Plenty of Nothing
I can’t even get a bathroom break without hearing, “Mommy, are you through yet?”
So I would gladly spend my 15 minutes soaking in the tub with a good book and bubbles up to my ears.
Sincere Sanders
Montrose, Mississippi
I’d sleep! Working two jobs and caring for
my house and family take a lot of energy,
so I would probably use the 15 minutes to recharge my batteries.
Kristina Smith
Decatur, Georgia
Extra minutes? More like stolen ones! I would relax on the couch with an electric blanket, a cup of tea, Hildegard von Bingen on the stereo, and a book about how to find more time for myself.
Barbara Rivera
Ossining, New York
I would sit quietly and meditate. I’d love to
be able to ignore all my daily obligations, deadlines, crises, etc., for 15 minutes.
Shashuana Littlejohn
Alexandria, Virginia
Just like in nursery school, I would have
a rest period each day to do nothing. Resting is a lost art. I would sit in my comfy chair with my feet up. No reading, making lists, or sleeping — just resting.
Marsha Weitzman
Plainview, New York
I’d turn everything off — no TV, no radio — and just sit in peace.
Jessica Johnson
Purcellville, Virginia
Busy Bees
I’d relearn how to play my flute. It’s something I enjoyed immensely when I was younger but lost touch with as I got busy with children and family obligations.
Sarah Nahmias
Greensburg, Indiana
Fifteen minutes would allow me to clean
my house: reorganize the Tupperware cabinet, run the sweeper more often, dust the baseboards more often, take down my sheers and wash them more often — just those little things that get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
Katie Fowler
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I would hit the elliptical machine at the gym. I’ve lost 32 pounds so far this year, and now that I have more energy, I look for ways to work on becoming stronger and healthier. If the elliptical machines were all full, I’d head straight to the steam room and just relax.
Susan DePaiva
Fort Myers, Florida
I’d chat without interruption with my daughter, visit my mom and just be with her, sit and enjoy the minutes in memory and gratitude, brush the cat, reorganize my underwear and sock drawer, try the hammock I’ve yet to touch since assembling it, and put on Aretha and dance!
Karen Gentry
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Your Turn
Share your own story:
What would you do with an extra 15 minutes? 
