Time = Capacity, Capability or Energy to do what you want and need to do.
So while the objective definition of Time (24 hours) is universal, what it means for everyone is very different.
When I say to myself, “I don’t have time” …
I generally stop and ask: What is it I am lacking right now?
(1) Is it energy?
Perhaps I had a poorly little ninja to look after, or perhaps I had to help an older one with a last-minute-urgent-homework due the next day.
(2) Or perhaps I lack capability.
I have something I need to do, but I haven’t quite got the skills to do it – so I am mentally adding in the “learning/research/trying to figure out how to do it” effort into the activity.
(3) Or maybe I just don’t have enough capacity.
There’s only so much I can fit during waking hours.
Of course, I can ‘eat’ into my sleeping hours, but that would just exacerbate the problem. See (1) above.
A mum of a newborn will view time totally different from a young professional who can pull all nighters on projects.
I remember when the twin ninjas were born, my life was a rinse and repeat 3-hour cycle:
– Feed
– Burp
– Express
– Sterilize
– Put to sleep
– Eat/toilet/shower/tidy/whatever <— that’s just for me
😴😵😲😓🥰😣🥱
Exercise? What’s that?
Hot food? I’m munching on cold toast with two tiny humans attached to me. 😬
I have also discovered that those who grieve will have a very confusing relationship with Time.
This gives rise to a whole jumble of emotions – some painful ones and some bittersweet ones of loss, pain, regret, love.
Memories of what had been, and thoughts of what could be.
Don’t worry if you haven’t sussed it all out.
I don’t think many of us have.
Our relationship with Time changes all the (ahem) time.
Understand why it is this way.
Embrace it.
And most of all, #BeKind to yourself.
ps – little ninja helped colour, shade and label the hourglasses in the doodle below. I think she’s made it 10x better 🥰
What’s lovely is that she understood its meaning without me having to explain it at all. ❤
