Remember when you were younger and had all these plans for what you wanted to achieve at different stages of your life? Have you achieved all that you wanted? Why do you feel like time is running out if you haven’t managed to accomplish all the goals you set for yourself?
Time anxiety is a real thing that many people experience, whether because they have set some goals that they are no longer sure of their ability to accomplish or because of society’s expectations. There are many reasons you could be feeling like you are running out of time to do certain things or achieve particular life milestones. Nowadays, there is a lot of pressure to be a certain way at various ages that even some people as young as 18 feel the pressure to have achieved major goals in life just because it is expected of them
But why do you keep putting so much unnecessary pressure on yourself and letting others dictate what you should have achieved at particular points in your lives? If you have been feeling like you are running out of time lately, here are some tips on how to stop it and embrace your life as it is.
- Go at your own pace: Everybody is in their own time zone. To learn how to stop feeling like you are running out of time, you need to stop comparing yourself with others. Don’t feel pressured to have the same things someone else has just because it is expected of us. This is our life, and only you should have the reins to it. Go at your own pace. No matter how long it takes, you will eventually get to where you want.
- Set realistic goals and Be flexible to changes: Many people set goals inspired by what they have seen from others or because they are expected to have achieved various To stop feeling like you are running out of time, learn to set meaningful, realistic goals that set you up for success and happiness in your personal and professional life. You could even create a vision board to manifest your dream life and to help you stay focused on your goals. In case things don’t work out the way you hoped, you should also be flexible to change your expectations to avoid feeling like you have failed.
- Practice positive affirmations: Life dissatisfaction and negative thoughts about inadequacy are some of the reasons why you could be feeling like time is running out. So, the first thing you have to do to stop feeling like you are running out of time is to not allow words like, ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘If I don’t do XX by the time I’m X years old, I will be a failure’ into your mind. Not only will you develop a positive outlook, but also you will regain control over your life.
- Patience: One way to learn how to stop feeling like you are running out of time is by becoming more patient with yourself if things do not seem to be working out as fast as you want. There is a reason why there is a saying that ‘Patience is a virtue.’ While someone else could have achieved a lot at a young age, that doesn’t mean there is no chance of you achieving the same things just because it hasn’t happened yet. It is never too late to be successful.
- Reduce screen time: Using social media platforms too much is another reason why you might be feeling like you are running out of time. These platforms make people compare themselves unfairly with their age mates, especially those who seem to be doing much better than they are, resulting in feelings of inadequacy and life dissatisfaction. Reducing your social media use is one of the most effective ways to stop feeling like you are running out of time. If you don’t see how others are doing, you can’t compare yourself with them, and instead, you will focus on your own growth and achievements.
- Be grateful: Finding something to be grateful for every day is one way to stop feeling like you are running out of time. Instead of focusing on what you have not achieved in life, think of what you have achieved. Get yourself out of your head and learn to live in the moment. Find joy in everything, celebrate your small victories and have fun on your life’s journey.
The feeling like you are running out of time to do particular things is very common, especially as you approach the ages that you are ‘supposed’ to have achieved some of life’s major milestones. However, using the above tips can help you stop this feeling and become more satisfied with your life.
You don’t own anyone anything, so stop putting all that pressure on yourself to try to please others. You are exactly where you are supposed to be!