Wasting Time Is As Important As Enjoying It

Wasting time is a very relative concept. In fact, it would be convenient to change this idea and apply it from another perspective: as a valuable key to our well-being.

Let’s think about this for a moment. We live in a society that has taught us that time is “golden” and that every second of our lives should be put to good use.

Taking this approach at face value will undoubtedly lead to the familiar and recurring stress and anxiety disorder. It is these conditions that, like a thermometer, reflect a latent disease in our world: the fact that we neglect ourselves.

Therefore, time is neither gold nor silver nor tin: time is life. Knowing how to manage it and allowing yourself to do nothing from time to time, limiting yourself to being, feeling and being, is to gain health.

However, we have difficulty putting this idea into practice. When we spend so many hours of our lives in “productivity” mode, the mind begins to interpret that to fall down on the couch and rest is to waste time.

On the other hand, Dr. Alex Soojung-Kim Pan, a specialist in time management also known for his work as a consultant in Silicon Valley, explains in his book ‘Rest’ how to be more productive while working less.

Now, it ‘s time for us to make a profound rethink about our lifestyle and work. We must be aware that sometimes wasting time is gaining time. This will allow us to recharge our energies and find calm amidst the clutter.

Wasting time is gaining life

Max Weber, a well-known philosopher, economist and sociologist from the beginning of the 20th century, left us a valuable reflection that seems to have been diluted by time.

According to Weber, with the arrival of the industrial revolution, people began to think of professional life almost as a moral principle. Working wasn’t just a way to earn money to survive, it was (and is) much more than that.

Work, for many, is a way to dignify the human being. Activity is productivity, creation and a way to contribute to society. This is all true, but sometimes we take this point to an extreme.

There are many people who are unable to relax; men and women who feel real frustration and even guilt when they do nothing.

This approach, in which it is understood that inactivity is synonymous with wasting time, leads us to states of great psychological distress.

An example: there is a curious study carried out at the University of Mainz, Germany, by Dr. Leonard Reinecke, which points out something interesting. A good part of us even devalues ​​ourselves when we spend time watching television.

We like to watch movies and series, but some people tend to judge themselves by doing this. What is the reason? We blame downtime and wasted time.

Don’t be like the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland

“I’m in a hurry, I’m in a hurry!” said the white rabbit from ‘Alice in Wonderland’. This friendly and iconic character symbolizes the image of that disease that defines many people like no one else: that of hyperoccupation.

Let’s admit it: we always have something to do, we are always busy watching the clock and with the indefinable anguish of not being able to fulfill our obligations.

This type of behavior fosters “hyper-responsibility” and self-demanding. Everything needs to be done quickly and perfectly. These are two dimensions that undoubtedly lead us to the abyss of anxiety and extremely exhausting psychological states.

The culture of productivity and perfection has made us feel guilty for the simple fact of dedicating time to “doing nothing”.

Sometimes, even trying to enjoy a well-deserved vacation, our minds torture us with thoughts of all the things we’re supposed to be doing.

Take a break and enjoy life

Sometimes wasting time doesn’t take anything away from you; quite the contrary: it gives it life. Let’s think about this for a moment: it’s time to eliminate from our minds the “I should” or “I have to”.

It’s an ideal time to be kids again, taking advantage of boredom. Walk through this dimension where the voice of your inner being finally feels free, relaxed and even fun.

Appreciate the art of doing nothing, as doing it for a few hours a day won’t leave any aftereffects, but it will open many doors. The mind is sanitized, creativity, reflection and intuition flourish.

As we mentioned earlier, we must understand that working better does not necessarily mean working harder. It has been shown that working fewer hours is more productive and improves our quality of life.

Let us learn, therefore, to give ourselves to that exceptional gift that, however much we desire it, is limited: time. Give yourself quality of life and the opportunity to simply exist, be, be, and have fun with the five senses.