Note: This blog post discusses the concept of life’s impermanence. Some readers may find it difficult, others liberating and motivating.
How valuable is time to you? In today’s society we focus a lot on material things, like how much we make or what possessions we own. The constant distractions are a way of life and often leads to a confusion about what is really important in our lives.
How Much Do We Value Our Time?
When we feel lost in life, are stuck, depressed, anxious, or succumb to addictions; we sacrifice things we could be doing that create a meaningful and good life for things that take time away from us and create the opposite- a life of suffering and unfulfillment.
When we waste our precious time stuck in unhelpful ways of being and living, we sacrifice our time on these things and not the things we want to move towards- things like being the sort of person we want to be, or how we want to behave, or the goals we want to achieve. And when it happens, the realisation that we’ve lost time can really hurt. Regret can further our pain and issues, and make them much worse if we continue to remain stuck.
While we can always earn more money and accumulate more possessions, we can’t get back time that’s lost.
The investment in ourselves is what is needed to optimise our most precious resource- our time.
We want more time to do those things we really want to do and value. And less time lost spent fighting with ourselves remaining stuck.
By addressing the issues in our lives and living to our potential, we can stop losing time and reclaim our lives. Through things like mental health coaching, we can learn to identify the sources of our suffering and learn skills to manage or overcome them. It can help us to untangle the web of thoughts that are keeping us stuck and open up new possibilities. They can help us to see that we have choices and how we can commit to action on them.
Memento Mori: A Timeless Reminder
The Latin phrase “Memento Mori” translates to “Remember you must die”. While at first glance it may seem morbid, the philosophy behind it is incredibly profound and relevant, especially when discussing the value of our time.
Ancient philosophers, leaders, and thinkers have used Memento Mori as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death.
It is a call to action, a prompt to reflect on our mortality, and, more importantly, a nudge to live with purpose.
Have a look at the following image of the calendar. One is blank, the other filled in for someone in their mid thirties. The years of life are on the left hand side, and each box represents a week, with 52 per year.
(download links for making your own are later in the post)
People who see and reflect on the calendar have different reactions. Some find regret bubbling to the surface, others, a sense of peace as they remember time spent well. And for others, it can be painful. Confronted with the reality, some even get angry (this has also been shown consistently in studies).
In the context of mental well-being, embracing the concept of Memento Mori can help ground us. It serves as a reminder that the time we spend lost in our thoughts, trapped in negative cycles, or stuck in the past, is time we can’t reclaim. If we truly internalise the fact that our days are numbered, then every moment becomes precious. This understanding can shift our perspective and inspire us to lead lives of intentionality.
How do we integrate this ancient wisdom into modern life?
- Daily Reflection: Take a few minutes each day to reflect upon the fact that life is fleeting. This isn’t meant to bring about fear, but to encourage gratitude and presence.
- Prioritise Relationships: Understand that time spent with loved ones is invaluable. Cherish and nurture these relationships.
- Avoid Procrastination: Knowing that our time is limited can be the motivation we need to tackle tasks, address issues, and pursue passions without delay.
- Seek Fulfilment, Not Just Pleasure: Instead of merely chasing temporary pleasures, strive for long-term fulfilment and meaningful experiences.
By incorporating the teachings of Memento Mori into our daily lives, we can bring clarity to our actions, purpose to our days, and make the most of the limited time we have.
You can download your own blank calendar to fill in with the download link below:
Or use the online generator to pre fill yours out to today and continue from there:
Being confronted with the reality of time is not easy and can be hard. And it’s not easy to make changes, face our fears and fix our issues, but the rewards are worth it.
By embracing change and remembering the value of time, we become empowered to take back control of our lives and reclaim time in a liberating way- making use of it wisely and knowing what’s important. We can then use this newfound perspective on time to nurture our relationships, pursue meaningful pursuits and ultimately, live in Eudaimonia (happiness).
If you would like assistance with finding out what is important to you, working through your issues as a team, and finding what will bring you a rich and fulfilling life, contact me today with the links below:
