My Time is My Own

The past six months have been a unique experience in many ways, and I realized a few weeks ago that most of the difference boils down to one stark fact: for the first time in my adult life, I am not selling my time. No one has a claim on my hours. I am not exchanging time for money. My time is my own. 

Before we get overly dramatic, my time has always been my own. But I have chosen and needed to exchange my time and energy for money for my entire adult life. I have received tremendous benefits from this exchange: a prosperous career, profound professional growth, the ability to provide for my family, and now the privilege of *not* exchanging my time for money. 

My time feels uniquely my own in a very new, different way. Recognizing this as a unique season leaves me fiercely protective of my time. I have worked hard to gain autonomy over my schedule, and I won't let myself squander it or anybody stomp on it! I recognize that I invest my time differently when it's uniquely my own; that's neither better nor worse than investing it in a company, but it sure is different.

Right now, I get to revel in this window of my time being my own. I invest in quiet time with myself, going outside, writing and journaling, and creating comfort and ease for myself and those around me. My relationships are fewer and deeper. I enjoy just being around and having margin and space that I did not have while in career mode. I cook (occasionally). 

It's an awfully nice privilege to not need to exchange my time for money right now, and I am determined to relish this freedom. 

Have you had a time when you had a unique experience in your relationship with time? What did you learn about yourself? How did that period change your approach to time and priorities?