I have been spending time finishing a course on the Science of Wellbeing from Yale University. It has been fascinating and very enjoyable but I have found myself putting it on pause frequently because I just don’t have time. It is like this personal mantra, “I can’t because I just don’t have time.” Interestingly one of the lectures talked about time affluence.

Time affluence is about feeling you have enough time in your day to do the things you want to do. Raise your hand it that is your life experience. I can honestly say it isn’t mine and I am realizing a life out of balance filled with time confetti. This phrase was coined by Brigid Schulte and addresses our technology heavy, multi tasking, over scheduled way of fragmenting our time and leaving us with little pieces of leisure time.

One thing I have learned in the Science of Wellbeing course is that in the case of time vs money, it is time that makes us happier. In my younger years I believed I needed to put in more hours to be successful. I realize now that I am more productive when I am well rested, connected, happy and focused. I can achieve far more in less time than what the “overwork” culture has led me to believe.

So spending more time to earn more money doesn’t equate a happier person. That goes against much of what we have been taught. The earlier we realize this in life the more likely we will see the mental health benefits that come with having time to do what makes us happy. Here are a few thoughts on how to be more time affluent.

Build it in

Create time in your week for leisure activities. It is so easy to procrastinate and put it off until we have more time. Schedule it in the same way you would schedule your dental or chiropractor appointments. Make it part of your week and assign it value.

Identify what matters to you

What are the things you wish you had more time for? For me I think I need to meditate more but I need to connect with other people more too. That means that I will be looking for opportunities to do leisure activities with friends or even strangers in a meditation class. I find I am saying this more and more these days but mindset does matter.

Outsource

The idea of outsourcing sounds expensive and yes some things are financially costly but you receive time in exchange. Are there activities that take up your time that you really don’t enjoy? The obvious for me is cleaning and yes the alternative is costly but in terms of value for the Saturday morning I receive back in time it is priceless. Outsourcing can also happen from within our own homes. It can be utilizing your teenagers a little more or asking our partner to help. Meal planning is one of the areas that clients often find overwhelming. What if each person in the household cooked once per week? On your off days, you could have a coffee with a friend, meditate or read a book in the time you have just found yourself.

Use your time with intention

Choose what you do and how you do it wisely. Less multi tasking and more focus can help you be more productive and may result in freeing up time in your day. If you have a block of time for leisure what you do differently? I realize that if I were using my time with intention I would absolutely use it differently. I would not leave it to chance and would be more purposeful in seeking out what I need.

To be truly time affluent takes focus and commitment to our own wellbeing. Remember…just a little shift can change everything!

Author: Kimberley Gunning, MSW,RSW