect of the run go, thank you very much.
I still believe habits-based goals are important, to maintain this mythical course of living. If one of your goals is to retire, fantastic! I just know that my time horizon probably looks differently than yours. How are you balancing planning with living in the moment?