What do you think of when you hear the word, “time?” ⌛

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Before reading further, think of a few words or phrases. Life circumstances.  What your energy feels like.

 

You may be thinking of a clock. Your long to-do list.  24 hours in the day.  Your busy schedule.  Running late.  Falling behind.  Your biological clock.  Optimization.  Productivity.  Retirement.  Anxiety.  

 

Being in the Bay Area most of my life, I have always felt this sense of urgency around me.  People talk quickly.  Conversations rarely go beyond the polite “how are you?” before moving on.  Even the pace of walking and eating feels rushed.  Oh, and the drivers.

 

People wear busyness as a badge of honor.  We are constantly looking for the fastest checkout line at Costco.  A longer to-do list seems to mean greater worth.  Climbing the ladder is seen as admirable.  Growing your business equals greater success.  And having to schedule weeks - or even months - in advance to see a friend feels like proof that your time is being used well.

 

It is exhausting to be around.  Everyone around me is constantly in a rush, running from one goal post to the next. It is hard not to get swept up in that same sense of urgency.

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Time as Circular, not Linear

In this modern world, time feels like a straight line - a linear and finite path that runs from start to finish, birth to death, deadline to deadline.  As if, time is always running out.

 

I saw how this linear model of time brought out urgency, stress, anxiety, and a sense that I was always behind.  I have witnessed many people create a lifestyle around their work, scheduling vacations and paid time off (PTO) around their deadlines, instead of creating a work structure that fits around their dream lifestyle.  We often feel uneasy when we don’t have a clear “what’s next” on the horizon, as if periods of steadiness or stillness don’t count for much.  Many women feel an added layer of urgency when it comes to relationships and family, shaped by the ticking biological clock.

 

Rather than having this linear mindset of time, we can view time as a circle. ◌ Time that is constantly renewing, continuing, and never running out. 

 

This circular view of time reminds me of the verse in Lamentations 3:22-23, which emphasizes that God’s continuous, renewing and available love and mercy is new every morning and it provides us comfort and hope. Every morning. 

 

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.”

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Every morning provides something new, and is part of this ongoing rhythm. 

 

Circular time invites us to trust in His timing, to no longer chase time as if it was scarce or “running out,” but rather abundant and constantly overflowing.  When I finally viewed time in this way, it changed how I approached life.   It removed the stress, anxiety, worry, and "I'm falling behind" mentality.  It allowed me to be more "in the moment."  It also excites me for what is to come, because life is an adventure. 

 

Having this new perspective on time allows you to run the race of life well, because life is a marathon, not a sprint (Hebrews 12:1-2).

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Time in Seasonality: Living in Rhythms

We can think of time in the mindset of seasonality.  Let us go back to nature again.  Nature teaches us that everything moves in cycles, not straight lines.  There are seasons of planting, growth, harvest, and rest.  We should see our life as seasonal, so that we can work with time, not against it.  It is easy to think of rest or the “winter” seasons as a waste of time, but soil needs to regenerate and rest in order to prepare for another successful round of planting, growing and harvesting.

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You can rest without guilt, knowing that rest is a natural and necessary season on your path to success, alignment, and wholeness. Give yourself permission to take that day off you have been postponing for months. Say “no” to invitations when you are feeling drained or overwhelmed. Resist the urge to constantly tweak your business marketing plan—allow it the time it needs to grow. Let yourself do nothing for a few hours, or take a quiet walk around your neighborhood, instead of scrolling through social media.  Take a longer lunch break during your work day, to reset your mind and recharge so that you can put your best foot forward for the remainder of the day.

 

Create seasonality.  Create seasons of rest [and work] in your life.  When you start living slower, simpler and in alignment with your own seasons, you feel more alive.

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💬 How can I create seasonality in my life? 

 

💬 How do I perceive rest?  What do I need to "unblock" to incorporate more rest into my life?

 

This idea of rest also reminds me about the process of healing.

 

True healing requires space - space to slow down, rest, process, and simply be.  To listen.  Healing cannot take root in constant noise or busyness.  We are all healing from something, whether it is seen or unseen.  Healing is not linear, it is cyclical.  Each cycle can bring new understanding or clarity to that pain we experience.  For example, I have seen childhood trauma resurface in my clients as they become mothers and begin raising their own children.

 

Healing is a lifelong journey. 👣 And we may never fully or completely heal from pain or past trauma.  Give yourself grace.

 

Give your mind, heart, and spirit permission to rest.  Recenter yourself.  Nourish your inner soil, so that renewal can take place - and from that renewal, your best and most authentic self and work will grow. 🌱

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💬 What is one area of my life that would heal if I slowed down?   How can I nourish my "inner soil?"

 

 

Time as Energy 

Rather than treating time like something that is spent or lost, you can think of it as energy.  Time can be renewed and expanded through intention, rest and alignment. 

 

When we are energized, present, aligned, and calm, time expands. ↗

 

When we are anxious, stressed, and pressed for time, time contracts. ↓

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💬 Can you relate?

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When I choose to rest or take a nap, rather than push through fatigue, I wake up with a fresh sense of clarity and energy, as if time itself has stretched wide open.  The same happens when I intentionally design my workday so I can stay emotionally present with each of my clients.  By honoring my energy and creating balance, I end the day feeling more alive and fulfilled, rather than exhausted and drained.

 

When I pack my day with multiple social gatherings, I notice my energy shift. As an introvert, I start to feel the pressure of time — watching the clock, mentally preparing to leave before I am ready. In trying to do it all, I lose the chance to be fully present with my friends.  Time feels like it's strained.

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Have you ever been so deeply present with a friend that the hours seemed to slow down — that your time together felt longer than it actually was? I love these moments. You walk away feeling more whole, uplifted, and connected.  I hope you can experience this more for yourself.   I know I want to.  When the quality of our attention deepens, the experience of time expands.  Even though the quantity of time is fixed, our energy grows.  You show up more whole.

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💬 What would my day look like if I saw time as something that could expand and reenergize me, rather than running out?  What would it practically look like on my calendar?  What are some areas or things in my life I have to say "no" to, to protect my energy?

 

 

How I Create More Energy and Seasonality in My Life

Here are a few ways I have practically reoriented time to create a life that is life giving.

 

1. I intentionally under-schedule my weekends.
Between Saturday and Sunday, I always carve out at least half a day just for myself — time to rest, reset, and be alone. What that rest looks like changes from week to week: sometimes it’s taking a nap, lounge, journaling, baking, going for a solo walk, observing nature, or simply catching up on household chores. I actually find cleaning my room and doing laundry surprisingly meditative — it is a quiet way to clear my mind as I clear my physical space.

 

2. I avoid scheduling clients back-to-back.
I give myself a buffer between sessions so I can stay fully present — and so there is room for a conversation to flow naturally if it runs a little long. In my previous job, I used to see clients one after another without any breaks, and I noticed how that pace made me feel constantly rushed. My clients could sense it too. Creating space between sessions has completely shifted my energy — I show up calmer, grounded, and more present.  

 

3. I plan social time around my natural energy.
I am a morning person.  I have learned that I am most energized in the mornings and afternoons, so that is when I schedule most of my social meet ups. Evenings are usually reserved for rest, quiet, and alone time. I have even chosen a Thursday morning Bible study instead of an evening one — and I have noticed a huge difference in my energy and commitment. I show up more present, more engaged, and I get so much more out of the experience.

 

4. I give myself at least 5 to 6 weeks off a year from work.
It took me several years to finally give myself permission to take off time from work.  I used to feel guilty about it, worried that my patients’ process could be affected.  To ease that guilt, I often packed in extra sessions before and after my time away (and would even work extensively on weekends) - as if I had to earn the right to rest. But that pattern only left me more drained.  I realized that true rest does not need to be justified or compensated for. Today, I no longer feel guilty when I take time off.  I understand that rest is essential — not a reward, but a responsibility — because it ensures that show up for my patients with wholesome energy, clarity, and genuine care.  Also, taking time off does not mean you have to plan an trip across the world.  It can even be a self-care day or simply a day to rest, recharge, and do nothing!  

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5. I workout in alignment with my biology.
Unlike men, women are seasonal hormonally.  Some weeks I have more energy than others. During my follicular and ovulation phases, I focus on strength training and higher-intensity workouts. In my luteal and menstrual phases, I shift toward stretching, mobility, and rest. The same goes with how you eat - how you eat will look different depending on which season you are in of your cycle.  

 

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🌑🌓🌕🌗🌑

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💬 What are some practical steps I can incorporate to create more energy and seasonality in my life? 

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Thank you so much for reading ❤️  

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Check out my other blog​ posts! 

Would love to hear your feedback, thoughts, reflections! Email me at katrina@wholebodywellnessptca.com