The Time Scarcity Foe

It’s fair to say we’ve all felt it - an imbalance in the ratio of available time to the number of tasks on the list to complete and all the stress that comes with it. While time scarcity can be overwhelming for anyone experiencing it, there are a number of reasons why it can take a greater toll on those of us who are highly sensitive. As HSPs, we tend to have an intensified response to stress in general, not to mention how our tendency toward deep processing and introspection can warrant a slower pace for decision making and task processes.

There is an additional conversation to be had here about the pressures of living in a world that places an inordinate amount of value on our productivity. From an ethics and values perspective, I don’t subscribe to this notion. But as a singular person with little to no *immediate* effect on the mechanics of our late stage capitalist society, I am sorry to say that there are Things To Get Done™. Here are a few ways to lessen the burden of time when having too little feels like “so much”.

Be realistic about time “units”. One of the conundrums I personally fall into is either over or underestimating the amount of time that something will take. For example, the concept of a “15 minute workout” seems accessible and innocuous. It’s just fifteen minutes! That's the whole point! … That is, until I realize that I’ve completely neglected to factor in things like “warm up” and “cool down”, not to mention the ever necessary “shower”. These add-ons can easily double or triple the length of the unit. Conversely, there are other activities that I think of as tedious and therefore inherently time consuming - like maintaining my documentation requirements as a therapist - that actually go by much more quickly than I tend to expect. Just because it's not the most enjoyable activity doesn't mean it actually takes as long to complete as it feels. Reminding myself of this reality prevents me from getting stuck in time consuming dread and delay.

Considering paying the “time scarcity tax”. I often wonder how my relationship to time would differ if I had unlimited financial resources. There are so many convenience-based services and technologies these days that, if we had access to them, could free up hours upon hours of time and labor. However, there are still ways to “throw money at the problem” that won’t break the bank. On the higher end, paying for things like laundry drop off services, grocery delivery, or an hour a week of professional cleaning help can go a long way. Even more frugal options could include paying a little extra for the pre-cut vegetables, or buying paper plates to use during a particularly busy week.

Create buffers for time blocks. Have you ever wondered why a “therapy hour” is actually only 50-55 minutes long? Those five to ten extra minutes are meant to provide us a small window for transitioning between sessions wherein we can take care of our basic needs, i.e. drinking water, using the restroom, or jotting down a few notes for reflection. If possible, try scheduling your next meeting block for 25 minutes instead of 30 - or 50 minutes instead of one hour. Transition time is so deeply important to HSPs and deserves to be respected and preserved.

Ultimately, time scarcity is a challenge that I don’t foresee going away any time soon and will be something that requires continual adjustment. As you continue to experiment and find your own time-saving tips and routines, please as always be gentle and compassionate with yourselves.

Warmly,
Leigh Johnson, AMFT
they/them, he/him
https://thrivetherapyandcounseling.com/leigh-johnson