yo what’s up. i’ve had a busy week, so i’m keeping this issue short.

anyways..

lately, there’s been a topic on my mind:

do you ever feel like time keeps speeding up?

it’s a question i’ve grappled with ever since i got into college.

i remember when i was younger, my only focus was to have fun.

everything felt new, and every experience felt fresh.

waiting in line at amusement parks felt like forever.

even car rides felt like events.

but as i’ve gotten older, i’ve taken on more responsibilities.

doing school work, internships, working towards my future.

to optimize for this, i built out routines and habits.

and while they’ve helped me get closer towards those goals, they’ve also made some weeks feel mundane.

i almost go into autopilot mode, where i feel like i’m living my life out in third-person.

and suddenly, weeks fly by without much notice.

if you feel like any of this resonates, here are a few things i’ve tried that helped:

1. introduce more spontaneity into your life

it doesn’t have to be anything drastic. take a different route to class or work. try something new for lunch. go on a mini side-quest. even small shifts can take you out of autopilot and bring you into the present moment with a new experience.

2. structure “nothing” time into your day

if you’re like me and love optimizing for productivity, try blocking out time where you plan to do literally nothing. no goals, no productivity, no multitasking, just being. it gives the world around you a chance to slow down and gives you a chance to check in with yourself.

3. start journaling

similar to the “nothing” time, it’s another chance to pause and reflect. even a short daily entry can help you notice more, feel more, and remember more. and later, you’ll be able to look back and realize how full your life really was.

that’s all for today. honestly, i was even considering skipping this issue, but i figured it’s better to share something than nothing at all.

wishing you all the best,

tulio sasaya