Is how you spend your time reflective of who you are?

byMTCandela1

4K followers

2 years ago

Is how you spend your time reflective of who you are? Being in or out of touch with who we are is reflected in the work we do. Many people work hard, but do so because they are addicted to their work, meaning they use work, as a way to escape from themselves. Others work hard but do so for the love of it. Picasso, set in front of his paintings, because he loved his work. To him, work was not an addiction, but a passion.

The relationship between how one spends their time and who they are is a complex and nuanced one. Time expenditure can indeed be indicative of priorities, values, or even compulsions, but it's not a straightforward mirror to one's identity. Below are some considerations on the subject:

Work as a Reflection of Identity

Passion-driven work: In cases like Picasso, the work is an extension of one's passion, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation. It's a direct reflection of what someone loves and values.

Duty-driven work: Some people work hard out of a sense of duty or responsibility, either to their family, community, or themselves. Their work can be a reflection of their commitment to these entities but may or may not be something they are passionate about.

Compulsion-driven work: Then there are those who work hard due to compulsive behaviors, such as workaholism, which may be driven by fear, insecurity, or other emotional issues. In these cases, work can be an escape and not necessarily a reflection of who they 'truly' are.

Work as a Coping Mechanism

Sometimes, people work to avoid facing other aspects of their lives, using work as a form of escapism. In these instances, the hard work might be more reflective of what one is trying to avoid rather than what they are embracing.

Context and Circumstances

Cultural, economic, and personal factors also influence why and how hard people work. Some may be working hard due to external pressures and societal expectations, even if it's not what they want or value personally.

Fluidity of Identity

Identity is not a fixed point; it's fluid and evolves over time. Early in one's career, work may be a mechanism for self-discovery, a way to refine what is truly important. At different life stages, the same work may hold different meanings and reflect different aspects of one's identity.

Work-Life Balance and Other Interests

While work is a significant part of life, it is not the only thing that defines us. How one balances work with other aspects of life—family, friendships, hobbies—also says something about who they are. Some may find their identity more closely aligned with their roles as parents, partners, or community members.

While how you spend your time can be reflective of various aspects of who you are, it's not a complete or straightforward indicator. Identity is multi-faceted, and work is just one lens through which it can be viewed.

Take a moment to assess how you spend your time. Pull back from your daily routine and really  look at it to see if it expresses who you are. Is your day so filled with appointments that you never have quality time for your self and others? Is your work fulfilling in itself? Does it allow you to express a part of yourself? Or is it just a job? What things do you really love to do?