Look around you. I bet you know at least one person who feels tired and disengaged. Is there a societal expectation that we must follow a script and get it all figured out? But what if we have been normalizing and prioritizing projections over existence? If you look back at your life five years from now, would you be satisfied or regretful?
It’s interesting because it seems like society values productivity, achievements, a bigger house, a more modern car, status, and career development. But the clock keeps going … it’s ticking, and the years won’t ever go back. When was the last time you felt truly connected to the present or did something new for the first time?
Research suggests that a meaningful life isn’t just about feeling happy. We also need to feel that our lives have purpose, make sense, and matter to us (King & Hicks, 2021). But the good news is that there is still enough time to make changes and prioritize what makes you happy and feel most alive. Research has found that, as people approach the end of life, spending time with family and friends becomes one of the things they value most (Downey et al., 2009).
“Time is now the currency” (Niccol, 2011).
Thus, take the present moment as an opportunity to reflect on your life, practice gratitude, make new changes, and value the simple moments. You will never be this age again, so please do what makes you feel happy. Remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. Psychotherapy can support your process of self-discovery, help you process burnout, and assist you in building a new version of yourself, one where time is your most valuable currency.
REFERENCES
Downey, L., Engelberg, R. A., Curtis, J. R., Lafferty, W. E., & Patrick, D. L. (2009). Shared priorities for the end-of-life period. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 37(2), 175–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2008.02.012
King, L. A., & Hicks, J. A. (2021). The science of meaning in life. Annual Review of Psychology, 72, 561–584. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-072420-122921
Niccol, A. (Director). (2011). In Time [Film]. 20th Century Fox; New Regency Pictures; Strike Entertainment.
