Why Do We Value Time Above Almost Everything Else?
I’ve often wondered why time feels so precious, so, like any good scientist I looked at what the research says! I was particuarly interested as to how it shapes our emotions, relationships, and social connections.
Unlike money or material things, time can’t be earned back. Once a moment is gone, it’s gone forever. People often get more happiness from experiences (like spending time with loved ones or traveling) than from purchasing physical things (Kahneman & Deaton, 2010).
Time also gives us a sense of control and purpose (v important as humans!).
People who feel they have enough time for what matters most (friends, hobbies etc.) report greater happiness than those who focus mainly on earning a higher income (Whillans, Weidman, & Dunn, 2016).
Money can increase our resources (often making life easier to manage), but it can’t create memories, meaningful connections, or personal satisfaction the way time well spent can.
So, the next time you want to give a gift, consider investing your time to create something meaningful.
It’s not about how elaborate the gift is, it’s the time and effort you put into it that truly counts. Time is precious; use yours wisely.
References
Kahneman, D., & Deaton, A. (2010). High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(38), 16489–16493. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1011492107
Whillans, A. V., Weidman, A. C., & Dunn, E. W. (2016). Valuing time over money is associated with greater happiness. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(3), 697–705. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550615623842
Regards, Brittany x
