Time: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

It's been interesting through the years to go with the flow and allow what feels right when there are always (I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say always) a swirling of creative ideas, shoulds, and have-to's competing to fill the same space and time.

How often do you think about time? And what is the nature of those thoughts?

My awareness of time has been a constant presence since I was a child. I have a feeling I was more aware of the concept of time than many children my age. In fact, I used to create drawings of how I imagined time.

That interest has stayed with me over the years, and I've become curious about our perceptions of time, how it impacts us, and how those time related stories we tell ourselves encourage or limit us.

• How does my relationship with time place an unfair weight on me?

• How does it create unnecessary stress or anxiety?

• How does it affect what I expect of myself or what I believe I can accomplish?

And one more question…

• How has my relationship with time changed as the number assigned to my age has continued to increase?

When I first began writing this blogpost about time, I wasn't thinking about aging or the impact it has on what we create. Instead, I found myself wondering:

• Does our relationship with time affect how we view our creative capabilities?

• Does it limit us?

• Or does it encourage us to create more?

I suppose the answer depends on our individual relationship with time.

If we believe time is limited, do we become less willing to make time for the things we feel called to create? Does that perception keep us from immersing ourselves in practices, projects, and joyful experiences that would truly light us up and add richness to our lives?

Or does growing older, as we watch the birthdays continue to add up, become more of a nudge? Perhaps it encourages us to ask: "What am I waiting for?"

Of course, we could ask ourselves that question at any age. But when we're younger, it's often easy to believe there will always be another tomorrow. Repeating the phrase, "I'll do it tomorrow." And the tomorrows can begin to add up.

We may not be able to find more time in a day but we can begin to change our relationship with the time we have and the way we view it.

What stories do you tell yourself about time?