As we get older we have a tendency to view time as the enemy – something that’s taking away our youth, our fitness, our health, etc. But since the passing of time is inevitable, it’s probably a good idea to find a positive way of relating with it.
A recent article in Psychology Today shares some advice on living in harmony with time. The key? Understanding the two different attitudes towards time, and learning how to reconcile them.
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The author calls the first perspective “Positive Pressure.” It views time as a precious commodity that shouldn’t be wasted; time is slipping away from us every moment, so we must use it productively and achieve as much as we can. Life is temporary, so we should make the most of it. The upside to this perspective is that it’s very invigorating; you will get things done. The downside is that it creates a sense of pressure and can lead to an obsessive concern with not “wasting” time. Every minute that is not deemed “productive” is seen as worthless.
The second perspective on time is referred to as “Transcendent.” It sees linear time as a construct, a creation of the human mind (and of human culture). There are no isolated moments, or instances; there is just a flow. And we are part of the flow. The author views this as the healthier perspective. From this point of view, there is no need to worry about time passing. The present doesn’t pass away; it’s always with us. The possible disadvantage to this perspective is that it may take away our sense of urgency, and reduce our motivation to complete tasks.
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So how do we integrate the two perspectives? The author suggests that we consider that, although linear time may not exist in the sense we normally think of it, duration still exists:
That is, although we always live in the present, processes still take place, and those processes have a duration. They arise, they unfold and manifest themselves, and then they slowly fade away. Seconds, minutes and hours are just artificial man-made divisions, but processes such as days, months and years do exist.
In other words, we should still feel a sense that time short and that we should experience life as fully and intensely as possible, but at the same time be aware that, as we do this, we can never be anywhere except the present.
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Curated article from:
Psychology Today
