Why Free Time Disappears: Lessons from the Past and Present

On how we find and lose time…

In the early 2000s, I had been living in the country for a few years and was working, but I realized that to grow further, I needed to get an American education because a foreign bachelor’s degree wouldn't open doors to solid American corporations. At the same time, I worked six days a week (about 48-50 hours). But I'm a goal-oriented person, and when I set my mind to something, I find the time and the opportunity. And I found over 15 hours a week in my schedule (4 days of 2 hours plus commuting and homework). Fast forward, I finished my last two semesters with David in my arms and as a representative and trainer for a pharmaceutical company with regular business trips, after-hours meetings, and dinners. More than 15 hours a week for several years!!!

The long-awaited day came when I received my degree with honors (Magna Cum Laude). I was overjoyed, and I thought, "Now, I will finally have so much free time." And here’s the thing – with the same ease that those hours were found, they also easily disappeared, or more precisely, dissolved into the daily routine.

Why?

Because I had no specific plans on how to use them or what to invest that valuable resource in. Family, work, and daily concerns literally consumed those hours.

Now, I’m going through a somewhat similar situation: David started driving, and I freed up about 3 hours a day that I used to spend driving (school, sports, friends). I allocated this time to a one-hour morning walk, 1-2 hours for studying, my projects, and reading.

As I’ve said before, we always find time, even in the most challenging life situations, if we really need it. And, accordingly, we always find excuses (“I don’t have time”) if it’s not that important to us.

The choice is always ours.