Is Over-Optimizing Our Time Costing Us Happiness?

Productivity vs. Pleasure

Apr 23, 2024

Hello chai drinkers! This week, I had the chance to revisit the boarding school I attended, for the first time since 2017. As I wandered the campus, took some photos, reminisced about old times, and reflected on the years that have passed, I started to question my previous understanding of what defines wasted time.

This introspection brought me to two opposing lines of thought, and I'm curious to know if you’ve ever experienced similar thoughts.

Thought I - Teenage KG Wasted Too Much Time

In school, one of my close friends would often say:

“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”

Reflecting on those words, I realize I truly embodied that philosophy during my five years at boarding school. I followed all the required rules but didn't put extra effort into filling every moment productively. I was content just hanging out with my close friends, getting inspired by "One Tree Hill" to play 1v1 basketball, or lounging in the common room's lazy boy chair watching VH1's Top Ten on repeat. Back then, teenage Kanav never really focused on setting goals, pursuing self-improvement, or making holistic gains.

However, this past Saturday, as I wandered through the hallways, looked at old photographs, and glanced at the names on the honor boards, I found myself feeling critical of my younger self's seemingly wasted potential. As my cousin, a current student, shared stories about his school events, I couldn't help but selfishly wonder how different things might have been if I had the chance to do it all over again. But then, when he mentioned the mandatory 6 AM PT sessions they do every morning, I quickly came to appreciate my current life a bit more.

Thought II - Current KG Doesn’t Waste Enough Time

As the criticism towards my teenage self gave way to funner memories—like the 5 AM school rounds, lengthy dinner conversations, and the pranks we played—my self-criticism began to shift from my younger to my current self. As I reminisced about those carefree days, I realized how little I allow myself to simply enjoy the moment now, caught up as I am under the pressure of “making it”.

Instead, I found myself questioning:

“Have I become too obsessed with optimising my time?”

Let me explain. Recently, I've been extremely focused on engaging only in activities that directly contribute to my future career goals. I've nearly eliminated watching TV from my life, replacing it with videos and podcasts on entrepreneurship. I've also stopped spending time learning new recipes or cooking elaborate meals for myself, often questioning the long-term ROI of these activities.

While these forced habits have improved how I utilize my time, I am also not as happy as often as I used to be in high school spending time doing things more based on feelings than future reward.

What Exactly is My Dilemma?

This is one of those situations where I’m in the dark:

On one hand, there's the high-school Kanav who, while not particularly accomplished, was content and had a certain peace of mind.
On the other hand, there's the present-day me, who refuses to settle for mediocrity, yet often finds himself stressed and struggling to relax.

This contrast between past contentment and current dissatisfaction makes me question if both versions of myself (current and high school Kanav) might have their balance slightly off.

Do you ever struggle with finding your balance?

Weekly Health Hack - Do a Calorie Counting Internship

Counting calories is arguably one of the most foolproof methods for losing weight. However, turning it into a full-time job might not be the best approach. It requires high effort and takes the fun out of enjoying meals. Instead, consider what I like to call a "calorie-counting internship."

I spent some time counting my calories and it educated me tremendously about the caloric content of pantry staples like oats, meat, pasta, rice, oils, and fruits.

Why opt for an internship? Because it’s temporary.

And here’s why it’s beneficial:

Making Better Choices

Now, I no longer weigh my food or count calories, but I've developed the ability to estimate my daily caloric intake mentally.

For example, suppose I realize by afternoon that I've only consumed about 1500 calories (my daily intake is 2500 calories these days). In that case, I feel free to enjoy a more carb-heavy dinner or even indulge a little. Conversely, if I'm already at 1900 calories, I opt for low-carb meals for the rest of the day to stay within my limit.

Identifying Horrible Social Media Advice

Countless "weight loss healthy recipes" are circulating on social media, but not all are as healthy as they claim. Thanks to my experience with calorie counting, I can easily spot recipes that are high in calories. For instance, if a weight loss recipe includes 4 tablespoons (64g) of peanut butter, I know that's almost 450 calories right there—a fact I wouldn't be aware of without my "internship" in calorie counting. This knowledge is invaluable for making smart dietary choices in a world full of conflicting content.