Embrace Your Inner Child: Why I Quit my 9 to 5 and the Importance of Time

Embrace Your Inner Child: Why I Quit my 9 to 5 and the Importance of Time

Life is short. We often hear this phrase, but it was never truly understood until now. As humans, we only have a limited number of days on this earth, a mere fraction of the universe's current lifespan. When we subtract the time spent with our parents before college, as well as the necessary activities of sleeping, eating, and exercising, we are left with a mere 10,400 days. That's only 28 years. It begs the question, if we only had 28 years left, how would we choose to spend them?

In our society, we tend to place a great emphasis on money. We believe that financial success is the ultimate goal, and we sacrifice our time and happiness in pursuit of it. However, money can always be earned back, but time is an irreplaceable asset. It is the one thing that can never be retrieved once it is gone. This realization made me question my own path to success. I began to understand that the traditional 9 to 5 lifestyle was not fulfilling me as a person.

In a world that tells us to chase success, we often lose sight of our inner child. That part of us that knows us best, that sparkles in our eyes when we engage in meaningful work. We need to pay attention to that inner child, for it holds the key to our true passions and desires. If we only have a limited time on this earth, we owe it to ourselves to pursue the things that bring us joy and fulfillment.

The concept of a commonplace book aligns with this idea of embracing our inner child. A commonplace book is a central resource where we can gather ideas, quotes, anecdotes, and observations from our life and pursuits. Many great individuals throughout history, such as Marcus Aurelius and Petrarch, have kept these books. They serve as a way to capture the best pieces of wisdom and inspiration that we come across.

To create a meaningful commonplace book, we must read widely and be open to unexpected discoveries. As we read, we should mark down passages, words, stories, and information that stand out to us. This practice, known as marginalia, allows us to engage in a conversation with the author and the book. It helps us retain and apply the knowledge we acquire.

A commonplace book is not limited to material from books alone. It can include insights from movies, speeches, videos, and even conversations. The goal is to gather anything that resonates with us and holds value. By categorizing and organizing these notes, we can easily access and revisit them when needed. This system allows us to find connections and themes within the information, further enhancing our learning experience.

Ultimately, a commonplace book is a reflection of ourselves. It is a tool that enables us to prioritize our learning and focus on the things that truly matter to us. It serves as a reminder to only keep and engage with the knowledge that aligns with our goals and values. It empowers us to curate our own unique collection of wisdom and insights.

In conclusion, life is too short to spend it solely chasing financial success or working on someone else's dream. We must listen to our inner child, embrace our passions, and make the most of our limited time on this earth. To do so, we can create a commonplace book to capture and organize the ideas and inspiration that resonate with us. By doing this, we ensure that our learning is purposeful and aligned with our true selves.

Actionable Advice:

1. Reflect on your passions and desires. What brings you joy and fulfillment? Make a list of the things you would regret not doing if you only had 28 years left to live.
2. Start a commonplace book. Gather quotes, anecdotes, and ideas that resonate with you. Organize them in a way that makes sense to you, allowing for easy access and revisiting.
3. Prioritize your time and energy. Focus on the activities and pursuits that align with your passions and values. Remember, time is an irreplaceable resource, so make the most of it.

In the end, embracing our inner child and valuing our time are essential for living a fulfilling and purposeful life. Let us not be swayed by societal expectations, but rather listen to our own desires and chase the things that truly matter to us. Life is short, and it is up to us to make it count.