Turning Downtime Into Meaningful Connections: An Open Invitation
As a parent of young kids, I spend at least two hours a day driving to and from practices, performances, and team events. If you’re in a similar stage of life, you know how much of your day can be absorbed by these routines. And then, during the practices or events, there’s often more waiting—standing around with other parents, watching from the sidelines, or hanging out in the parking lot.
Recently, I made one small change to make that time feel more productive and enjoyable. Whenever possible, I bring my dog along. While my kids are supervised at their activities, my dog and I take a walk—around the building, along the field, or through nearby paths. It’s been a great way to fit in some exercise, clear my head, and enjoy a podcast.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed this personal time, I’ve realized it’s not quite enough. What I’m missing is the chance to connect with the people around me - the other parents and neighbors who are also standing around, just like me. We’re already here, sharing this time and space, brought together by the same activities. I feel like there is an opportunity here - in these in between moments in the middle of our busy lives - to share a connection.
An Experiment in Connection
In this next phase, I’m going to be more intentional about reaching out. When I’m walking, I’ll look for others who might want to join me for a conversation. I’ll swap my solo time for the chance to connect with someone new or deepen an existing relationship.
If I’m standing on the sidelines or in the stands, I’m going to talk with the people nearby—ask a question, share a thought, or simply say hello. It’s about making those small, meaningful connections that remind us we’re part of a larger community.
An Open Invitation
If you see me at an event, come say “hi” — I’d love to connect. And if we’ve met before and you’re looking for a conversation partner during some “down time” —say, between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Thursday—send me a message or give me a call. Let’s rekindle our conversation or start a new one.
This is my open invitation to turn downtime into something meaningful. Whether we’re walking together, chatting from the sidelines, or catching up over the phone, I’d love to use this shared time to connect. After all, the best part of community isn’t just proximity—it’s the relationships we build and the experiences we have together. Let’s make some new experiences beyond the bored, tired, or mundane ‘waiting’ of our busy lives.
So, what do you say? Let’s make the most of those waiting moments.
Reach out—I’m here, and I’d love to hear from you.