Featured
Stories

Grace Song (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Time is the most precious resource that we have. At least that is what I believe. Unlike money, health or even knowledge, time cannot be earned back once it is spent—it just disappears into thin air. As time is a limited commodity, I often find myself falling into the notion of how I am defined by how I spend my time. It underscores a profound truth: my daily actions reveal my priorities, values and identity. 

My identity is a culmination of the choices that I make each day. When I dedicate numerous hours into looking into new medical conditions and treatments, I spend my time in a way that aligns with my specific passions and/or goals. However, in contrast, when I have those days of spending hours scrolling through social media or binge-watching Korean TV shows, I may consciously self-identify as unproductive, but these choices point at a different storyline. These activities in themselves are not inherently bad, but when they dominate my schedule (or yours) without much purpose, they may reflect a lack of intentionality in how I live, which may not be ideal. 

The beauty of time is that we can control its narrative—at least within the confinements of God’s bigger picture. My values act as a compass, guiding how I allocate my days. As a pharmacist, a large part of my schedule is providing patient care and learning about pharmacological treatments. My family is also very important, so I make sure to include quality time with loved ones, as it is non-negotiable. Staying healthy in order for me to provide optimal care is another priority, and so exercise and mindful eating occupies another portion of my routine.

That is not to say that I am perfect by any means; I often fall into the trap of letting external forces (work demands, societal pressures or even just habits) dictate how I spend my time. When this happens too regularly, there is the risk of losing sight of the values that we hold so dear. I try to do this every time that I begin to feel my mindless social media scrolling getting to me. I ask myself: If someone were to observe me today, what would they conclude about me? This question helps reveal if I am living authentically or merely going through the motions of things.

One of my favourite courses in high school was Economics. This is where I learned the term opportunity cost: it refers to the loss of potential gain when choosing one option over another. The same principle applies to time. Every hour spent on one activity is another hour unavailable for something else. Personally, this is a point of reflection as the mindless scrolling through social media happens or I just procrastinate without much reason—I am trading up precious time that could be better spent growing, connecting or creating. Investing time into meaningful activities (volunteering with amazing non-profit organizations, preparing for a patient case presentation, etc . . .) compounds over years, helping to shape a life rich with experiences and accomplishments. Certainly, this perspective does not mean every moment needs to be productive. Rest, relaxation and joy are equally valuable uses of time. What matters is, once again, intentionality—consciously choosing how we spend our time rather than letting it slip away unnoticed. 

Even with the best intentions, barriers like busyness, burnout and distractions often derail our plans. A packed schedule can make us feel like we are living purposefully when, in reality, we are simply reacting to obligations. To overcome this, I try my best to distinguish what is urgent from what is important. Urgent tasks involve activities like responding to my coordinators’ emails. Important tasks, on other hand, may align with my deeper values and goals. I believe that trying to prioritize the important over the urgent (within reason) allows me to regain control of my time and by extension, some parts of my life. 

At the end of the day (pun-intended), my life is the sum of how I spend every minute. This realization can be both empowering and humbling. It reminds me that we bear responsibility for our choices as they pertain to many things, but time especially. By consciously aligning my actions with my values and purpose in life, I become an active participant in defining who I am and who I strive to be. Each moment offers an opportunity to build the life we want, one intentional choice at a time. 

—

Leave your thoughts for Grace in the comments below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube to stay up-to-date with Low Entropy news!