Along the same lines of what I wrote yesterday, one of the mindsets I’ve tried to keep in mind, particularly this year so far, is that creation should take priority over consumption.

Creation, I realized, moves me forward on my various personal and professional goals more than consumption does.

So I’m opting to write blog posts. Or make progress on a novel. Or something else.

Still, the FOMO is real. I can feel the number of unwatched movies on Netflix and Amazon on my shoulders sometimes, as well as all those on DVD. After reading over two dozen books in 2017 I haven’t finished a single one this year.

I just have to keep telling myself it’s alright, that I’m working toward something right now and that means putting other wants to the side for the moment.

That doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but it’s the rationale that’s working for me right now.

More than that, it’s a reminder that it’s not simply choosing to do Option 1. Doing so is also actively choosing to not to Options 2-38. It requires weighing the opportunity costs almost constantly.

I admit I have the luxury of choice. Simply having the free time to fill as I see fit is a privilege. Many people don’t. I know that.

That’s not to say I don’t take time to watch movies or TV shows or read books. There have been a few nights where I’ve pulled up a movie and enjoyed a night of passive entertainment. Sometimes you need a night off.

It just means I have other things in mind. So for as long as I can, I’ll keep going down this road. Things may change tomorrow, but this is where I’m at now.

Chris Thilk is a freelance writer and content strategist who lives in the Chicago suburbs.