--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The bus was hardly moving, but I could…" description: "\"“The bus was hardly moving, but I could hardly keep pace with my own thoughts. “I’ve got to tackle this,” I told myself. “As soon as I have some free t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/gretchen-rubin-867_free-time_the-bus-was-hardly-moving-but-i-could-ha_242679.png" --- # The bus was hardly moving, but I could hardly keep pace… ![“The bus was hardly moving, but I could hardly keep pace with my own thoughts. “I’ve got to tackle this,” I told myself. “As soon as I have some free time, I should start a happiness project.” But I never had any free time. When life was taking its ordinary course, it was hard to remember what…” quote by Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/gretchen-rubin-867_free-time_the-bus-was-hardly-moving-but-i-could-ha_242679.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/gretchen-rubin-867_free-time_the-bus-was-hardly-moving-but-i-could-ha_242679.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/gretchen-rubin-867_free-time_the-bus-was-hardly-moving-but-i-could-ha_242679.png) > ““The bus was hardly moving, but I could hardly keep pace with my own thoughts. “I’ve got to tackle this,” I told myself. “As soon as I have some free time, I should start a happiness project.” But I never had any free time. When life was taking its ordinary course, it was hard to remember what really mattered; if I wanted a happiness project, I’d have to make the time. I had a brief vision of myself living for a month on a picturesque, windswept island, where each day I would gather seashells, read Aristotle, and write in an elegant parchment journal. Nope, I admitted, that’s not going to happen. I needed to find a way to do it here and now. I needed to change the lens through which I viewed everything familiar. All”” [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finding time for happiness requires reframing daily life and prioritizing intentional moments over imagined perfect scenarios. **In simple terms:** Make space for happiness now, not later. Key Takeaway Create small, intentional joy habits. Themes happiness mindfulness time management Mood hopeful motivated Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - daily routines - personal rituals - stress reduction Key Concepts intentional living focus present‑moment Questions to Reflect On - What small habit can I start today? - How can I shift my perspective to see joy now? A Different Perspective Idealizing perfection can stall action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-time/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Happiness Project](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-project-514775/) [Start Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-happiness-2429768/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wanted Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-happiness-688226/) ## Related quotes > [If I can do something in less than one minute, I don't let myself procrastinate. I hang up my coat, put newspapers in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/if-i-can-do-something-in-less-than-one-minute-i-don-t-let-myself/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“couldn’t just jump into this happiness project. I had a lot to learn before I was ready for my year to begin. After my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/couldn-t-just-jump-into-this-happiness-project-i-had-a-lot-to-learn/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [The quickest route to happiness is to stop caring about finding happiness and to start being happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-quickest-route-to-happiness-is-to-stop-caring-about-finding/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You want to be starting something today. Start something happiness for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/you-want-to-be-starting-something-today-start-something-happiness-for/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I wanted to show my happiness to the fans, let them know that I want to be here and try to take Fulham forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cairney/i-wanted-to-show-my-happiness-to-the-fans-let-them-know-that-i-want/) [Tom Cairney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cairney/) > [You should have fallen in love with a happy man, if you wanted happiness. But no, you had to fall for the breathtaking beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/you-should-have-fallen-in-love-with-a-happy-man-if-you-wanted/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [You wanted happiness, I can’t blame you for that, and maybe a mouth sounds idiotic when it blathers on about joy but tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-siken/you-wanted-happiness-i-can-t-blame-you-for-that-and-maybe-a-mouth/) [Richard Siken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-siken/) > [I've had my stint at Columbus. My family has been right by my side throughout, and that's exactly what I wanted. I found my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-steffen/i-ve-had-my-stint-at-columbus-my-family-has-been-right-by-my-side/) [Zack Steffen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-steffen/) > [“She wanted him happy, more even than she wanted happiness for herself. And yet, knowing he was on his way to finding what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/she-wanted-him-happy-more-even-than-she-wanted-happiness-for-herself/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [Guard your children's free time - from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/guard-your-children-s-free-time-from-you/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Happiness is a critical factor for work, and work is a critical factor for happiness. In one of those life-isn’t-fair results, it turns out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/happiness-is-a-critical-factor-for-work-and-work-is-a-critical-factor/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Happiness is a critical factor for work, and work is a critical factor for happiness. In one of those life-isn't-fair results, it turns out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/happiness-is-a-critical-factor-for-work-and-work-is-a-critical-factor-2/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“Second Splendid Truth One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/second-splendid-truth-one-of-the-best-ways-to-make-yourself-happy-is/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“Once upon a time in our not-so-distant past, experts predicted that with the rapidly increasing advances in technology, Americans would have a shorter workweek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-c-wilson/once-upon-a-time-in-our-not-so-distant-past-experts-predicted-that/) [Jared C. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-c-wilson/) > [“I settled into a contented routine of working, spending my free time with Veronica and, back in my student room, wanking explosively to fantasies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/i-settled-into-a-contented-routine-of-working-spending-my-free-time/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) ## More by Gretchen Rubin > [“Second Splendid Truth One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/second-splendid-truth-one-of-the-best-ways-to-make-yourself-happy-is/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Knowing what you admire in others is a wonderful mirror into your deepest, as yet unborn, self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/knowing-what-you-admire-in-others-is-a-wonderful-mirror-into-your/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Being taken for granted is an unpleasant but sincere form of praise. Ironically, the more reliable you are and the less you complain, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/being-taken-for-granted-is-an-unpleasant-but-sincere-form-of-praise/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“one Secret of Adulthood is “Never start a sentence with the words ‘No offense’”? “And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/one-secret-of-adulthood-is-never-start-a-sentence-with-the-words-no/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [One of the findings that really interests me is that, although we think we ACT because of the way we FEEL, we often FEEL…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/one-of-the-findings-that-really-interests-me-is-that-although-we/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [We all want to get along well with other people, and one way to do this is to help people feel good about themselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/we-all-want-to-get-along-well-with-other-people-and-one-way-to-do/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [During my study of happiness, I noticed something that surprised me: I often learn more from one person's highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/during-my-study-of-happiness-i-noticed-something-that-surprised-me-i/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [There is a preppy wabi-sabi to soft, faded khakis and cotton shirts, but it's not nice to be surrounded by things that are worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/there-is-a-preppy-wabi-sabi-to-soft-faded-khakis-and-cotton-shirts/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“There are times in the lives of most of us,” observed William Edward Hartpole Lecky, “when we would have given all the world to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/there-are-times-in-the-lives-of-most-of-us-observed-william-edward/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“I started thinking more about music. I thought I'd accepted the fact that, as part of "Being Gretchen," I didn't really like music, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-started-thinking-more-about-music-i-thought-i-d-accepted-the-fact/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [If you've had something for more than six months, and it's still not repaired, it's clutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/if-you-ve-had-something-for-more-than-six-months-and-it-s-still-not/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“The pleasure of doing the same thing, in the same way, every day, shouldn't be overlooked. The things I do every day take on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/the-pleasure-of-doing-the-same-thing-in-the-same-way-every-day/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Although we often assume that feelings inspire actions, in fact, actions also inspire feelings. By pushing myself to act happier, I make myself feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/although-we-often-assume-that-feelings-inspire-actions-in-fact/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [I love finding - or inventing - ways to categorize people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-love-finding-or-inventing-ways-to-categorize-people/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“After someone's death, how strange to see the value drain away from his or her possessions; useful objects such as clothes, or dish towels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/after-someone-s-death-how-strange-to-see-the-value-drain-away-from/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) [Explore all 346 Gretchen Rubin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) ## More Free time quotes > [“I settled into a contented routine of working, spending my free time with Veronica and, back in my student room, wanking explosively to fantasies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/i-settled-into-a-contented-routine-of-working-spending-my-free-time/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [“Once upon a time in our not-so-distant past, experts predicted that with the rapidly increasing advances in technology, Americans would have a shorter workweek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-c-wilson/once-upon-a-time-in-our-not-so-distant-past-experts-predicted-that/) [Jared C. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-c-wilson/) > [“Most families have increased the speed of their lives and the number of their activities gradually--even unconsciously--over time. They realize that there are costs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-john-payne/most-families-have-increased-the-speed-of-their-lives-and-the-number/) [Kim John Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-john-payne/) > [Even in those early years of Static-X, there was a pattern emerging where I would spend all my free time writing songs for Static-X…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-static/even-in-those-early-years-of-static-x-there-was-a-pattern-emerging/) [Wayne Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-static/) > [“I admire all the great people who have dedicated their free time to helping humanity move forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/i-admire-all-the-great-people-who-have-dedicated-their-free-time-to/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [“All right, you caught me. I'm secretly obsessed with you and spend all my free time writing about you in my journal. 'Dear Diary,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-scott/all-right-you-caught-me-i-m-secretly-obsessed-with-you-and-spend-all/) [Elizabeth Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-scott/) > [“What if I turned out to be a great kisser, and suddenly, girls everywhere wanted to kiss me? Did I really want to risk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-l-madden/what-if-i-turned-out-to-be-a-great-kisser-and-suddenly-girls/) [S.L. Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-l-madden/) > [“This is possibly the most revolutionary idea Marx ever had: that the reduction of labour to a minimum could produce a kind of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mason/this-is-possibly-the-most-revolutionary-idea-marx-ever-had-that-the/) [Paul Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mason/) > [I'm in school every day. It depends on what it is that you do with all that free time when I'm not on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mc-lyte/i-m-in-school-every-day-it-depends-on-what-it-is-that-you-do-with-all/) [MC Lyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mc-lyte/) > [“Most humans manage to squander their free time, as free time makes them dysfunctional, lazy, and unmotivated—the busier they get, the more active they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/most-humans-manage-to-squander-their-free-time-as-free-time-makes/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Missing someone and barely having the control to not text them every second that you have free time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/missing-someone-and-barely-having-the-control-to-not-text-them-every/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's why they call it work, because it's not what you'd prefer to do with your free time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/that-s-why-they-call-it-work-because-it-s-not-what-you-d-prefer-to-do/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [“I found my mind wandering at games; loved boxing and was good at it; and in summer, having chosen rowing instead of cricket, lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-leigh-fermor/i-found-my-mind-wandering-at-games-loved-boxing-and-was-good-at-it/) [Patrick Leigh Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-leigh-fermor/) > [The perfect life would be to have an amazing part every year and to spend all my free time to just write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-laurent/the-perfect-life-would-be-to-have-an-amazing-part-every-year-and-to/) [Melanie Laurent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-laurent/) > [You'd be surprised how much free time I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-rifkind/you-d-be-surprised-how-much-free-time-i-have/) [Malcolm Rifkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-rifkind/) [Browse all 473 Free time quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-time/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The bus was hardly moving, but I could hardly keep pace with my own thoughts. “I’ve got to tackle this,” I told myself. “As soon as I have some free time, I should start a happiness project.” But I never had any free time. 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