Does time really matter?

Hey all!

I haven’t posted anything on this blog in a little while. And there is a reason for that; I haven’t forgotten about you all. And my brain still has been ticking away here trying to come up with ideas about things to talk about. And I do have several but I’m doing this first, mostly because it helps explain my absence.

For most of my life, I’ve lived by one thought: that the time does not matter. Oh don’t get me wrong, if I had an appointment, I would be there on time. In fact, I’m actually that weird person who arrives half an hour early. Even at the doctor, when I know I’m going to be waiting far longer than the specified time anyway. But I always said that the time, the clock, the watch, the time on my mobile phone and laptop, it didn’t matter.

Now this is how it would work:

Mum: What time did you go to bed last night?

Me: late

Mum: What time did you bring the washing in?

Me: After I watched Ellen (midday)

Mum: When did you go up to the shops?

Me: After lunch

Mum: What time did Dad go to work?

Me: Normal time.

Mum: What time did Grandma ring?

Me: Not long before you get home

Mum: Don’t you ever check the time?!

Me: No.

So that’s what life would be like. I ate when I was hungry (clearly, I’m talking about AFTER I left school) and I did what I wanted, like walking up to the shops about twenty minutes away, without giving much thought to the fact it was indeed midday and the sun would be hottest. Because I thought the time did not matter. Because I thought if you start to put a timeframe on everything, things would be…boring, dull and predicable. So I never, ever, looked at the clocks or watches unless I had an appointment.

I used to think it didn’t matter what I was doing, or what time I was doing it, so long as it got done. So that would of course create some…unhealthy habits. 

Because I thought it didn’t matter what time I went to bed or woke up, so long as I got a decent amount of sleep. I thought it did not matter what time I started studying, or stopped studying, or how long I spent studying, so long as I got it done.

My friends, I was so very, very wrong about my views on that little device we call a clock.

Earlier this year, I was enrolled at university. It’s said you’re supposed to do ten hours of study a week per subject. I did four subjects; therefore I had to do forty hours of study. It was external so I could make my own hours and brilliant me, I decided it would be a brilliant idea if I did ten hours per day for four days, and then used the other days for assignments.

Do you see the problem? No? Keep reading, then, because it’ll come up very soon.

Along with ten hours of study a day for four days straight, I also decided it would be a brilliant idea to not take any breaks…even for lunch. I ate lunch at my desk while reading. I got snacks to eat at my desk while writing. I sat in my computer chair from nine in the morning to about eleven at night. I rarely watched television, I hardly read, I didn’t write and I didn’t draw.

I thought I could keep it contained to those four days, and a little bit of assignments on the end…I was so very wrong. Four days ended up being seven. And I spent ten hours a day being a complete perfectionist with my work seven days a week. I did not go out. I did not interact. I did not eat properly, I ate things I could have quickly like noodles and rice cakes.

And that is really not healthy. In fact…it’s horridly unhealthy. You see, us humans, we need to interact around other people. And more than that, we need to take a break. I thought the time didn’t matter, or how long it took didn’t matter, so long as it was done. As long as it was perfect. But it does matter, just as getting a proper amount of sleep, preferably BEFORE midnight (something I struggle with) matters. I still don’t care exactly when I eat lunch, nor do I pay attention to exactly when my father leaves for work.

But I will never, ever study like that again. Because of that, I ended up sick. I lost weight. My mind went to a very bad place and it’s taken me most of this year to recover. So if you’re like me and have some…unhealthy ways of studying, then I’ve got a few tips for you.

1. Create a timetable. A workable timetable, not like the crazy thing that I did
2. Allow time to be social. This is very important. Humans need to be social, even if you don’t think it’s entirely necessary. Seriously, get out and have fun
3. Plan for the unexpected. Once again, this is very important, because if something happens…well it can ruin your whole study plan for ages. I ended up in hospital while I was studying and I was doing makeup work for two, three weeks. It wasn’t healthy at all, especially since I also had a major essay I needed to start. Stress galore!
4. Take breaks often, even if it’s just for five minutes jumping up and down
5. Keep fit and healthy. Eating bad food can mess with your concentration and can also make you feel gross and lethargic.
6. If you’re struggling, REACH OUT! I know some people think this is obvious but if you’re anything like me you think you can just ‘deal with it’ on your own. I thought I could and I was wrong. Don’t let it get bad. If you don’t understand, then ask. If you’re feeling stressed or sick, go to your doctor ASAP!
7. Failing does not mean that you are a failure. It’s an even in your life, not your life’s destiny. I credit this one to my good friend.
8. Trying your best is all anyone expects. Not perfect scores.

Stay safe everyone, and catch you at my next post! AND PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT TIME IT IS BECAUSE YES IT DOES MATTER!