There are lots of things we’d like to do to make ourselves happy: learn new things, set up new habits, get back into sport… Unfortunately, time is running out and we can’t do the things we’d like to do. So how do we find the time? Here are 6 tips.

1 – Finding time or taking time?

To find time, it’s essential to understand something fundamental:

Time can’t be found, it has to be taken.

In fact, every day, we all receive 24 hours as a gift. And it’s up to us to use them wisely.

Unfortunately, we tend to think of ourselves as subject to obligations and even to other people. We give a lot of our time to doing what we have to do and pleasing others. But what about us?

That’s why it’s essential to realize that our time belongs to us, it’s our gift, our greatest wealth.

So, what do you want to do with these 24 hours? What’s important to you? In fact, what makes sense to you?

More generally, what kind of life do you want to lead? What kind of person do you want to be?

And, finally, the most essential question: do you want to be a happy person, fully happy with your life?

So, to do that, you need to stop chasing your time, stop trying to find time to take it!

Take your time. Decide what you want to do with it.

Because your time should only be used to be happy in your life.

After all, you’re not here for anything other than to be happy.

Once you’re aware of this, you’ll start to find time – to make time!

2 – Time thieves

Why is it so difficult, if not impossible, for us to find time to do the things that are important to us?

Because, first of all, we wait to find the time. We wait for an hour with nothing to do. But it never does (laughs).

Secondly, it’s because we let others steal our time, asking us to do things we don’t want to do, but we’ve been taught to be too nice, so…

Finally, there are all the wonders of modern society, all those things that distract us. We think it’s doing us good, but it’s just wasting our precious time.

In fact, I realized that I no longer had to find time, but had to take it, when I read that we only have 30,000 days to live on average.

And, rather than being afraid of that, I decided to feel motivated and enthusiastic.

I want to live those 30,000 days as I see fit. I want to savour them in my own way and at my own pace.

And I’ve decided to stop leaving my time to chance. So I’ve come up with some solutions to finally find time, to finally take it!

3 – Stop watching TV to find time

It’s said that we watch an average of 3 hours 47 minutes of television a day.

In other words, if we stop watching TV, we have 3h47 every day! What happy news!

So I stopped watching TV.

I started reading, doing yoga, writing, working on my projects, and that changed everything.

So, of course, I watch movies. But it’s no longer an obligation. It’s a choice I make consciously, because I want to.

In fact, you’ll never hear me say again: “Oh, if I had more time to read”. Because if I want to read, I don’t watch a movie tonight and I read.

That’s why, to finally find the time you need to do the things you really enjoy, stop watching TV.

4 – Cut down on social networking to find more time

It’s said that we spend over 1h30 a day on social networks. So it’s a bit different from television, because we’ll be watching social networks several times a day, in increments of several minutes.

And that’s where it gets interesting. In fact, I’ve stopped watching social networks all the time.

In other words, I go on them once in the morning, once at lunchtime and once in the evening.

In other words, as soon as I have some downtime in my day, instead of throwing myself on my phone, I’ll pick up a book or make myself a hot drink and relax by playing with my dog, or go for a walk.

And that really changes everything.

So, if you can’t find the time to read or play with your kids or your pet, watch how you go on social networks: how often, when and how many times.

Then cut back!

5 – Schedule a moment and make it a ritual

Turning off the TV and cutting back on social networking isn’t always enough. In fact, sometimes we need to schedule a moment and make it a ritual.

Because we can very well replace television with films and series and cut back on social networks to play a little video game instead, for example. Yes, we’re incorrigible. I know that for a fact (laughs).

That’s why it’s magic to program a moment in your diary and make it a ritual!

Let’s say you want to read more, but you can’t resist watching a family movie in the evening, so you can say to yourself: “Okay, I’ll watch the family movie in the evening. Except Thursday. Thursday night is my reading night.”

What do you think?

I’ve tried it and it works very well.

What’s more, making it a ritual is a great way to savor the moment even more.

In fact, as Thursday evening approaches, we get impatient, we can’t wait.

6 – Aim for joy rather than distraction

Why is it so hard for us to find time to do things we enjoy? It’s because we’ve learned to think in terms of distractions rather than in terms of joie de vivre and well-being.

In fact, we’re more likely to look for distractions than to nurture our joie de vivre or take care of our well-being.

Why do we do this? Because distractions are easier to access. All we have to do is pick up our phone or turn on the TV, whereas to nourish our joy, we might have to go and take a dance or yoga class, buy a book or go to the media library.

Secondly, I’ve noticed that distractions are better seen by others. You don’t have to justify watching TV or being on your phone, whereas when you take a class or want to read a book in the evening, it’s not always accepted by others.

In these moments, it’s all about remembering that your time is precious, that your life is your gift, and that it’s up to you to decide to take time out to do what makes you truly happy.

Also, think long term rather than short term.

In fact, what helps me find time for the most important things is to think about what I’d like to remember about my life when I’m on my deathbed.

Would I remember all those hours in front of the TV and social networks, or would I remember my walks and the beautiful stories I read?

My choice is quickly made.

It’s up to you.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to savor the present moment and be happy: 8 great tips
Discover How can I be happy every day? 5 daily gestures

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

The author recounts her year-long experiment to increase happiness in her life by focusing on different aspects, including relationships, work and self-care. The book encourages us to make time for joy, reflecting on the small changes that can lead to a more fulfilling and happier existence.

This book kept me eagerly turning the pages, as the author is entertaining and makes for an easy yet impactful read. I came away with tangible ideas to apply to my own life.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself