NO OVERTIME
Time is indeed costly – both literally and figuratively.
I know this well, but I still struggle with procrastination every day (“I’ll exercise when I have more time”, “I’ll clear out the storeroom later”). Most Sunday nights, I reflect on my past week and find myself wishing I had made better use of my time.
These days, when I look at my beautiful wall clock, I no longer resent myself for it. I see it now as a reminder of how precious and ephemeral time is.
I plan celebrations ahead of time, no matter how big or small. I’ve stopped rushing through my meals in front of my work laptop, instead taking time to enjoy and savour every bite.
Instead of squeezing them in where free pockets of time pop up, I schedule my new “non-negotiables” into my calendar – fitness time, couple time, one-on-one dates with my children.
I’ve been making it a point to schedule things just for me, too: Exploring a new genre of music or books, checking out new recipes, learning a new craft. Things that may not be “productive” but give me joy.
Of course, like any gift, we don’t have to appreciate time to its fullest, but if we’re prepared to waste it, we must also be prepared for the painful consequences.
For each of us, the clock is always ticking. Extra time is never given to us. We have to learn to take it – to make decisions and actions to choose ourselves and our loved ones.
And to you, dear reader, I hope you don’t have to buy an expensive clock of your own to appreciate this message. (Unless you want to, that is.)
Yvonne Kong-Ho is an associate faculty in a university. She is also pursuing PhD studies part-time.
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