“Time is money”, “having all the time in the world” or “hurry up, I don’t have all the time”. Time is embedded in our system, our community and everything has to do with time. Almost all of us wear a watch. But what is time actually?
Numbers
We measure time continuously, most common time units;
- century
- year
- month
- week
- day
- o’clock
- minute
- second
These are numbers for which we have mutually agreed that they mean something. We also did this with weight, among other things.
Subdivision of time
Time is an absolute number and yet we sometimes also speak of emotional time (something passed very quickly, there was little to do at work, so time passed slowly). The American anthropologist Edward T. Hall made the division in time;
- technical time (as used by astronomers, among others)
- formal time (as described in the 1st paragraph)
- informal time (feeling time, see examples in this paragraph)
Influence of time on our existence
In fact, everything is based on time and that makes sense, because you only have a certain amount of time on earth. But you also return to religions, but then, for example, to make up for mistakes from a previous life. You also go through a development here and eventually arrive at the ultimate… and is there eternity? Cannot be expressed in time. But until then, time is just time and you always have a certain amount of time to realize something.
Your salary is also paid based on the time you work for your employer and the division of private time for family, hobbies, education, etc. is all based on the time available.
Can it be done differently?
Of course it can be done differently, but then you have to adopt a different lifestyle and not use the available time in such a way that you have to do everything by minute and hour. You then get hopelessly stuck with what you want to do.
Letting go of time still means going to work, but a sporting activity may not be able to take place because you played longer with the children or you unexpectedly joined your partner to watch a nice movie.
In our Western society this is not easy, but if you really want it, it is possible.
It takes some getting used to, because you are inclined to look at your watch to do something, close something, pick someone up, etc. But it can also be liberating, not making appointments in the evening, but calling someone when you that evening you feel like exercising or taking your bike for a ride.
The oppressive feeling of planning things (sometimes weeks in advance) decreases as you sometimes don’t put anything in your agenda and let it depend on the moment.
Can we do without time?
The society we live in is based on time and thinking away time is not an option. Letting go of time and planning somewhat is a possibility. Even if you just start by not planning anything 1 or 2 evenings a week and letting it depend on the moment. It is also good for your body, reduces stress and that can lead to a longer life and on balance you may have even more time.
Good luck!