In search of wasted time
is wasted time really time wasted?
The secret to life is wasting time in ways that you like.
That idea was unpalatable to me the first time I heard it. Which, of course, made me curious to explore it further.
Jerry Seinfeld snuck that line into one of the dozens of interviews he’s done lately. At first, I figured he was just trying to get a laugh out of the host. I mean, that’s what he does for a living.
But could there be some profound truth here?
If not, then the joke’s on me.
Let’s find out.
If you’re anything like me, you often have to resist the urge to always feel like you’re doing something productive with your precious time. Thanks to a handful of productivity gurus who shall not be named. Actually fu** it, let’s name some names — Cal Newport, Ali Abdaal, and yes even Tim Ferriss (still love ya man!). They make a convincing case that wasting time is a deadly sin.
Which leads us to haul around a heavy load of guilt and shame. As if the productivity gods are just waiting to strike us down the moment we even consider wasting a little time.
No wonder why it’s so hard to waste time in a meaningful way.
But then I had a strange realization: wasted time is never time wasted.
With two important caveats — as long as you like it and it doesn’t harm others.
The more I think about it, I’m realizing that many of my most cherished moments would seem like an utter waste of time to others.
My preferred method is playing basketball.
My wife seems utterly perplexed every time I inform her that I’m going to hoop on a Saturday morning. She (usually) bites her tongue. But I know some variation of the following questions float around her head as I walk out the door:
“It’s not like you’re trying out for an NBA team, so what’s the point?”
“Why don’t you go to the office and earn some more commission to pay for that new Ford Bronco I’ve been eyeing?”
“Why do you feel compelled to waste your time with such a pointless activity?”
All valid questions.
“For the love of the game” is the only honest response I can come up with.
I used to think I was crazy for wasting time on an activity that had zero benefit to my future self. Now I’m starting to think everyone else is crazy if they don’t have that one activity they love wasting time on.
How do you waste time in ways that you like?
It may not make sense to anyone else. That’s a great sign.
It means you aren’t doing it for any ulterior motives. You’re simply doing it for the sheer joy it brings you.
Maybe Jerry was right.
What do you think? Is wasted time really time wasted?
Your thoughts, complaints, criticisms? Please leave a reply below.
I think we can only measure our actions by their intent and intensity, not in time.
Who can tell, if that time is wasted. Only we decide. And we too change that perspective from time to time.
Time is a weird concept.
Yess to wasting time in a meaningful way AKA not scrolling on the phone. My favourite activities are reading fiction stories, chilling in my sunbed on the terrace (in the shadow), taking a nap, walking... I love those activities 😄 Think about what your life would look like not having these things?
Your wife must have activities of herself that have the same meaning as basketball has for you, right?
And actually I love those productivity gurus and at the same time not, because I hate the guilt and shame feeling that comes with taking a much needed and recharging break!