How The Way We Spend Our Time Inevitably Gives Us The Answers to Our Lives' Biggest Decisions
Dec 07, 2023Whether we like it or not, we are all engaged in a great battle of time on this earth. How we give and devote our time, make up for lost time, and find time for what is important shapes our lives. Each day is 24 hours, and each year is roughly 365 days. To better manage our time, we need clarity on how much time we genuinely spend on things we claim are most important.
Sahill Bloom's Instagram post provides insightful data on how we spend our time over the course of our lives. While the charts illustrate how time is allocated, the key is to engage our hearts and minds in every moment. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's quote guides us: "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."
Let's delve into what these charts teach us about making our lives both magnified and meaningful:
Cherish the Family Time You Have - Time Spent with Parents & Siblings (0-20 Years)
Peaks in childhood and declines after age 20. We spend about 4.5 hours a day with our families up to age 20.
Key Takeaways:
You have about 20 years with your parents and siblings; it's limited.
Time with parents declines sharply after age 20.
Prioritize and cherish every moment.
Prioritize Your REAL Friends - Time Spent with Friends (15-30)
Peaks at age 18 and declines sharply. After 27, averages about 30 minutes a day or 3.5 hours a week.
Key Takeaways:
Embrace friendship breadth but focus on depth.
Cherish meaningful friendships as time is short.
Marry Your Best Friend - Time Spent With Partner (18-Death)
Trends upwards until death. It’s the only relationship that grows in time over time. About 3.5 to 4.5 hours per day on average.
Key Takeaways:
Choose a partner wisely; it's the most important decision.
Find someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Never settle for less than love.
Be Present with Your Kids - Time Spent with Children (20-55)
Peaks in your 30s and declines sharply. About 4 hours per day until 40, then levels off to one hour a day at 55.
Key Lessons:
Time with your children is short; be present in every moment.
Embrace the sweetness that children bring to your life.
Find Energy Givers at Work - Time Spent with Coworkers (20-60)
Steady during prime working years. Peaks at 3.5 hours spent with coworkers a day.
Key Lessons:
Choose work you love and people you love working with.
Find energy givers, not energy sucks to work with.
Learn to Love Yourself - Time Spent Alone
Steadily increases throughout life. From 60 on, spend roughly 7 hours alone every day.
Understanding these time dynamics helps us make intentional decisions for a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
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