Here's How I Value My Time

And why returning a $128 package wasn't worth it

I used to value money more than my time.

I don’t think I ever would’ve said that, but it showed up in my actions.

Maybe I’d go out of my way to save some money. Maybe I’d do things myself instead of paying someone. Maybe I’d put my time into projects I didn’t love for some financial return. Things like that.

Now, I’m the opposite: I tend to choose more time over more money.

The reason is simple: money is limitless; time is not.

Now, you might be thinking, “What do you mean money is limitless? My bank account doesn’t look like it.”

Fair point. But hear me out—money is a renewable resource. There is an abundance of it in the world and you have access to its flow. You can earn more, invest it, create it, borrow it, lose it, and get it back again.

Time? Not so much. Twenty-four hours in a day, seven days in a week, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. No amount of money can buy them back afterward.

At some point in my path, this hit home, and I started to prioritize my time more than income.

What I mean is, I want to use my time how I want.

I don’t want to use my time how I don’t want in order to make money.

Because, what’s the point of more money? After the basic necessities of food and shelter, isn’t the point of more money to have a better quality of life? So why are so many people sacrificing their quality of life to make more of it? It makes no sense.

Time is an illusion—all that exists is the ever-unfolding present moment—but it’s an illusion we all live by. So it certainly is a significant factor in this human experience. We have a certain number of days, weeks, months, and years in this human form and I intend to use them in ways that I want.

So when I say I prioritize time, what I mean is that I prioritize time to do things that are fulfilling, enjoyable, and aligned with my purpose—things that contribute to my well-being and the well-being of others.

Everything is Negotiable

Here’s a radical belief of mine: everything is negotiable.