The Clock Is Ticking

2025 beckons. What it will mean for you will depend to a large extent on what you choose to focus on.

Have you ever wondered how much time you have for yourself in a day and, more importantly, life?

With the hustle and bustle of modern life, it can feel like there's hardly any time left for what truly matters.

Let's break it down together and see where all our time goes and how much we then have left.

1. Sleep

Sleep is essential; on average, we spend about a third of our lives sleeping.

If you live 75 years, that's about 25 years spent in dreamland.

While it might seem like a lot, sleep is crucial for our health and well-being. Without it, we couldn't function during our waking hours.

2. Work

The typical person works around 8 hours a day, which totals about 40 hours a week.

Over a 40-year career, that adds up to roughly ten years of your life spent working.

It's a significant chunk, and while some of us might enjoy our jobs, others may see it as a necessary evil to pay the bills.

3. Watching Television and Playing Video Games

It's a favourite pastime for many, and the average person spends about 3 hours daily on these activities.

That adds up to about nine years over a lifetime.

4. Social media

This is another major time sink.

On average, people spend about 2 hours a day on social networks, which translates to about six years over a lifetime.

5. Chores

We all have to do them, from laundry to dishes to cleaning.

People spend about 1-2 hours a day doing household chores. Over a lifetime, that's about 4-6 years.

6. Eating

Eating is another daily necessity.

Spending about 1.5 hours a day eating, including meal preparation and dining, adds up to around 4.5 years of your life.

7. School and Learning

School and learning take up a significant portion of our early lives.

Assuming you spend about 7 hours a day at school for 12 years and perhaps another few years in higher education, that's about 3.5 years, not counting homework and additional study.

8. Grooming

Grooming is something we can't avoid.

People spend about 30 minutes to an hour a day getting ready. Over a lifetime, that's about 1-2 years.

9. Shopping

Shopping takes about an hour a week, whether for groceries, clothes, or other items.

Over a lifetime, that's roughly two years.

10. Childcare

For those with children, childcare is a significant time commitment.

Parents might spend around 2 hours a day caring for their children, which adds up to about six years throughout their kids' childhoods.

11. Commuting

If you spend about an hour a day commuting to and from work, that's another three years of your life spent in transit.

When you add the above all up, these essential and not-so-essential activities take up a large portion of our lives.

Here's a quick summary:

Sleeping: 25 years

Working: 10 years

Television/Video Games: 9 years

Social Networks: 6 years

Chores: 4-6 years

Eating: 4.5 years

School/Learning: 3.5 years

Grooming: 1-2 years

Shopping: 2 years

Childcare: 6 years

Commuting: 3 years

That's a total of about 74-77 years.

Given that the average life expectancy is around 75 years, it seems like we're pretty much out of time.

But let's look closer. There's some overlap in these activities.

For example, you might be able to combine childcare with chores or commuting with listening to audiobooks (learning). Plus, not everyone spends the same amount of time on each activity. Some of us might work less, sleep more, or spend less time on social media.

However, we must also consider that not everyone lives to be 75.

Life expectancy can vary greatly depending on health, lifestyle, and unforeseen circumstances.

For example, according to the CDC, the average life expectancy in the United States was around 78.8 years in 2019, but this can be lower in certain areas and higher in others. In South Africa, where I live, the average life expectancy in 2021 was only 62.3 years.

Moreover, many people face unexpected illnesses or accidents that can cut life short.

Considering this, the time we have left for ourselves can be even less than we think.

Let's say you live to be 70 instead of 75. That shaves off five years of potential time, reducing the amount you have for leisure and personal fulfilment.

So, after all these essential activities, how much time do we actually have left for ourselves?

If we generously estimate that there might be some overlapping and perhaps some efficiency improvements, we might find a few hours each day for personal time.

Over a lifetime, this could amount to a couple of years of "free time." But remember, this is if everything goes perfectly, which often it doesn't.

This reality poses a crucial question: how will you spend your remaining time?

This is the time you have to pursue your passions, connect with loved ones, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment.

It's easy to let these precious moments slip away, but you can make the most of them with a bit of mindfulness and intention.

Here are some ideas for making the most of your free time:

1. Pursue a Hobby: Whether painting, hiking, playing a musical instrument, or gardening, having a hobby can be incredibly fulfilling. It's a great way to unwind and express yourself.

2. Spend Time with Loved Ones: Relationships are one of the most critical aspects of our lives. Make time for family and friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

3. Exercise: Physical activity is not only good for your body but also your mind. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it's yoga, running, or dancing, and make it a part of your routine.

4. Learn Something New: Whether it's a new language, a cooking skill, or a craft, learning something new can be very rewarding. It keeps your mind sharp and opens up new possibilities.

5. Volunteer: Giving back to the community can be incredibly rewarding. Find a cause you're passionate about and donate your time and skills.

6. Travel: Exploring new places and cultures can be a life-changing experience. It broadens your perspective and creates lasting memories.

7. Meditate and Reflect: Taking time to meditate and reflect on your life can help you stay grounded and focused on what truly matters.

8. Read: Books can transport you to new worlds and introduce you to new ideas. Make time to read regularly and explore different genres and topics.

9. Create: Whether it's writing, drawing, or crafting, creating something with your own hands can be incredibly satisfying. It's a great way to express yourself and share your unique perspective.

10. Practice Gratitude: Taking time to appreciate what you have can improve your overall well-being and happiness. Keep a gratitude journal, or take a few moments each day to reflect on what you're thankful for.

The key is to be intentional with your time.

It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and let days, months, or even years slip by without really living. By being mindful of how you spend your time and consciously prioritising what's important to you, you can make the most of your time.

Life is short, and time is precious.

Ensure you're spending it in a way that brings you joy and fulfilment. Whether it's pursuing a passion, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around you, make your time count.

Until next time, make every moment count.

Dion Le Roux

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). American Time Use Survey.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Life Expectancy.

3. Herculano-Houzel, S. (2016). The Human Advantage: A New Understanding of How Our Brain Became Remarkable.

4. National Center for Education Statistics. (2020). Digest of Education Statistics.

5. Pew Research Center. (2019). Social Media Fact Sheet.

6. U.S. Department of Transportation. (2020). National Household Travel Survey.

7. U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2016). Time Spent in Food Preparation and Consumption.