Link Love: Busy is not who I am

I’m not busy, I just do lots of things. I type this as I think of my urge to slow down and be more mindful about my time. It’s all too easy to obsess about all the things.

I want to stop answering the question, “How are you doing?” with the all-too-common “I’ve been so busy.” The more I think about this sentence, the more it sounds like a cross between a humble brag and an “oh, poor me” sentiment. How is the other person supposed to respond? Should they say they are busy too? Or should they console me?

Just like trying to stop saying nervous verbal ticks like saying “ah” or “umm”, I want to stop saying “I’ve been so busy”. I chose this life and I know it won’t last forever. There are lots of things I WANT to do and lots of things I HAVE to do. However, when someone asks after me, I should be kind that they care or not burden them with my personal squirrely-ness. I should ask about specifics in their life — to take more time to connect and waste less energy feeling harried by all the “all of this”.

So if you asked me today, “How are you doing?” I’d say, “I’m caffeinated, feeling healthy, desperately waiting for cat shed season to end and debating if its too soon to pull out my Halloween decorations.”

How are you doing today? Let me know in the comments!

Pens:

• Introducing the M800 Cream Blue: Pelikan’s Latest Special Edition (via The Pelikan’s Perch)
• These Are Heady Times for Fineliner Fans: Kakimori Colour Liners (via The Gentleman Stationer)
• My Personal Ranking of the 2024 Lamy Safaris and AL-Stars (via The Gentleman Stationer)
• Leuchtturm1917 Drehriffel Gel Ink Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Keeping Nibs Straight (via Rachel’s Reflections)
• ORMISTON & GLASS (via Chronicles of a Fountain Pen)
• Montblanc Around the World in 80 Days Unboxing and Review (via Penultimate Dave)
• An accidental Montblanc addition (via A Gathering of Curiosities)

Ink:

• Vinta Hello Rain Inks (via Mountain of Ink)
• Ink Battle: Robert Oster and Lamy (via Rachel’s Reflections)
• Sailor x Tinterías Cilantro and Refried Beans – Round 3 of Inky Goodness (via The Pen Addict)
• Ink Review #829: Wearingeul Robinson Crusoe (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist)

Pencils:

• Back to School (via Wonder Pens)

Notebooks & Paper:

• The Benefits of Journaling (via Inky Imaginings)
• Shelves of diaries (via Austin Kleon)
• Guest post series – ‘Filohax’ No. 14 – Paul (via Philofax)

Art & Creativity:

• Things my 3yo has shouted in public! (via Emmeline Draws)
• Urban Sketchers on the Eastside Rail Line (via Fueled by Clouds & Coffee)
• Collective creativity (via Austin Kleon)
• I’m Falling (Back) in Love with Sketchbooks and Teaching at Sketchbook Revival (via My Giant Strawberry)
• Lightwish Artist Grade Watercolor Travel Set – 24 Colors – REVIEW (via Doodlewash)
• How to keep going: Navigating the ebb and flow of creativity and motivation (via It’s Nice That)
• Introducing Tom Strom and his deadly cute illustrations (via Creative Boom)
• No-Purl Ribbed Scarf in Yonder: Free Scarf Knitting Pattern (via Pur Soho)

Other Interesting Things:

• A Fun Taxonomy of Bread Tags (via Kottke.org)
• Irving Penn: Small Trades (via Kottke.org)
• James Earl Jones Reads Poe’s The Raven (via Kottke.org)
• Holiday Cheer Takes Center Stage: USPS Unveils Festive Holiday Stamps at National Postal Museum (via USPS Newsroom)
• 2024 Commonwealth Pen Show Notes (via Line Variation)

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