Out of time?

As I get older I am really starting to reflect on my life and  what I do with my time.  Am I running out of time?

I recently heard a theory that challenges the work life balance.   It discussed how much time we spend at work…or thinking about work in a typical years span.  

I took some time to break this theory down in my own life…

There are 24 hours in a day…7 days in a week…4 weeks in a month…12 months in a year.  

 On a typical work day I will spend: 

• 10 hours at work
• 8 hours sleeping
• 1-2 hours preparing for my day at work (laundry, food prep, thinking about things I need to do)
• 1 hour driving

This leaves approximately 3 hours a day for other things.  

If I do this 4 or 5 days a week that leaves 2-3 days for other things.  Some of this time non-work time is spent recuperating from the weeks’ work or planning/preparing for the upcoming week. 

This continues, week after week, unless I take vacation which typically will equate to 10-15 days a year.

Rinse and repeat. 

I see how the majority of my time and energy will be invested into my job, whether I'm actually working or not.  

Time to truly be present for myself, those I care about, my hobbies and contributions to a greater purpose will mostly take the backseat.  This doesn't feel like a satisfying way to spend my precious time.  There's just got to be a better way! 

In my recent past, I worked at a non-profit where overtime was not allowed.  We were given 'mental health’ days off (with pay) to do something outside of work.  Vacation time, sick time, paid holidays were generously offered.  When at work, I worked hard, but I had lots of availability to be anywhere except work.  My hours were flexible and could be adjusted to meet my schedule.  The people I worked with were some of the happiest and most generous I have ever worked with.  

In a way this job ‘forced’ me to limit the amount of  energy I invested into it. By default, I can so easily get caught up in tasks.

During my time there, I was able to put my energy into giving back and showing up for others.  This is what makes life feel worth it!

Did this company only hire happy and balanced people? Or was it a result of the investment into the 'life' side of the scale?

I've been squirreling around this concept of my current work-life balance for a few days.   Living to work has never been appealing to me.  How could I practice being more available for life?  What would that look like?

I know there’s no promise for what tomorrow will bring.  I don’t want to live to exist…but rather; I want to have lived a life I’m proud of.  

“Don’t wanna fade off into the distance…Am I out of time?” (Staind- Out of time 2023)