Time is a unit of measurement, consisting of seconds, minutes, and hours. It is divided into day and night, and it flows through the four seasons. Time spans years, decades, and millennia. It is constant, always passing one second at a time. So why does time sometimes feel fast and sometimes feel slow? If time is constant, shouldn’t it feel the same all the time?
Perhaps time itself is the same, but our attention to it varies. When we sleep, time seems to pass more quickly because we are unconscious. When we stand in line waiting for the bathroom, time feels long because our attention is focused on how much longer we must wait. Time at school or work can feel fast when we are absorbed in something interesting, but it can feel endless when we are bored and disinterested.
When we reflect on time, it can feel as though we’ve blinked and suddenly grown old, or as if we’ve lived forever and have all the time in the world left to live.
Our experience of time is not only shaped by what we are doing, but also by how we choose to frame it. In moments of heightened awareness, we may become acutely conscious of each second, making time seem to slow down. Yet in moments of routine, when our minds wander, time appears to rush ahead without us. It is as though time itself remains constant, but our relationship with it is fluid, shaped by our perceptions, emotions, and the rhythms of our lives. Understanding this paradox, how something so constant can feel so different at different times, may be the key to appreciating the fleeting nature of life itself.
Henri Bergson wrote in Time and Free Will that there is a distinction between measured time by clocks and subjective time by experience. The true emotional lived experience of time is more meaningful than mechanical, objective time.
So, how should we spend our time? Since the perception of time is influenced by our awareness, it’s important to stay present and avoid letting time pass by unconsciously. One of the biggest time burglars is media, such as television, tablets, and cell phones. How many of your waking hours are spent plugged into a screen? On average, adults spend three to four hours watching television and three to four hours on their cell phones. Combined, this means adults spend six to eight hours in front of screens each day. This number is even higher for teenagers—a staggering fact when you consider that it’s recommended to get eight hours of sleep, leaving only sixteen waking hours in the day. On average, half of that time is spent disconnected.
It would be in your best interest to limit your screen time, but this is not an easy task. You can monitor your screen time and adjust the amount of time you spend on it. Being mindful of this time-wasting habit is the first step toward remedying it. Time is precious, and no one knows when their time will run out permanently.
Routines are not as guilty as media consumption, but they are often performed without present awareness. While routines offer many benefits, too much repetition can leave us feeling disconnected, as these activities can become automatic and unconscious. A healthy balance involves maintaining a routine while also mixing things up. For instance, listening to music or a podcast during routine activities can help enrich the mundane and keep you more engaged.
Now that we’ve addressed the two biggest culprits for disconnection, what should one do with all that time? And here lies the real difficulty: what to do? Life didn’t have so many conveniences and automations in the past; things were done by hand, and traveling took weeks, even months. Humans have engineered every conceivable convenience, making life so easy and time so plentiful. With everything done for us, there is nothing left to do, so most opt to be entertained by a glowing screen rather than do nothing. It is hard to figure out what to do. People who don’t know what to do with themselves often face questions of meaning: What is the meaning of life? And what should I do with my time to fulfill that meaning?
I have my own speculations, but nothing definitive. Some individuals circumvent this problem by having faith in something bigger than themselves—a deity or deities that provide meaning and give goals to fulfill one’s time. When one lacks faith, they are left in the dark and can fall into existentialism. So, the pacifier of glowing screens once again becomes appealing.
I believe a good use of time is spent engaging in the arts, whether by creating or immersing oneself in them. I would not take Plato’s view on the arts—that they are merely an entertaining imitation of reality and a dangerous delusion. Art can evoke emotion and ideas, engage in a shared human experience, and make one feel less isolated and alone. Creating art can provide a sense of achievement, an outlet for emotions, and a way to connect with the world. For me, it is undoubtedly a valuable use of time.
I would also advocate for spending time in nature. Not only does fresh air, exercise, and sunlight contribute to our well-being, but in today’s world, where we often spend too much time on concrete surfaces, in air-conditioned spaces, and in a state of comfort, it's essential to step outside. Feel the wind in your hair, the dirt on your feet, run your hands through the leaves, and listen to the birds sing. Better still, if possible, travel to see other wonders of nature in different climates, where different birds sing. While you’re there, explore the art of other cultures, experience different ways of life, and broaden your understanding of the world.
Most importantly, we should connect with other living beings and experience love, care, compassion, and empathy. I say "living beings" because so many people focus on finding a human match—a soulmate or kindred spirit. While meaningful relationships with people may come and go in our lives, measuring them all against the ideal of a soulmate can be unrealistic. Some people share an infinite bond with animals, feeling connected to their pets as if they were family. Pets cannot talk or judge; they are pure souls of endless love. Even if you find your soulmate, one of you will usually part from this world before the other, and the one left behind may drift into despair. Having a pet can breathe life into someone who is grieving, providing them with something to care for and love, which in return loves them unconditionally.
The meaning of life is simply to love as much as you can, to learn as much as you can, and to experience as much as you can. Spending your time staring at a glowing screen of mindless entertainment can be enjoyable in small doses, but I encourage you to use your time wisely. Am I perfect at following my own advice? No, I too get sucked into the glowing screens, but being aware of it as a bad habit makes me feel guilty, and I try to get myself back on track. So, put down your phones, turn off your televisions, embrace the ones you love, engage in the arts, and get outside. It will feed your soul, and best of all, it will be time well spent.
