On Time: The Reason We Pursue Financial Freedom
Time is a universal constant, yet how we perceive time varies. In this post, we’ll explore how to make the most of our 24 hours and even slow down how we experience time.
Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash
This is a quick post about a preferably long topic. Ah, the irony. I’ll be floating some ideas that I must investigate further.
This post is about time. It’s not a call for punctuality.
[However, I tend to be an on-time person versus a late person. Have you seen Mike Birbiglia’s bit? It’s hilarious. It’s from his Thank God For Jokes Netflix special. Watch it.]
What I love about time is that it’s the great equalizer. Time doesn’t care if we’re rich or poor. Everyone’s day is 24 hours long. It’s how we spend our time that matters.
In fact, one could argue that when we control our time, we’re richer than someone with more money.
Financial freedom sets us up for success because it awards us time. That’s the whole point, right?
Without the commitments of a full-time job, we’re free to investigate how we spend our days. For many, this causes angst. “What am I supposed to do with myself?!”
We suddenly have more time to:
Move slowly on purpose. It’s the opposite of hustle culture.
Deepen our relationships. Relationships take time to develop.
Follow our interests and seek out opportunities. We’re searching for what’s important.
Once we control our time, we immediately want more of it. This often leads to a newfound focus on health and wellness. It’s a great mission: Improve our health (and healthspan), so we’re active longer for family, friends, and anyone who needs us.
Next, we think about perceived time. Have you ever thought “Why did time pass so slowly as a kid when now years seem to fly by?”
What causes time to slow down, and can we influence it? I’ve learned that two things help us slow perceived time.
New and different experiences slow down time as we take in experiences we’re not used to. [Check out this cool Radiolab episode, from 4:40 to 11:35.]
Moving slowly lets us take the time necessary to consciously appreciate these experiences.
So, having achieved financial freedom, my goal is to use my time as best I can. I want to:
Keep myself healthy by eating well and exercising. (Haha. I write this as if it’s easy.)
Do things slowly. For example, I’ll slow-travel over 1-3 months instead of taking a quick two-week vacation.
And keep doing new and different things! Sticking with traveling: I’ll try a different region with each slow trip.
Beyond that, I’m not sure. I think everyone’s ultimate goal is to use whatever time we have left to live a fulfilled life. But that is different for everyone.
A fulfilled life for you could be choosing to do some combination of these activities (or others).
Move near family and friends
Practice religion
Meditate
Volunteer
Teach
Deepen your learning
Work on yourself (therapy)
Work toward big, impactful changes (society, environment)
Or maybe not… Is there even such a thing as free will?
Such big questions.
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Brian Herriot remains uncomfortable with life’s big questions from his home in Alameda, California, and cabin in Hazelhurst, Wisconsin. He also prepares financial freedom plans for consultants and other mid-career professionals in one-week sprints. Check out his take on a new and different kind of retirement at choosyconsultant.com.