It struck me today that I've recently had a lot of free time. It's a change of pace, not likely to be permanent, but it's got me thinking. Much of this newfound space in my day stems from no longer having in-person meetings, but there's something else. There was a time when I felt like time was in short supply, but I've come to understand that it was largely self-inflicted.
I was sabotaging myself, my own worst enemy. I was losing time to things that were more harmful than beneficial. Drinking more alcohol than I should, spending time with acquaintances that didn't truly enrich my life, dedicating effort to projects that failed to spark my enthusiasm.
I was eating junk food and dealing with the lethargy that follows, then spending additional time working out to shed the fat I'd gained. Caught in a cycle of self-loathing for how I looked and felt, battling hangovers, commuting to places I barely wanted to go.
Then, there was social media, a performance for a crowd whose opinions didn't matter to me.
I was also doing tons of busy work that didn't provide any substantial value to my employers, as well as indulging in TV shows that never brought any meaningful value or career advancement to my life. Each episode left me in a state of self-loathing.
And there were the little things, like making and drinking coffee (because I was addicted to that too), and listening to three hour podcasts that only gave marginal benefit to my life.
Right now, I'm enjoying a sense of freedom, of unencumbered time. I don't know how long it will last, but the clarity is undeniable; when I compare my present to the past, I'm far lighter. I'm certain I'll maintain most of this lightness even when life becomes busier.
If you're like I was, someone who isn't married or doesn't have kids, and you feel like you don't have enough free time, something's amiss. It doesn't mean your free time should be void of activity. It could be filled with anything that contributes positively to your life—bodybuilding, training for a race, studying, working towards your company's mission.
But if you find yourself constantly short on time and, really, short on freedom, there's a good chance you might be self-sabotaging like I was. And if that's the case, I hope my experience helps you become more aware and make changes for the better.