Running on Empty: How Time Poverty Is Stealing Our Joy and How to Reclaim Your Time

Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Happy Birthday Sarah Solomon. A full Elvis.

Are you feeling like there’s never enough time in your day? You’re not alone.

Many people today are experiencing what’s known as time poverty—the sense of constantly racing against the clock, trying to juggle work, family, and personal commitments, yet never quite catching up.

Even with time-saving technologies and productivity tools, more and more of us feel busier than ever.

But what exactly is time poverty, and how is it impacting your health, happiness, and relationships?

In this post, we’ll explore the rise of time poverty, dig into the social science behind it, and most importantly, offer practical strategies to help you reclaim your time and restore balance in your life.

What Is Time Poverty?

Time poverty isn’t just about being busy—it’s about feeling like you have too much to do and not enough time to do it.

This can happen to anyone, but research shows that time poverty is especially common among working parents, professionals, and people in high-stress jobs.

With so many competing demands, the sense of being stretched thin becomes overwhelming, leading to frustration, stress, and burnout.

According to the American Sociological Review, time poverty arises when there’s a gap between the demands placed on you and the time you have available to meet them (Gershuny & Sullivan, 2019). Despite all our modern conveniences, this gap is widening in today's fast-paced world.

The Causes of Time Poverty

You might think that smartphones, apps, and automation would free up more of our time, but they often have the opposite effect. Research shows that these tools can lead to over-scheduling and a constant pressure to be productive. The result? People are busier than ever, and the concept of “downtime” feels like a luxury.

A study in Social Indicators Research found that digital tools contribute to the illusion of productivity—we feel like we’re doing more, but often end up feeling even more time-poor (Mattingly & Sayer, 2006). Moreover, cultural expectations around hustle culture and work-life balance can leave folks feeling like they should always be on the go.

The Impact of Time Poverty on Health and Well-Being

Time poverty isn’t just an annoyance—it can have serious impacts on your mental and physical health.

When you're constantly pressed for time, stress levels spike, and that stress can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping.

According to a study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, those experiencing time poverty are more likely to suffer from mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety (Lachman & Weaver, 1998).

But it’s not just your mental health that suffers—time poverty can erode your relationships too. Families that struggle with time scarcity often experience higher levels of conflict and lower levels of satisfaction.

According to the Journal of Marriage and Family, the quality time families spend together is critical for maintaining emotional bonds and marital happiness (Offer, 2013).

Time Poverty and Financial Well-Being: A Surprising Link

You might assume that time poverty and financial poverty are completely different problems, but they’re often linked.

People who are financially secure can experience time poverty due to work demands or societal pressure to maximize every moment.

At the same time, those facing financial struggles are often forced to work longer hours or multiple jobs, leading to both financial stress and time poverty.

A study from the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization revealed that even higher-income folks often report feeling time-poor because they are expected to juggle demanding careers, family life, and personal fulfillment all at once (Hamermesh & Lee, 2007). In both cases, the toll on well-being is significant.

How to Reclaim Your Time

If time poverty has you feeling like you’re always running on empty, the good news is that you can take steps to regain control of your schedule—and your life.

• Prioritize Time Affluence
  Time affluence refers to the value you place on your free time. Research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that people who spend money to free up time (e.g., hiring help for household chores) report greater happiness and life satisfaction than those who don’t (Whillans et al., 2017). If you can afford to, consider outsourcing tasks that drain your time so you can focus on what truly matters.

• Practice Mindful Scheduling
  Do you know where your time goes? Keep track of how you spend your time for a week. Once you see how your day is structured, you can make adjustments. Are you spending your time on activities that align with your priorities, or are you stuck in a loop of obligations that don’t bring joy or fulfillment?

• Set Boundaries Around Work
  In a world that glorifies hustle culture, it’s important to set firm boundaries between work and personal time. Schedule breaks, resist the urge to check work emails after hours, and make time for leisure. This can prevent burnout and actually make you more productive in the long run.

• Embrace Slow Living
  Slow living is about intentionally slowing down and appreciating life’s simple moments. This might mean taking a walk, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a quiet moment. These practices can help counteract the constant push to stay busy and remind you to appreciate the time you have.

The Bigger Picture: Questions to Ponder

As we tackle the issue of time poverty, it’s worth reflecting on some broader questions: How did we reach a point where busyness is a status symbol? Is it possible to shift cultural norms to prioritize time affluence over work productivity? And how can we better balance the demands of modern life to ensure we’re spending our time on what truly matters?

Time poverty might feel overwhelming, but by taking deliberate steps, you can begin to reclaim your time and refocus on the things that bring joy and fulfillment. After all, time is the most valuable resource we have—let’s make sure we’re spending it wisely.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Gershuny, J., & Sullivan, O. (2019). Time use, time poverty, and the gender division of labour. American Sociological Review, 84(5), 705-731.

Hamermesh, D. S., & Lee, J. (2007). Stressed out on four continents: Time crunch or yuppie kvetch? Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 62(1), 237-247.

Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1998). The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 39(4), 373-391.

Mattingly, M. J., & Sayer, L. C. (2006). Under pressure: Gender differences in the relationship between free time and feeling rushed. Social Indicators Research, 88(1), 417-440.

Offer, S. (2013). Family time activities and adolescents’ emotional well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 75(1), 26-41.

Schor, J. B. (1991). The Overworked American: The Unexpected Decline of Leisure. Basic Books.

Whillans, A. V., Dunn, E. W., Smeets, P., Bekkers, R., & Norton, M. I. (2017). Buying time promotes happiness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(32), 8523-8527.