I Don’t Own Time, But I’ve Learned to Respect It

There were times I felt like I had everything under control, yet watched the clock mock me as it ticked away. I’d sit with my phone, scrolling endlessly, telling myself, “Just five more minutes.” Before I blink, two hours are gone. Regret doesn’t come immediately, it waits until midnight when the to-do list is untouched, and sleep becomes restless. I’ve come to realize something important: time is not mine, I only borrow it daily. And if I keep wasting it, it’ll simply move on without me, without apology.

Honestly, I wasn’t always time-conscious. I used to fall into that same trap many people do procrastination. I’d postpone tasks, push things forward, and blame it on tiredness or lack of motivation. But life has a way of slapping reality into your face. I began noticing how much I was losing to distractions reels, unplanned naps, mindless gossip, and unproductive conversations. It hit me hard that I was spending more time watching other people live their lives instead of building mine.

These days, I treat my 24 hours like borrowed gold. I’m not perfect with time, but I’m intentional. I wake early, structure my day, and get my priorities done. After my daily schedule, I take time to reconnect with my spiritual side. I go to the mosque to pray, it resets my mind and heart. Before sleep, I make sure to feed my mind by reading at least an hour of a motivational book. It reminds me of who I’m becoming and fuels me for tomorrow.

One thing I never skip is Hive. Even if it’s a tight day, I must check in. It’s become part of my system, not just to post but to engage with others. There’s something fulfilling about reading people's thoughts, sharing feedback, and learning new perspectives. It doesn’t feel like work, it’s growth in a different form.

I strongly believe 24 hours is enough, but only when you are intentional. If you live without structure, the day runs past like a thief. But when you plan ahead, cut off distractions, and stop saying “later,” then the hours become fruitful. I try not to leave room for idleness, but I also rest when needed. I’ve learned rest is not laziness, it’s recovery.

Things I now see as a waste of time? Aimless scrolling, comparing my life with others, and trying to please people who don’t matter in the long run. Time is priceless, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. So I’m learning, daily, to live better, do better, and manage this gift of time with more wisdom.

Images are Ai generated

https://ecency.com/hive-193212/@powerpaul/engdeu-simple-as-that-stand-out-heres-why-and-how

https://ecency.com/hive-196769/@powerpaul/engdeu-improvement-on-flexnetlink-now-even-better-than-all-other-hive-links-no-joke-heres-why