On the Time In Our Lives
Updated: May 15
In regards to the time we have in our lives, it can be extremely heavy for one person and bearable for another. Just as a weight can be both easy and heavy, life can be both long and short. It all depends on what we compare it to. If we compare it to doing nothing for 70–100 years, then life is extremely long. However, if we compare it to the age of the Earth, an average human lifespan is very short. Therefore, life can be both long and short at the same time. There are no objective, universal measurements to determine whether the average lifespan is long or short, beyond those we choose to compare it to.
The same thing goes for wasting time or using it efficiently. There are no objective, scientific ways or criteria to measure whether too much time is either wasted or used productively, beyond the criteria we choose or learn to choose.
If we choose fun as the criteria, then playing video games every weekend is a life well spent. If we choose strength as the criteria, then having a training regime and a disciplined life is a life well spent. If we choose altruism, then contributing to others as much as possible is a life well spent.
Only an individual can choose or learn to choose to determine this on their own life. This is because each person's life is their own property by existence, meaning that individual preferences are the best way to choose how and whether a life is well spent. Additionally, every individual has their own preferences and thus their own choice of criteria on this issue. For me, life is not short but very long and full of potential to be actualized.
For me, a life well spent is a life dedicated to intellectual and physical exercises, as they maintain and develop the body and mind. Simply writing this answer validates my confidence in my life being well spent.
Like Nietzsche would probably tell you, in order to optimally determine whether or not the time of your life is being well spent, you should create and follow a set of principles regarding this subject. With this subjective philosophy, you have the opportunity not only to better evaluate your time, but also get closer to your ambitions.
