I Didn't Do The Thing Today: On letting go of productivity guilt

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I also just find a source of endless frustration when authors make an active choice to name drop- and even more so when the name dropping comes from situations and interviews they weren’t even involved with. That is a perpetual struggle- but I would have appreciated more from the author herself on the subjects rather than every man and his dog! Beyond being thought-provoking and well-organized, it gets bonus points for not making up a new word every page (like most self-help books) and instead relying on well-established terms. A remarkable combination: part broadside against our culture of frenetic busyness, part consolation for the days when things don't go to plan.

While this book wasn’t completely life-changing, it was a good read that did inspire me to shift my thinking on productivity. she cares about the topic herself and spends a few years interviewing creatives to gain understanding on what works and how creatives find value in their days/weeks/years/lives. We don’t know where our decisions will lead, because we can only connect the dots once we’re looking back.At first, I thought it was me, I thought when I got out of quarantine I would enjoy reading it again, but nope, by the end I was skipping each chapter as soon as it became the exact same thing the previous chapter had been. She has contributed columns and features to Sunday Life, BBC WorkLife, ArtsHub, 99u, Womankind, Kill Your Darlings, The Design Files, ABC Life and more. An important case for worrying less about getting things done and more about the things that are worth doing. That said, I do think there is value in the kindness facet of this book, and in the facet that discusses being a better person to oneself.

She learned there isn't a perfect recipe for getting things done, the ideal routine that maximizes every minute of the day is a myth, and constantly holding ourselves to unattainable daily standards is simply exhausting us. Letting go of your productivity guilt and embracing the unexpected creative moments that each day brings you can broaden your definition of a day well spent, bringing deep connection and fulfillment to your daily life. The wonderful thing about learning is that it expands—interest begets interest—and it doesn’t have to cost us a thing.

Occasionally I get an audiobook from the library in a futile attempt to restrict my book purchasing. I liked that the book wasn’t about “how to be more productive”, but rather how to prioritize a life well lived. Even on days where we get a lot done, the thing left undone can leave us feeling guilty, anxious or disappointed. Whether it’s romance, friendships, career paths, or new interests, we never saw most of the things that give our lives meaning coming. It was inspired by my conversation with a farmer who started his day with a dollop of clotted cream on his porridge.