Liberating Time: “The Value of Free Time”
The Changing Importance of Time
Once the dominant idea was “time is money,” but in today’s society, the value of money seems to be declining and the value of time is becoming more valued.
In today’s materially fulfilled world, the idea that meaningful time is more important than money is gaining ground, and “time is more important than money” is the new trend.
This seems to reflect a change in attitudes toward the use of leisure time as the quality of life has improved compared to the past.
The Effects of Modern Time-Saving
Fifty to sixty years ago, many households were eager to get televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines.
Getting appliances meant saving time on household chores.
Entertainment that used to be enjoyed in movie theaters and halls can now be enjoyed at home by acquiring televisions and audio equipment.
Simply put, this is an act of “buying time.”
In order to save time, the boom of home appliances and my car came, and many people wanted to earn as much money as possible to get them in order to save time.
So they went for a little better company, a little better education.
As time passed, the prices of TVs and washing machines, which used to cost six months or a year’s monthly salary, plummeted, and everyone could now buy one for less than half of their monthly salary, and it became commonplace for every house to have one.
Also, TVs are no longer a necessity for young people.
Now that everyone has a smartphone, all they need is a smartphone filled with more interesting entertainment than a TV.
Before we know it, there are no longer any electrical products that we really want, let alone those that save us time as they did half a century ago.
Dare I say the latest smartphone released every year?
No, that too has become unattractive.
Technology has made our daily lives more efficient and we have more free time than ever before.
Considering half a century ago, we have saved time in many aspects of our daily lives, such as meal preparation, transportation, and access to information, and as a result, we have more time at our disposal.
We can no longer hope to achieve the exponential time efficiency of the high economic growth period by spending more money.
The Value of Free Time
This abundance of free time is an extremely valuable resource for us.
How we use our free time greatly affects the quality of life and happiness of each individual.
Whether it is doing something we love, trying something new, relaxing, or spending time with family and friends, using this time effectively can lead to a fulfilling life.
With the money we have worked so hard to save, we have succeeded in overcoming and simplifying many of life’s inconveniences.
What half a century ago was a grueling day’s work of housework – cleaning, washing, and eating – is now almost automatic.
Why did we work so hard?
I think it was because we wanted to make things a little easier and get some free time.
And so for those of us who have gained so much free time, compared to people half a century ago, we are living in a “basic-in-time” era.
From time to time, I hear discussions of a basic income, but I feel that this is an idea that is going against the times.
Of course, I am sure that it is important to “provide a good welfare program” for those who are in need, not just a basic income that provides a flat amount for those in need.
Effective Use of Free Time
The following are some key points for effective use of free time.
- Engage in your passions: Investing time in your favorite activities and areas of interest brings meaning and joy to your life.
- Learn a new skill or hobby: It is also a good idea to try something new to develop yourself and open new horizons.
If it leads to income, you will have more free time. - Rest and relaxation: It is important to take time away from your busy life to rest your mind and body.
- Build relationships: Spending time with family and friends is an important part of life’s happiness.
People say that most of their problems are relationship and financial problems.
It is very important, then, to spend time forming better relationships.
Conclusion.
In today’s society, time is worth more than money.
We seem to need to make conscious choices to make the best use of our free time and enrich our lives.
Wealthy people are “good with their money.
For example, they do not spend their money on things that will soon lose value.
They gamble, the best example of which is the lottery, in which the odds of winning are terribly low,
The act of buying them is even called “a tax on fools.”
In other words, it is a prime example of “poor use of money.”
Just as the way we spend our money has consequences for our subsequent riches and poverty, the way we spend our time also seems to have consequences for our subsequent happiness and unhappiness.
In this light, I would like to live in gratitude for today’s “basic-in-time” world.
