Time is an Energy Exchange
- Cayla Wright
- Jul 26, 2024
- 4 min read
It's an overwhelming feeling that there are not enough hours in the day.
Why do we really say that there are not enough hours in the day? Where does this feeling come from? It seems pretty simple and self-explanatory, but I want to dig deeper in this article.
What is an energy exchange?
Energy exchange is the dynamic and reciprocal transfer of energy between individuals, activities, or environments. This process involves the input and output of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual energy, which can either replenish or deplete one's overall energy levels. It underscores the impact of interactions and engagements on an individual's vitality and well-being.
But what does that mean and how does it relate to how many hours are in the day?
Let's start with an example. If you are working all day and you come home drained, your job is taking more energy away from you than it is giving. This could be any kind of energy mentioned above. You could be mentally or physically exerting yourself. You could be working with the public and dealing with emotionally draining situations. You could even be sacrificing your personal or spiritual beliefs because of your job. This is because you are most likely just working to get by, and your job is not all -around enjoyable to you. Maybe it has its perks and it's not all bad, but it is still very draining.
Once you are finally home and free to do whatever you want, you have other responsibilities that need tending to. Maybe you have to cook a meal, wash clothes, run some errands, etc. Once you've done all of that you barely have any energy left to do the things that light you up. Before you know it, the day is over, and you wake up the next day to do the same thing over and over again.
This is where burnout starts to creep in. It seems like you spend all your time waiting. Waiting for appointments, waiting for work to be over, waiting for free time, waiting for all kinds of things. When you do get time to yourself, you don't know what to do with it or how to use it wisely. Then you get overwhelmed with the amount of options available to you and are unable to make a choice, so you just end up being unproductive instead. This leads to feelings of worthlessness and incompetence. This is a terrible yet common cycle to fall into.
Let's look at things from a different perspective now.
Let's pretend that time is money. We only have so much time in the bank, and it resets every day because we spend it all up to survive because 24 hours a day is the cost of living for every human being. The only difference is that we can't save time by stacking it up and rolling it over to the next day. What we can do is invest time.
If we can't roll it over, how can we invest? We can do this because the payout of your time investment isn't more time. You get to choose what the payout is! If you choose to invest your time into becoming a teacher, you will get a teaching degree out of your investment. If you choose to spend quality time with your family, you will get a stronger bond and relationship with them out of your investment. If you choose to spend your time learning a new topic, you will gain more knowledge.
If you look at time as something that you are consciously spending, like money, does it make it seem a bit more valuable? It can feel empowering to know that you get to choose how to invest your time, and the payout that you receive. You have control over how you choose to spend your time. It may feel like you don't have options, but you are the one who holds all the power in your life. Any power that you don't have, you have given away and assigned to someone or something else. You can take that power back!
It may seem like an impossible feat. If you start small and acknowledge your progress every tiny step along the way, you can take your life back moment by moment.
Some tips for spending your time wisely
Schedule micro-sessions in your calendar to do things that you love, even if it is in an unconventional way.
Have a list of options for free time and circle your top 1-3 options so that you don't get overwhelmed when you do get time to yourself.
Set boundaries with others and schedule alone time when you need it. It's ok to put your foot down when necessary.
Figure out what gives you energy. Pay attention to the times you feel exhilarated and elated, and put yourself in a position to experience those things more often.
Don't be afraid to try new things that you think you might enjoy, and don't be afraid to suck at them when you're first starting out.
Find a support system. Even if it is just online, it's important to have people to talk to and to enjoy our time with.
How you choose to spend your time is crucial because it's an energy exchange. By focusing on positive exchanges, you can lead a more fulfilling life.
"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." – Theophrastus
Take a moment today to think about how you're spending your time. What changes can you make to ensure your energy is well-spent?
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