Grasping the essence of your life can be challenging, akin to trying to comprehend the vastness of the ocean while learning to swim. Most days, you’re preoccupied with staying afloat, making it difficult to decide how best to spend your time. With countless distractions—family, friends, work, hobbies, and leisure—it’s easy to lose sight of your life’s direction. Let’s take a step back and examine life from an external perspective.
The average viewer of this content is around 25 years old, a pivotal time in life. The uncertainties of adolescence are fading, and you might find yourself in a job, a long-term relationship, or perhaps pursuing further education. Whether you’re starting a family, working on an advanced degree, or simply enjoying life, this period is crucial for setting the foundation of your future.
Assuming you are among the fortunate few who live to 100, you have approximately 5,200 weeks of life. By age 20, over 1,000 weeks have already passed. Depending on your aspirations, you might be working or continuing your education. This phase varies greatly in terms of enjoyment and responsibility, especially if you start working early or attend university to delay entering the workforce.
Most people begin their careers in their 20s, marking the start of a productive, albeit sometimes challenging, period. Typically, individuals work until around 65, dedicating at least 2,000 weeks to their careers. Ideally, this time is spent in a fulfilling job that contributes positively to the world. This phase often includes significant life events such as having children, traveling, advancing in your career, and experiencing love and loss.
By age 65, you’ve used up 3,400 of your 5,200 weeks. If you’ve accumulated enough wealth, you might enjoy up to 1,800 weeks of freedom. However, this is not the reality for most, as the average lifespan varies globally—79 in the US, 81 in Germany, 84 in Japan, and 75 in Brazil. If you live to 80, you have about 780 weeks of retirement, equivalent to the time spent as a child. Unfortunately, health issues often arise, impacting your ability to enjoy this freedom.
Life is unpredictable. Accidents, illnesses, and unforeseen events can occur at any age. Each day, the universe rolls the dice for everyone, and sometimes, life ends unexpectedly. While it’s natural not to dwell on these possibilities, occasionally reflecting on them can help refocus your priorities and minimize future regrets.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of relationships and experiences. Social distancing limited our ability to connect with loved ones, making us realize how precious time with them truly is. As a child, you spend most of your time with your parents, but this decreases as you grow older. By your 20s, if you see them for two weeks annually, you’ve already spent over 90% of your lifetime with them.
This concept applies to siblings and old friends as well. The majority of your time with important people has likely passed, emphasizing the need to cherish every moment. Similarly, hobbies and interests can fade away if not pursued, leading to missed opportunities.
As the pandemic subsides, we can reconnect with others and enjoy shared experiences. It’s always a good time to reach out to friends and loved ones. Life is a remarkable gift, filled with opportunities for fun, engagement, and fulfillment. Ultimately, what matters most is making conscious decisions about what and who is important to you.
This article was inspired by Tim Urban’s insightful work on the blog “Wait But Why.” For a visual reminder of life’s fleeting nature, consider using a life calendar to track your weeks and prioritize your time effectively. Supporting creators like us allows for the continued production of valuable content, enriching lives worldwide.
Reflect on your own life journey by creating a timeline. Start from your birth and project into the future. Mark significant past events and future aspirations. This activity will help you visualize the passage of time and prioritize your goals.
Start a weekly journal where you reflect on how you spent your time. Consider what activities brought you joy, what challenges you faced, and how you can align your actions with your priorities. This practice will enhance your self-awareness and time management skills.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you imagine yourself at different stages of life (e.g., 30, 50, 80 years old). Discuss with classmates what decisions you would make regarding career, family, and personal growth. This will help you understand the long-term impact of your choices.
Interview an older family member or community elder about their life journey. Ask about their priorities, regrets, and advice for younger generations. Share your findings with the class to gain diverse perspectives on life’s journey.
Create a visual life calendar that represents the weeks of your life. Use it to track important events, goals, and milestones. This tool will serve as a constant reminder to make the most of your time and focus on what truly matters.
Life – The existence of an individual human being or animal, often considered in terms of its quality, purpose, and meaning. – Philosophers often debate the meaning of life and what constitutes a life well-lived.
Time – A continuous, measurable quantity in which events occur in a sequence from the past through the present to the future. – In psychology, understanding how we perceive time can influence how we make decisions and plan for the future.
Priorities – The tasks, goals, or values that are considered more important than others and are given precedence in decision-making. – Setting clear priorities can help individuals manage their time effectively and achieve their long-term goals.
Relationships – The connections or associations between individuals, which can be emotional, social, or professional. – Healthy relationships are crucial for psychological well-being and personal development.
Experiences – The events or occurrences that leave an impression on someone and contribute to their knowledge or personal growth. – Our experiences shape our perspectives and influence our understanding of the world.
Decisions – The conclusions or resolutions reached after consideration, often involving a choice between alternatives. – Making ethical decisions is a key topic in philosophy, as it involves evaluating what is right or wrong.
Freedom – The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. – Philosophical discussions about freedom often explore the balance between individual liberty and societal rules.
Uncertainty – The state of being unsure or having doubts, often about future events or outcomes. – In psychology, coping with uncertainty is important for mental health and resilience.
Happiness – A state of well-being and contentment, often considered a fundamental human goal. – Philosophers have long debated the nature of happiness and how it can be achieved.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university, aimed at developing knowledge and skills. – Education is seen as a vital tool for personal growth and societal progress in both philosophy and psychology.
