I Don’t Have Time to Waste

“I don’t have time to waste” is a statement we hear too often, but what if I told you that we are, in fact, here to “waste time.” Many people may disagree with my frame of mind, and I understand why; time is a social construct. We live in a current state of “insta.” Some people want instant gratification in everything they do in life, but nothing worth having comes overnight. Everything we have in life can INSTAntly disappear, so why don’t we spend more time enjoying our lives, living in the moment, and, most of all, taking it slowly? Let’s stop rushing through life. Can you reimagine a world where everyone moves at their own pace? Where can you take your time and not feel bad for moving in your own time? Could you imagine a classroom full of students where every child can learn and grow at their speed? Seriously, please take a minute and think about it. For years growing up, I would hear phrases like Puerto Rican time or Black folk’s time, and what stood out the most was that everyone’s time was perceived as tardiness except for white people's time. You must be thinking, “oh, here she goes bringing race into the conversation,” and yes, I will mention race. We have all been conditioned to understand that there are 24 hours a day, and we must produce as much as possible in those 24 hours (is there not a hint of slavery in that mindset?). What if I told you that trying to be ultra-productive or multi-tasking is actually wasting your time? What if I said that rushing and not looking at what’s around you when you are going to the bank, or walking to the store, is wasting your time? Have you ever gotten in your car, had a million things on your mind while you rushed to your next destination, and didn’t even know how you got there? You don’t know what streets you took; if you almost hit a pedestrian or biker, and you just arrived, rushed out of your car, got the task done, got back in your vehicle, and felt completely drained? This is a sign that you’ve wasted your time. And don’t get me wrong, I’m no different than you. I often rush to take my kid to school, and every single time, I tell myself that I have to do better and slow down. Wake up earlier so I can drive slower to ensure our safety. If we don’t make it to school safely, then everything I did before that moment is wasted. I can go on and on about the constraints on time, so I will digress. What I hope you take away from this is to slow down, assess your surroundings, and ask yourself, “what did I notice in my neighborhood during my commute that I’ve never noticed before?” You will be surprised at how much more productive your life will become once you slow down! Go ahead and waste time…..as long as you’re enjoying the time you’re wasting!