Recently, a friend made a point about how time seems to be warped up right now - and I couldn’t agree more. 

The year began normally. 

When the lockdown restrictions hit, it seemed like everything around us slowed down. We paused and took stock of it all. We were forced to deal with the issues - in our lives, families and communities - that we had ignored for so long. We soaked in each moment. 

Then the restrictions were lifted in phases and all of sudden, it seemed like we started trying to make up for the lost time. 

Now, 

We are outside again. 

We are getting busier again. 

We are ignoring issues again. 

Each moment is fleeting again. 

In the space of eight months, time slowed down and sped back up - and like characters in the Umbrella Academy, we are stuck in this strange time continuum. The weirdest part is the pandemic and recession aren’t even over so we don’t know what the next few months will look like. Time might slow down again or it might get even faster - and we won’t be able to do much about it. 

This realization has made me more mindful of the commitments I made when time slowed down. I obviously can’t control time. I know anything can happen anytime. So, I owe it to myself to maximize my time. I can’t go back to consuming information that doesn’t edify me. I can’t dwell on details that aren’t worth my time. 

By now, I should know better. I should know who and what matters. I should understand that it is just as important to pause as it is to be active. I should make the most of my day even if that means doing nothing on some days or making a submission way ahead of the deadline on other days. I should act on the lessons I learnt when time slowed down. 

I should have my filters on. 

Despite what you might have been told about the millennial generation or the internet age, you can choose to pay closer attention for long periods to the things, people and issues that matter. You did that when you had to be indoors so you have it in you. You can sort out your commitment issues. Being outside shouldn’t distract you from being committed to the person you chose to be - when you were indoors. 

For me, this means: I have to keep working on the book idea I had during the quarantine period. For you, it may be something else. You know how this suggestion applies to your life. Whatever you have to stay committed to, I’m cheering you on. 

Keep at it ‘cause each moment is fleeting again.