garbage time vs. quality time

Hi friend,

Jerry Seinfeld said something that I can’t stop thinking about.

You’ve likely heard someone use the phrase “quality time” at some point in your life.

You’re parents might say, “We need to spend some quality time together as a family”.

Maybe they have a vacation in mind. Or a road trip. Just something fun and new.

But if I ask you to think about one of your parents, or a good friend, what comes to mind?

Is it the weekend getaway, a birthday party, a road trip?

Probably not.

Odds are it’s some stupid, seemingly insignificant moment the two of you shared.

I have the privilege of several close friendships. We’ve spent a ton of “quality time” together, but ultimately it’s the “garbage time” that I remember most vividly:

Carpooling in complete silence to a 4:45 a.m. shift at a golf course.

Sitting in a Subway sandwich shop for 3 hours after school to get a deal on their cookies.

Cleaning pigeon shit off a condo balcony.

Watching a friend eat your entire bag of grapes despite not offering them a single one.

Buying a fake Rolex from a random dude at a sketchy gas station, only to have it break a week later.

These moments? They’re garbage time. Pure, unadulterated garbage time.

Garbage time is not created by you, it is gifted to you. It’s not planned or perfect—it just happens. And that’s why it sticks with you for so long.

Quality time? Overrated. It’s the garbage time that makes life genuinely memorable.

Got any garbage time of your own that comes to mind? Hit reply and share. I’m all ears.

ON REPEAT

I was blasting this on my drive into the city yesterday.

Gambino on a rock song was not on my 2024 bingo card, but I’ll take it.

Until next time, try not to take life too seriously.

Talk soon,

Devin

P.S. In case you missed it, here is my link to my free reading list.