Hey—it’s Clay.

You ever get to the end of the day and realize you never stopped moving… but can’t remember actually being present for any of it?

Yeah. Me too.

This week’s Kindling isn’t about doing more.
It’s about creating space—on purpose.

Here’s what we’re talking about:

📌 Hidden stress and how it shows up
📌 Building buffers into your day
📌 Why margin isn’t weakness—it’s strategy

Let’s get into it. 🔥

Create Buffers or Burn Out

Let’s get real…
You’re not burned out because life is hard—You can handle hard.
You’re burned out because it’s relentless.

Most guys I know don’t stop; they just switch lanes.
Work to dinner. Dinner to dishes. Dishes to inbox.
No breath. No space. Just go.

And you can grind like that for a while… until you can’t.
Then one day, everything feels heavier than it should.
Not because you’re weak, but because you never built in the margins.

Here’s what I’ve learned (mostly the hard way):
Even five minutes between things can serve as a reset.
You don’t need a full break.
You just need a breath.

So today, do yourself a favor:
Build in a buffer.
Sit for five. Breathe. Don’t scroll. Don’t cram. Just be still.

Then go on to the next thing, with your head actually in it.

You don’t have to push through everything.
Pace yourself like you want to be here for the long haul.

Keep going, but give yourself room to breathe.

A Challenge to Build Margin

Today, block five minutes between your major tasks.
Don’t fill it. Don’t scroll. Just stop.

📌 Because if you don’t create margin, stress will.

Built to Last

You’re not weak for needing a break.
You’re smart for knowing when to take one.

Because stress doesn’t always come crashing in.
Sometimes it creeps in through the cracks we refuse to leave.

So here’s your challenge:

👉 This week, block five minutes between a few tasks.
Don’t scroll. Don’t check anything. Just pause.

Not to be productive.
To protect your peace.

Because the men who last aren’t the ones who push through everything.
They’re the ones who pace themselves for the life they actually want.

Until next time—
Keep the fires burning,
— Clay

If you’re digging Campfire Gentleman, check out a few other newsletters I actually read and recommend. No fluff—just solid stuff from like-minded guys trying to build something that matters.