As per the American Time Use Survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans watch television for almost three hours a day. For retirees, this number climbs even higher — over four hours a day. While the temptation might be to relax in front of the screen, retirement experts say this time could be better spent.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people think they are going to be different in retirement, but they aren’t,” notes Robert Laura, founder of the Retirement Coaches Association. “In fact, it’s you times two.” This means that retirees usually fall back into their old passive ways — like watching TV — because they really don’t sit down and make out a plan as to how they would better utilize their time going forward.
The myth of unlimited free time
Another psychological trap for retired folks is “future time slack” (i.e., the erroneous assumption that free time will materialize in abundance later on). However, retirement is not a corridor beckoning to be walked, open and endless. In fact, if one were to look with great precision at how retirees really spend their time, that meaningful time actually adds up to maybe about 1,000 hours in one year-for some.
This is very much far from the idea of infinite time for leisure. In a hurry, time goes away between the chores, family obligations, and appointments for health while for the actual work of a retiree, the 1,000 probably includes only that time in which the retirees could intervene and choose to do meaningful things like pursuing hobbies, engaging in volunteer work, travelling, or personal development.
What the 1,000-hour rule really means
According to the American Time Use Survey, adults spend about 1,800 hours each year doing leisure activities. Most of that time accumulates in undemanding pursuits. Engaging in passive behaviors such as channel-surfing or scrolling on one’s phone could diminish hours better spent pursuing a passion project or exploring a fun new hobby.
The “1,000-hour rule” is an eye-opener. It calls retirees to become intentional with their time while reminding them that quality hours are few. The message is not about scheduling every minute, but being mindful of time’s true value in this life stage.
Your time might be more expensive than money
In the case of four million Americans who reach retirement age every year, their time becomes as significant as how they spend their money. An academic study presented that away: “Time is a precious commodity in later life and made even more so by difficult circumstances when one is retired.”
Health issues, caring for others, and many other unexpected distractions can put further constraints on time when you already have little available. Hence, it becomes essential to value those precious 1,000 high-quality hours in which your retirement is experienced in fulfillment.
Optimally utilized 1,000 hours
So find in this: retirement to tailor your own sort of freedom, which takes intention. Whether it is learning a new language, mentoring a student, or checking out a place that has long been on your dream list, make sure that every last one of your 1,000 hours does not go to waste. Because, after all, time-not money-stands to be the most precious of all your assets.
