The Rule of Two

The Rule of Two We’re all searching for that 25th hour in the day. We’re stressed because we can’t accomplish every task we want to accomplish every single day. As our to-do lists grow, it seems we must be superheroesâ€"or high-functioning sociopathsâ€"to be effective people. I feel the pressure, too. But instead of beating myself up when my life isn’t “complete,” I give myself permission to be satisfied if, twice a week, I’m able to engage in the twelve solo endeavors that are most important to me (in no particular order): Sunlight (one hour) Writing (two hours) Reading (one hour) Sauna (30 minutes) Yoga (30 minutes) Squats (100 reps) Pull-ups (60 reps) Push-ups (200 reps) Cycling (30 minutes) Meditation (20 minutes) Hiking/walking (two hours) Weight training (30 minutes) Some folks might call these endeavours simple self-care rituals, while I simply consider them part of a meaningful life. Although Ill likely never accomplish all these tasks in one day, doing each just a couple times a week gives me 24 opportunities to improve my life every seven days. Moreover, these pastimes make me a better version of myself, especially when I’m around others. Committing to twice a week relieves the pressure of daily expectations, and it has proven far more productive than trying to overdo everything. At under sixteen hours total, self-care occupies less than ten percent of my week, but it makes life immeasurably better during the other 90 percent. I’m curious: What twice-a-week pursuits would improve your life? Let me know on Twitter. Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.