Life Is Short, How To Spend It Wisely
In a recent episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, titled "Life Is Short (How to Spend It Wisely)," Mel delivers a powerful message about the fleeting nature of time and the importance of using it intentionally. Her message hit me so close to home as I am reflecting on some startling statistics about how much time we actually have with those we love. Speaking honestly, this has been my biggest struggle: I am so incredibly ambitious with all I want to do for people that I lose sight of those most important, those right in front of me - my kids. It’s way easier for me to pull out my laptop and work than to drop everything and go play with them. Spending more intentional time with each one of my boys represents the largest personal growth opportunity for me. Now you may read this and say, “This is not a problem for me, Laura,” and for that, I applaud you and I could learn a lot from me. Please reply and tell me how you do it!!!
But for anyone else who needs a good kick in the butt today, here’s a link to the full episode.
Eye-Opening Statistics
Mel starts the episode by sharing surprising statistics about the actual amount of time we spend with people we care about. This revelation acts as a wake-up call, urging us to reconsider our daily interactions and priorities.
By the time your kids are 12, you’ll have spent 75% of the time you have with them
By the time your kids are 18, you’ll have spent 90% of the time you have with them.
WHAT?????
(For a list of all the sources used, go here)
Intentional Living
Mel emphasizes the importance of being intentional with our time. She introduces practical steps to achieve this, starting with recognizing missed opportunities and the impact of grief and regret.
Practical Tips
Grief and Regret: While these emotions are often seen negatively, they can be powerful motivators for living a more present and fulfilling life.
Laura’s example: My four-year-old asks me to come lay with him while he naps this afternoon. Old Laura would say, “No honey, mom has other things to do with that time. New Laura gladly says, “Of course, honey, I’d love to lay with you.” Even though I only laid with him for 30 minutes of his 90-minute total nap, it was GLORIOUS. These are the moments I am going to regret 5, 10, 15 years from now. So when the opportunity presents itself to spend an intentional activity with my child, I take it!
Love and Connections: It is crucial to tap into our love for people. How often do you express this love openly and frequently?
Laura’s example: I tell my close friends that I love them all the time now. This is a very big deal for me as I used to feel awkward saying the “L” word. I grew up in a household where we showed love but never said the words, so this has been a big area of growth for me. Heck, I even recently told my naturopath doctor (only been seeing for a year) that I love her. And she said it back! She has made an incredible impact on my health and I want her to know it. I know she does it for others, too, who probably don’t express their gratitude as openly. When in doubt, share the love. You never know how much it’ll change the other person’s day. Not to mention, the last impact and imprint that has on their soul.
Simple Hacks: Mel offers a simple yet effective hack to better prioritize time. She suggests creating a visual reminder of the limited time we have, which can help us make more conscious choices.
Staying Present
One of the most compelling segments of the episode is at the end, where Mel stresses the necessity of being present in our daily lives. So often we want to hurry up to be somewhere else when the beauty is in the present. Steal my habit: I set an alarm on my phone to go off throughout the day with affirmations reminding me about who I want to be and how I want to show up. My current ones include “Don’t miss this moment,” “20 years from now, you’re going to miss this chaos,” and “All of life is a process of deciding who you are and then experiencing that.”
Find sayings that feel right for you. Remind yourself daily of the living for the now. Focus on what matters most, and let go of things that really won’t matter 1, 5, or 10 years down the line.
I’m always desiring to learn, so reply to this email with mindfulness habits or ways that help you determine and act on what matters most in life.
A life lived by choice is a life of conscious action. A life lived by chance is a life of unconscious reaction.
Choose wisely, friends.
I am always eager to learn from you, so reply to this email with your mindfulness habits or ways that help you determine and act on what matters most in life.
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