I Went To Rome and Am Now Thinking About Time Affluence.

The Roman sun lingered long over the Vatican courtyard.

Hours dissolved into gentle conversation and the quiet hum of folks in Roman piazzas.

In those moments, time felt less like a relentless current and more like a still, sun-warmed pool.

It was a taste of time affluence, a concept as intoxicating as the crisp Italian wine we savored during languid lunches in piazzas where history whispered from every cobblestone.

I recently traveled with my family to Rome and am now considering the concept of time affluence.

Time affluence refers to sufficient time to pursue meaningful activities and leisure, control over one’s schedule, and a lack of time-strapped or overwhelmed.

Home

Back home, the familiar hum of time poverty — that frantic scramble to squeeze more into less — resumes its insistent rhythm.

Yet, something has shifted.

As I pass through my early 60s, I observe my younger colleagues, who intuitively grasp the value of time as a precious, non-renewable resource.

Many prioritize experiences over endless productivity.

How do we reconcile the relentless march of modern life with the deep human need for moments of unburdened presence?

And can we, perhaps, learn to cultivate time affluence, even amidst the chaos, before it’s too late?

Time Poverty

I like the concept of time affluence — the sensation that I have enough time to accomplish everything I want.

I am more personally satisfied when I do all I strive to do.

When I don’t get done all I set out to do, I wander into another concept — time poverty, the opposite of time affluence.

You know what I mean: Home chores, work, and time commuting. For many, It is running here and there with children.

We collapse into bed, and voila! It all repeats the following day.

Would that weekend be a panacea; instead, you may try to catch up on sleep, steal time to see friends, or tend to household tasks.

Time Poverty Hurts Our Mental and Physical Health

Time poverty hurts both mental and physical health.

Many people mistakenly think that the answer to time poverty is simply having more money, but for me, the key is using money to gain more time.

If all you’re doing is selling more of your time (to a second job or a more demanding position), then you’re increasing your time poverty, even if your bank account is growing.

On the other hand, having more money means you can potentially buy more time for yourself.

The trick is to stop thinking solely about how you’re spending your money and more about how you’re spending your time.

Becoming More Time Affluent

Here’s a breakdown of how I cultivate time affluence:

1. I sometimes do a time audit, tracking my activities over several days. This practice helps me better understand my time allocation and identify inefficiencies.
2. I prioritize. Here’s what I mean: I identify my values and what’s truly important to me. Then, I align my time with those priorities. Although it has taken time to learn to do so, I now say “no” to commitments that don’t align with my goals.
3. I optimize my time. I have learned to delegate tasks that others can do (often better than I can ( a nod to my wonderful nurse, Melissa)). I now outsource tasks I don’t enjoy, including yard work. A privilege that I am lucky to have.
4. I automate. For example, I pay my bills electronically and my utilities, credit card, mortgage, and car payments. I love using technology to streamline the mundane in my life.
5. I avoid multitasking. I am much more productive (and less stressed) when I focus on one task.
6. I “time block,” scheduling specific blocks of time for tasks. This practice helps me focus.

I Shift My Mindset – I Went To Rome and Am Now Thinking About Time Affluence

I am increasingly appreciating time over material possessions.

Experiences, not things.

Engaging and fulfilling activities give me a greater sense of time affluence than passive leisure activities such as watching television.

Finally, rest and recovery are important to me.

Overworking leads to poorer decision-making, less creativity, and lower efficiency.

All of this can lead to time compromise.

My Final Thoughts – I Went To Rome and Am Now Thinking About Time Affluence

Time affluence is subjective.

What feels like enough time for me may not be for you.

It’s not just about having free time but the freedom to meaningfully use it.

By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a greater sense of time affluence and improve your overall well-being.

Money matters, but so does time.

Thank you for reading “I Went To Rome and Am Now Thinking About Time Affluence.” If you enjoyed the piece, please consider following me.