So how come I don't have more to spare?
At least, it doesn't feel like I've got a lot of spare time. And judging by the number of books, articles and websites dealing with time management, there are more than a few people who feel the same way.
Without really trying, you can easily find lots of resources to help you when you don't have time to cook, when you don't have time to clean, when you don't have time to shop, and even when you don't have time to wash your hands with soap and water.
It makes me wonder how our ancestors survived. Many of them worked from sunup to sundown just to provide themselves with basic food and shelter. They did it because their lives depended on it. Yet they still managed to find the time to sing, to dance, to play.
In the 21st century, most of us really do enjoy considerably more leisure time than our ancestors. Electricity, running water, improved transportation have all taken much of the time-consuming labor out of daily chores and responsibilities. The funny thing is, many of us are still feeling that we just don't have the time to meet our basic needs.
So is it fact, or perception?
Probably a little of both. Innovation and technology have made our lives easier, and more difficult at the same time. For example, we may not be plowing the field from dusk to dawn, but many people do have long commutes to their workplace. Families often have two wage earners who work outside the home, and it's become tougher to give homemaking the same attention it once received. As well, our enhanced lifestyle has given us an enticing assortment of leisure-time options, making choices that much more difficult.
If you feel like you're always racing the clock, there are a couple of things you can try:
Change the facts
Maybe you can make some lifestyle changes, or maybe you can learn to manage your time better. There are lots of websites offering free help, tips and tricks to help you. A search on "time management" here at Suite 101 turned up over 100 articles on the subject. Check out some of those, and also try your favorite search engine. As well, consider how you're using the leisure time you do have. According to Statistics Canada information from the fall of 1999, Canadians spent, on average, 21.6 hours per week watching television. That's a pretty good chunk of time.
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