Free Time
If time is money, what’s the value of yours? You could say mine is cheap. Currently, I’m working a short week, so I have an abundance of time.
Even if you love your job, a typical working week tends to increase the pressure on your evenings and weekends. That’s if you have the energy remaining to truly enjoy your downtime. There’s limited space to fit everything you want to achieve alongside what you need to do. Personally, I could never justify needing a cleaner, not that I could afford one.
Sometimes, all I do is tune out of the subtle sound of suds popping as I stand by the dishes, watching them soak while I sing. It’s a place of peace my neighbours must’ve learned to live with, seeing as I’ve yet to receive a complaint. Maybe they’ve never even heard; after all, they’re probably at work.
That’s the thing: free time is as much a blessing as a curse. It is what you make of it. What’s the harm in wasting some when there’s plenty of it? Unless I convince myself otherwise, a wet winter morning can easily transition to darkness without ever leaving the living room.
Despite my schedule being the envy of some friends, many don’t consider there’s rarely anyone else to enjoy those moments with. Fortunately, I appreciate my own company.
However, even if I had more hours at work and, in turn, income, what would I actually do with it? Knowing myself, I’d probably buy more clothes than I need. Truthfully, is it worth it if you’re working for someone else?
If you live to line your bosses’ pockets, go ahead. I prefer to make my lifestyle choices based on enjoyment. For instance, if you’ve ever uttered the phrase ‘I need a holiday’, I’m baffled by the rationalisation that a temporary change of scene will have a lasting impact on your life. Recovery is essential, but craving a break feels like a deteriorating approach to work. Until you stop, your satisfaction will likely only diminish.
Is it worth working for your indulgences? Only you know the answer; I’ve met people who appear wholeheartedly satisfied with their lives, indulging in simplicities and others who take pleasure in excess. In truth, the working week has no balance, but only because not all of our objectives align.