How often in your entire life have you wasted your precious time? Are you aware of how many wasted moments you've already lost? Do you realize how many more you're capable of losing? You're not. And none of us are, because many things are like time-wasters, distracting us from our daily lives. This is usually our fault and because we introduced them into our lives. The first step to reclaiming time is realizing what's actually taking up our time, i.e., conducting a self-assessment. The second step is eliminating acquired habits and ridding your environment of anything that negatively impacts us. However, everything takes time and consistency. Remember to use the small-step approach. Choose one bad habit you're struggling with and work on eliminating it. If any of these distractions apply to you, it's time to reclaim your time!
Constant use of the phone
These days, phones are among the most important gadgets in our lives. They're also the biggest time-wasters. Few people can imagine doing anything without their phones. They've long since ceased to be a device that allows for easy communication through text messages or phone calls. Today, phones are our personal database, our alarm clock, our camera, our camcorder, our messenger, our navigation system—something we can't live without. Think about how many times a day you reach for your phone aimlessly, then spend time pointlessly browsing websites, watching videos, or scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and many, many more. Fight this terrible habit. Try setting specific limits for your phone use throughout the day. Don't jump in at the deep end, though; remember to take small steps towards your goal. Start by assessing how much time you spend on your phone each day (keeping a log of your phone usage). If the number you see at the end of the day scares you, you know you have a problem. This will motivate you to change. Remove unnecessary apps from your phone, turn off unnecessary notifications, and try to use your phone for specific purposes. You'll be surprised how much time you'll free up during the day, even for small pleasures.
Modern time wasters: social media
You wake up in the morning and open Facebook, then a quick browse of Instagram, a few more of your favorite apps, then return to Facebook—surely someone has added something! You scroll, scroll, scroll… Does the same scenario repeat itself several times throughout the day? Before going to bed again? The problem of social media and cell phones is really just one problem. If you fight the temptation and addiction to constantly grabbing your phone and browsing websites that contribute nothing to your life, you'll reclaim your time. Spying on friends and strangers on social media is like sitting at home, staring aimlessly out the window (though it doesn't damage your eyesight) and commenting on every passerby you meet. Sounds irrational? Yes, but is following people on Facebook any less irrational? I'm not talking about people who inspire us, motivate us, or make us want to change. However, looking at a million selfies of our gym buddy who has a beautiful body (she definitely has the genes, and comes to the gym to take a picture) won't make us have one too. Free yourself from the lies and hypocrisy fed to us by social media. Learn to distinguish the truth from the exaggerated images of life that others try to impose on you.
Surrounding yourself with toxic people
Contrary to appearances, being surrounded by toxic people is addictive. Sometimes we even attract them ourselves. How do we recognize them? It's very difficult to realize that specific people we consider friends are actually manipulating us. It's also difficult to see that we're being exploited, especially if we've been conditioned to constantly give. Realizing that you're being manipulated by someone close to you takes time, and often this happens thanks to the intervention of a third party who views the relationship from a different perspective. If you feel exhausted after meeting a particular person, unappreciated, used, or that no matter what you do, it won't be enough – break off the relationship immediately. Without unnecessary explanations or entering into arguments, distance yourself from that person. Remember that this person is ultimately weak because they can't function without someone under their control.
Gossip, gossip, gossip
Judging others, commenting on their lifestyle, appearance, or beliefs, is never good manners. Besides, it's a huge time-waster and a distasteful attempt to feed your own ego with the failures of others. Instead of criticizing and judging, it might be worth taking a look in the mirror and considering what you dislike about yourself and what you'd like to change. Consider whether you enjoy hearing baseless criticism about yourself. Dissatisfying someone (even if they're unaware of it) just to temporarily, falsely lift your spirits won't make you a happier person. I think, contrary to appearances, it works the other way around and, at some point, becomes simply overwhelming. Stop doing it, and if you have friends who love to gossip and won't respect your decision not to... see the point above and cut ties.
Putting everything off until the last minute
People are divided into those who always have everything on time and those who have everything on time after nearly having a nervous breakdown. I think putting things off until the last minute, even the smallest tasks, stems from one's lifestyle and personality. It's not a terribly bad thing, either, because some people enjoy that adrenaline rush, and besides, when they do something at the last minute, they usually do it best. Eliminating this habit is more aimed at people who are on the verge of a nervous breakdown. If you're naturally sensitive, nervous, and easily lose your temper, then doing things at the last minute is like kicking someone who's down. You're putting yourself in a situation where you don't know whether to cry or laugh. It sounds funny, but such actions can seriously affect emotional distress. You think this is overkill. I got a little nervous, but I had to, and I did what I had to do. The question is, at what cost? A sleepless night, buckets of tears, and nerves? Continuing this lifestyle doesn't lead to anything good. The simplest answer would be: Get organized! But what happens when you leave organizing until the last minute? It's incredible how much time we waste trying to avoid completing a task. How much energy we can waste on scheming and constantly postponing what is inevitable anyway. If you don't have the strength and determination to overcome this habit, consider consulting a life coach; sometimes only the opinion and advice of a stranger can bring us back to our senses.
Agata Bielecka / AGU – She was supposed to be a teacher, but she became a blogger. She owns a blog available at www.agatabielecka.pl . Known online as Agu, she's passionate about cosmetics and everything related to beauty and self-care. She's obsessed with brushes, eyeshadow, and red lips. In her private life, she's a cat lover, a fan of photography, Scandinavian crime novels, austere interiors, good food, and coffee.
