Fall, football, and family

Colorado is teasing us residents with an early, sweet taste of autumnal weather. It’s been a perfect, gently wrapped blanket around the first taste of pumpkin spice lattes (Starbucks goers, I recommend an iced coffee with pumpkin sauce and a splash of vanilla cream), Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce, the emergence of knit cardigans for the first time this season, and painting pottery with a friend. I even started reading The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore* to quell my fear of missing out, sparked by the book cover spreading virally across social media.

The shift in the air excites me. I’m a fall enthusiast and eager to enjoy hearty meals, comforting candles, scenic fall leaves, belly-warming lattes at local coffee shops, cozy nights indoors, pumpkin patches, and one of my most-loved activities this season brings: football.

My grandma Janet was a diehard Denver Broncos fan. (You could say the same about my grandpa Dale, but my grandmother’s fandom for her team was unrivaled.) She was loud, proud, and I’m certain more than half of her wardrobe comprised Denver Broncos apparel.

When my grandparents passed away in 2015, my dad inherited the rights and access to Denver Broncos season tickets. We learned that my great-grandfather was the initial ticket buyer many years ago. (Cool, right?)

(Side note: the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 in 2016; my dad watched them win live at the game, and I wrote a letter to Peyton Manning about how his “last rodeo” aligned with my grandparents’ “last rodeo.” I didn’t receive a response, but the letter temporarily blew up on Facebook.)

For the last 10 years, I’ve looked forward to football season because it means regular home games with my family during the season.

Now, I’ve seen the hot takes about how watching sports is “a waste of your life” or a distraction (escapism) from the “real world” that doesn’t benefit us as viewers. I know plenty of people in my life who don’t care about professional sports, and that’s okay. To each their own.

But for me, football season with my family means more time with them. Rooting for the Denver Broncos gives us a shared sense of connection and community, and it increases the number of visits I have with my parents and sister, making it an undoubtedly intentional (and cherished) use of my time.

Sahil Bloom deconstructed and shared data from the American Time Use Survey and Our World in Data in an article on his website, “How We Spend Our Time.”

According to Bloom, “Time spent with our parents, siblings, and family peaks in childhood and declines sharply after age 20.” Here’s what that looks like based on the data:

We’re naïve to believe we have “plenty of time” left with the people we love most. Without intentional thought, we see months, years, and decades still ahead of us. We utter phrases like, “Maybe we’ll take that family vacation next year,” and “We’ll get together soon!” And for those of us who are lucky, we find the time. But for others, “next year” and “soon” never come.

So, while it’s football for us, it doesn’t matter what the activity itself is, as long as you prioritize the visits and time together.

A challenge for the season: Pick 1-2 people (it doesn’t have to be family members, just loved ones you care a heck of a lot about) and discuss how you can incorporate more time together into your schedules. Maybe it’s a weekly ritual or monthly activity — the choice is yours. And if you’re open to it, write me and tell me all about it! 💌 

Time well spent: weekly roundup

1. I snagged a bulk pack of heart bookmarks* to share with my fellow book clubbers at our monthly meeting this week. It surprised me how many people assumed I was selling them, and even more shocked to hear, “You’re giving these to us? That is so nice.” In a world that often encourages selfishness, strive to be a kind person. Make someone’s day.

2. I painted pottery (so much fun, but ask me again once I see how my piece turns out) with a fellow book club member. Our group event dwindled, so it ended up being just the two of us. We got to know each other over a fun evening painting together, and it reminded me just how joyful it is to connect with others deeply when we’re willing to put in the effort. If you want community, you have to build it.

3. I’ve gratitude journaled for over 400 days! It’s one of my favorite daily rituals. And thanks to Gratitude Plus, you can join me! (Think: social media meets gratitude journaling for all the good vibes.) Join my circle on Gratitude Plus for free! (Sign up for a premium subscription for additional features.)

Your next intentional move

• In a culture that often emphasizes getting ahead, what intentional choices can you make to prioritize giving over keeping? Time, attention, and small acts of kindness all count.

• When have you experienced a deeper connection by showing up with intention, even in a smaller or unexpected setting? How can you invest more intentionally in building the kind of community you long for?

• What daily ritual or practice helps you live with more gratitude and intention? How might you recommit to or expand that practice?

Check out the full list of intentional prompts and share it with someone you love!

With gratitude

• Debbie Braden, an internal comms strategist and one of my favorite LinkedIn Connections, recently mentioned Time Intentional in an issue of her newsletter, Star Thrower Communication. Thank you, Debbie!

Until next time

• Share Time Intentional with someone you love using your referral link below, and this template I wrote for you

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• In last week’s issue, I teased my takeover of Staffbase’s You’ve Got Comms: 3 Tips for Becoming a Better Newsletter Storyteller

• Two weeks ago, I mentioned Today Was Fun by Bree Groff*, and The Everygirl recently published my full review and lessons learned, “This Self-Help Book Taught Me How to Add More Joy to My Career (And My Life).”

I’m Alyssa Towns, and this is Time Intentional, a newsletter exploring what it means to spend our limited (and precious) time intentionally. Extend your love and support by sharing this newsletter with someone you know or buying me a coffee! ☕

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