Take Control of Your Time and Find True Contentment

Niro Feliciano, once overwhelmed with her commitments as a mom of four and a busy professional, realized she spent little time on what brought her joy. She recollects a moment in her office, after back-to-back sessions, wondering when she last invested quality time with her kids. This awareness prompted her to align her time with her values.

Feliciano, author of This Book Won’t Make You Happy: Eight Keys to Finding True Contentment, advises reassessment for anyone feeling trapped on a ‘hamster wheel.’ Many of her clients feel their daily schedules lack meaning.

Conduct a Time Audit

Feliciano recommends listing important people and activities, such as spending time with loved ones or pursuing hobbies. Then evaluate where your time actually goes. Do your priorities match your daily routine? If you find your day consumed with chores and obligatory tasks, adjust to align with important aspects of life. Achieving this alignment fosters inner peace.

Eliminate Time-Wasters

Feliciano stresses setting boundaries to reclaim time. Identify what drains and exhausts you. She herself cut down on social media, which wasn’t a priority. Communicate when you need a break from certain activities or people. Those who respect you will understand and support healthy boundaries.

Particularly for mothers, Feliciano suggests enlisting family in daily chores. This practice benefits everyone involved.

Embrace Free Time

Once you secure more time, be intentional with it. Feliciano suggests engaging in joyful activities, connecting with old friends, or starting new projects. Visualize filling free time purposefully. Even embracing boredom can be rewarding, allowing much-needed rest.

Resist the impulse to always stay busy. Define your identity beyond acquisition and accomplishment. Otherwise, you might remain in pursuit of unattainable fulfillment.

This story was edited by Meghan Keane. Visual editor: CJ Riculan. Episode producer: Margaret Cirino. Share your thoughts by voicemail at 202-216-9823 or email at [email protected].

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