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!
How fascinating. I've pondered this topic a lot. Some people may view my liking for long runs and walks as wasted time, but I view them as liberating, enjoyable, and good for my health. Wasted time is so personal. To me, being in an unfulfilling and unrewarding job is the definition of wasted time because it eats away at the time I wish to do other things that is fulfilling and rewarding. Time is not wasted when it is meaningful, whatever that means to you.
Optimizing for personal enjoyment and engagement of one's spirit is a strategy that is worth trying first, cause what if it works? Then you're set until it doesn't anymore. I started doing this when I was 15 and age 62 it's still working.
I often see my social media feed filled with advice like, "It's not about luck. It's about hard work!" When I see these, I always assume they were posted by young people without families. Just taking a little walk with my wife does more for me than putting in another 8 or 10 or 500 hours of work. That's the way it's supposed to be.
Surely exercise isn't time wasted. When your playing some basketball you're outdoors, you're exercising, you may be doing it together with friends so it's a social activity. That's not time wasted at all. Scrolling social media mindlessly on the other hand is definitely time wasted and something we should all do less off!
I like that Ryan. Yes I think any time we spend worrying about whether or not an activity is productive or not could be much better spent just doing the thing itself without any regrets.
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.
Agreed. Time is extremely strange. And its just a made up concept anyways.
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!
Thanks Marie! Phone scrolling may be my least favorite way to waste time yet I still find myself doing it more often than I'd like.
I love a good walk too! We must cherish these moments even if they don't make sense to anyone else.
And oh yes she does! She loves the thrill of thrift shopping and I couldn't be more bored whenever I join her.
I love those gurus too. But I guess its more of a love hate relationship :)
How fascinating. I've pondered this topic a lot. Some people may view my liking for long runs and walks as wasted time, but I view them as liberating, enjoyable, and good for my health. Wasted time is so personal. To me, being in an unfulfilling and unrewarding job is the definition of wasted time because it eats away at the time I wish to do other things that is fulfilling and rewarding. Time is not wasted when it is meaningful, whatever that means to you.
Thanks Joanna! I agree, wasted time is extremely personal. As long as it makes sense to you then who cares what anyone else thinks?
I'm with you on enjoying walks but I can't stand running. It feels like torture to me. But that doesn't diminish its value to you at all.
Those thoughts go through my head on Saturday mornings when my husband goes golfing. But he loves the game!
Haha glad to hear my wife is not alone. Some things that we love just cant be explained or justified. We simply love them for the act itself.
Optimizing for personal enjoyment and engagement of one's spirit is a strategy that is worth trying first, cause what if it works? Then you're set until it doesn't anymore. I started doing this when I was 15 and age 62 it's still working.
Anything that's worked consistently for that many decades is a sign you're on to something!
I often see my social media feed filled with advice like, "It's not about luck. It's about hard work!" When I see these, I always assume they were posted by young people without families. Just taking a little walk with my wife does more for me than putting in another 8 or 10 or 500 hours of work. That's the way it's supposed to be.
Haha you might be right David. Going for a long walk is one of my favorite ways to spend my time as well.
Whatever choices we make, it's best to not worry or overthink it. I feel like worrying is for sure wasted time. A great read, Arman!
Thanks Daniel! I'd rather enjoy my wasted time instead of worrying about how I could be using it more efficiently.
Agreed!
Great article! Very key point: if it doesn’t harm others (and yourself), it’s not always time wasted. Besides, Ball is life!
Thank you Malik. Ball always has been and always will be life!!
Surely exercise isn't time wasted. When your playing some basketball you're outdoors, you're exercising, you may be doing it together with friends so it's a social activity. That's not time wasted at all. Scrolling social media mindlessly on the other hand is definitely time wasted and something we should all do less off!
Haha yes I agree but my wife doesn't always view it that way. Probably because I often come home with bruises, cuts, and scrapes all over my body...
I like that Ryan. Yes I think any time we spend worrying about whether or not an activity is productive or not could be much better spent just doing the thing itself without any regrets.