Elastic Time

Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity notes that time is relative, in that it depends on where you are measuring from and why. In my personal experience, that seems to ring true, though maybe not quite the way Einstein meant. As I have become older, time seems to rush past with increasing speed. A year now only takes what used to seem like 5, and each day is over before I’ve completed half of the tasks on my list. I wonder why that is? Is it because I have a different frame of reference in my 50s than I did in my 20s? Or is it because I’m busier, or slower, or more tired, etc?

One thing that has become clear over the years is that the key to making your available time fit your life is to learn to prioritise, and to say NO occasionally. Each task or activity needs to be deliberately considered in light of how important it is to you. I mean YOU, not your boss or spouse or other people, but you. Even something as mundane as sitting down for a half hour after work to watch a TV show takes up time, and a decision must be made whether the investment of time is worth it to you. Now I know your partner may well say “no it’s not” as you could be doing x, y or z instead, but it’s your time so you get to make the judgement. One of the things to consider is the effect your decision will have on your relationships, so it’s wise not to ignore their input completely.