How to Take Back Control of Your Time (and Actually Enjoy It)

We all know the feeling.

The days blur together. You wake up, check your phone, rush through tasks, and collapse at the end of the day—only to wonder, “Where did all the time go?”

If you’re nodding along, I get it. I’ve been there.

I have a full-time job, a dojo to run, a family (with a child on the way), a dog that somehow takes up more time than I thought possible, and a growing side business. But here's the surprising truth:

Doing more doesn’t have to mean living in overdrive.

Time isn’t just about minutes and hours—it’s about how you experience it.

The Problem: Time Feels Faster Than Ever

You’re not imagining it. Time feels like it’s speeding up.

Einstein explained it beautifully:

“When you sit with a beautiful woman for an hour, it seems like a minute. But put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour.”

Our perception of time shifts based on what we’re doing and how present we are in the moment.

In winter, this effect gets worse. Shorter days and darker skies trick us into believing we have less time. Add screen time to the mix, and it’s game over.

Why Screens Steal Your Time

Ever sit down to check your phone “for just a minute” and look up two hours later?

Screens mess with your sense of time for three key reasons:

1. They distort time.
   Scrolling on your phone triggers constant dopamine hits, keeping your brain in a flow-like state—except it’s empty flow. Hours vanish in what feels like seconds.
2. They pull you out of the present.
   Instead of experiencing life, you’re consuming it. Moments that should feel memorable slip by unnoticed.
3. They drain your energy.
   Screens overstimulate your brain, leaving you cognitively exhausted. When your brain is tired, time feels shorter because you’re too drained to fully engage with it.

I realized this one evening.

The Moment I Took Back My Time

It was winter. Outside, the world was dark and cold. Inside, my mind was racing with to-dos I couldn’t keep up with.

Then I did something simple.

I sat by the fire with my dog curled up next to me, a book in my hands, and no phone in sight. The fire crackled. My dog snored softly. For the first time in days, I felt time slow down.

It was mine again.

No notifications. No endless scrolling. Just calm, presence, and peace.

6 Ways to Reclaim Your Time (and Enjoy It)

If you want to stop feeling rushed and start enjoying your days, here’s what worked for me—and can work for you, too:

1. Eliminate Screen Time

Screens are the #1 culprit behind lost time. Put your phone away, set limits, and commit to being fully present.

Start small:

• Put your phone in another room while working or relaxing.
• Set “screen-free” hours in the evening.
• Use apps like Focus or Freedom to block distractions.

You’ll be amazed at how much time you get back.

2. Play Serene Music

Music can completely shift your atmosphere. Soft, calming music in the background reduces stress and helps you feel more in control.

Try this:

• Play instrumental tracks while you work, read, or relax.
• Choose music that creates space, not noise—think lo-fi, classical, or ambient sounds.

Suddenly, time feels expansive instead of rushed.

3. Read Books, Not Screens

Books have a way of anchoring you in the present. They slow your thoughts and give you something real to focus on.

Grab a book, sit somewhere quiet, and lose yourself in it. Just like I did by the fire.

4. Spend Time with Friends

Quality time with people you care about speeds up time—but in a good way. It fills your life with moments worth remembering.

You’ll never regret:

• A long coffee with an old friend.
• A simple game night with family.
• A walk and talk with someone you trust.

Time spent laughing, sharing, and connecting is time well spent.

5. Go Outside for Long Walks

Nature is the best cure for feeling rushed. A long walk resets your mind and body. It’s simple, free, and powerful.

Next time you’re overwhelmed:

• Leave your phone at home.
• Walk without a destination.
• Breathe deeply and just observe the world around you.

Time slows when you reconnect with the earth.

6. Take Up an Expression Form

Activities like music, martial arts, or writing ground you in the moment. They require focus, flow, and creativity—things screens steal from you.

For me, martial arts is where time disappears in the best possible way.

Find your thing:

• Play an instrument.
• Sketch or paint.
• Move your body through martial arts, yoga, or dance.

When you express yourself, you don’t lose time—you create it.

Time Isn’t the Problem—Your Mind Is

Your mind tells you there’s not enough time. It creates the endless to-do lists that overwhelm you.

But here’s the truth: You can slow time down.

By being intentional about how you spend your days, you shift from rushed to present. From busy to fulfilled.

Slow Down, Subscribe, and Stay Inspired

If you enjoyed this, there’s more where it came from. Every week, I share practical tips and stories to help you:

• Regain control over your time and energy.
• Build calm confidence like a peaceful warrior.
• Live with more meaning and clarity.

Subscribe to the newsletter now, and let’s reclaim your time—one week at a time.

Over to you:
What’s one thing you’ll do this week to slow down and reclaim your time?
Reply and let me know—I’d love to hear it.