Welcome to Time Intentional

Time Intentional is a curation of reflections, inspiration, and ideas about defining what it means to live intentionally. We’re a community of people who know that time is non-refundable and limited in the time life grants us, so we take action (big and small) to build and create authentic and purposeful lives.

Thank you for inviting me into your inbox! It’s not lost on me that I’m writing about making the most of our precious time, and you’ve chosen to share some of yours with me! 💖

My name is Alyssa Towns. I’m the beloved granddaughter of three grandparents who didn’t get to “finally enjoy life once they retired” because they didn’t make it there. I’m a freelance writer and content creator exploring the concept of time intentionality. I also partner with brands building better workplaces to create content.

What to Expect from Time Intentional:

Time Intentional will land in your inbox every Sunday. It’s for anyone who:

• Values your time (over traditional measures of success)—it’s a finite and precious resource

• Is on a journey (or wants to start) thinking about what an intentional life looks and feels like to you

• Intends to become more aware of and comfortable with the idea that time is finite and temporary

• Seeks inspiration and ideas about intentionality

Time Intentional isn’t strictly about time management “hacks,” tips, or tricks for getting the most out of your time (although knowing how to structure your days is valuable, too). Instead, it’s more about building a life that allows you to answer the question, “If today were your last, would you be content with the life you’ve built and how you spent your time?” It requires a holistic look at where and how you spend your time at work, home, after hours, across your habits, hobbies, and more. Actual time intentionality is about spending time on the things that matter most in a value-aligned way. It's making the minutes and years count. 

I don't know that anyone can ever become an expert at spending time intentionally. I’m on this journey just as much as you are. But I know what it feels like to lose three family members (two suddenly, one slowly) in their early-to-mid 60s, and the fact that they thought there would be more time. I thought I would have more time with them, too.

But time is never promised. We have one life and one chance to enjoy it, and that’s worth chasing.

Housekeeping Notes

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The Time Intentional Journey

I value transparency and openness, and want to bring you on this journey with me! Admittedly, I don’t have any strict growth goals, but I’m monitoring a combination of traditional newsletter metrics and community feedback as Time Intentional progresses.

I published the first issue of this newsletter on January 12, 2025.

Q1 2025 Lookback

Other highlights:

• Brianne Fleming gave me and my newsletter a shoutout in #PopChat

• A handful of people have mentioned and posted about Time Intentional on LinkedIn

• Somewhere between 5-7 people have told me how much they enjoy reading my newsletter in person

Some learnings:

• People say you need a large following and a well-known personal brand for personal newsletters to succeed. I disagree. I told myself that if one person found my writing valuable, I'd keep at it. Your community will find you.

• Newsletters that aren't business-focused aren't for everyone, and that's okay. I've had subscribers unsubscribe after reading one issue, which tells me maybe they were expecting something different. I know it won't be the right fit for every reader.

• Some issues are longer than I intended (I can't help it!), but I plan to experiment more with issue length.

• You can do what your heart desires! While I sought input from a few people before starting the newsletter, I enjoy not having to ask permission to do this. I have full creative freedom over it, which makes the process and output a lot of fun.

• Slow growth is still solid growth. My readers are so engaged, and I love conversing with them. I'm okay with small!

• Personal stories resonate. I intentionally chose a topic that I am deeply passionate about and is personal to me for a reason. So far, I haven't felt bored or forced to "crank something out," which I see many creators experience after focusing on a single subject. My content strategy isn't perfect, but I believe people describe my newsletter as authentic because it's incredibly personal, and they can feel the passion.