Every week, I intentionally carve out space for something I call Potato Time, which is my guilt-free window for doing absolutely nothing productive. Special thanks to my friend Rhiannon for the perfect name.
Potato Time takes a few different forms. Sometimes it looks like sofa-loafing in front of the TV, half-watching a show or drifting into a nap while my brain quietly resets. Other times, it is a slow bike ride or a short walk along the Rambla, the beautiful oceanfront promenade found in many coastal cities and towns here in Uruguay. And once in a while, it is simply catching up with friends with no agenda and no pressure to talk about anything important.
The goal is simple: do not think about work.
If I do not intentionally redirect my mind, it will drift right back into planning mode and start solving problems that do not need attention at 8 p.m. on a Saturday. My brain is very good at staying “on” unless I give it something gentle and enjoyable to focus on.
Potato Time is not laziness. It is a reset.
It keeps my energy tank full enough for me to enjoy my work, stay focused, and show up with a clearer mind. I am sharper and far more effective when I sit back down to tackle what comes next, and I get to enjoy the non-work parts of my life with a lot more ease.
Everyone needs something that gives the mind a soft place to land. For me, this ritual does exactly that.