I spent some quality time with my television last night. I don't think my television appreciated that time that I put in. My wife didn't mind because she was devoting some of her own quality time to sleep. She probably made the more constructive choice.
Quality Time
For years I've heard the term "quality time." It's one of those pop phrases that people throw out there to describe something they'd like to do and often think they do, but it's questionable as to what the term actually means. My assessment is that it means different things for different people in relation to different things. Sounds like a bit of a cop out I guess, but I'm sticking to it.
Usually we think of quality time as having to do with our kids, family, or friends. But in reality we should probably try to inject quality into all of the time we are given. My goal should be to provide quality time to myself just as I would to a loved one.
Our jobs, our passions, or whatever we pursue should consist of time that has as much quality as we can put into it. After all, time that has no quality is essentially wasted time or useless time. Or better still we might call it perfunctory time.
I've never been particularly fond of the concept of killing time or just passing time for no reason or purpose. And keep in mind that time spent reflecting or daydreaming is not time ill spent. Those minutes or hours can be some of the best and most rewarding passages of time of all. Quality time devoted to ourselves.
We should look at our time with our loved ones as high quality time since those times are fleeting. Our memories of those times should be filled with happiness. But time itself is our most enduring friend--or in some cases enemy. If I can befriend my enemy then my time can be filled with quality.
What do you consider to be quality time? Do you feel you often miss the quality and shoulder a burden of time? Do you receive all of the quality time from others that you would like?
I enjooy the quality time blogging, but would dearly love to have quality time with my family.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed your quality YV time.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, quality time with family is very important. In your case, the time with you is important time that your family is missing out on if they aren't experiencing it now.
DeleteLee
I like that you include time spent daydreaming or reflecting as quality time. Staring at the horizon is soothing for me. The enemy of quality time is probably multi-tasking, like when you try to have a conversation while also fiddling on the computer or the phone. Maui Jungalow
ReplyDeleteCourtney, our internal time might not look like we are doing anything useful from the viewpoint of those looking on, but it can make a world of difference to us.
DeleteLee
Being an introvert, I like to spend time with only a few people. I think that quality time is time that both parties enjoy. Thus it totally depends mutual enjoyment otherwise what's the point in it. Nice post thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteBest wishes!
Karnika, I too prefer one on one time or time spent with just a few people. In a crowd we can get lost at times, though I think those times can be important too.
DeleteLee
Free time is quality time, time when I have nothing important to do. Time to think, wonder, imagine, dream, relax - time to do...nothing.
ReplyDeleteAnother day in Amble Bay!
Another day in Amble Bay!
Keith, I love my free time--well, that's mostly what I have these days--but my working time could be pretty great sometimes. I wish I had appreciated more of those working times when I felt kind of disgruntled about doing what I was doing at the time and instead relished more of that time. But I did enjoy my work most of the time.
DeleteLee
That's a great definition of quality time - time well spent. I try to get as much quality out of my time as I can because of course, we all get a finite amount.
ReplyDeleteNick, my goal is to make all my time as feeling like it was well spent. Thank goodness we can always retreat into our minds when our environment is not as good as we'd like it to be. Even the crappy times are part of that bigger limited amount of time that's give to us so we should make it all as good as it can be.
DeleteLee
My idea of quality time is time alone with no one bugging me by phone or text.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, few people call or text me so that's not among my big distractions, but I totally get what you're saying.
DeleteLee
Quality time is time spent doing anything you enjoy, whether it's productive or not. To quote the great John Lennon: "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." ☺
ReplyDeleteDebbie, so true! If you're enjoying what you're doing then what you're doing must be the right thing for that moment in time.
DeleteLee
Quality time depends on your personal definition. What is one persons quality time is another's waste of time.
ReplyDeleteA to Z Theme: Sharing Family History via #GenealogyPhotoADay By Fran from TravelGenee Blog
Fran, if we like what we're doing then we must be right. When someone else suggests that I'm wasting my time doing something, in practical terms they might have a good point, but then it's my life so maybe I know what's best for me at the moment I'm doing it.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteQuality time means to me what I manage to get done whatever the task set before me. I find if I keep a list of to-dos then this helps me to see my accomplishments as I cross each off or when I dabble in any of my passions that's quality time, too. I think whatever you do if you're enjoying what you're doing then it's quality time spent. That can be anything from house chores to lazing around with the family. There are no boundaries or rules to follow when you look at quality time with this frame of mind. :) Thanks for popping over this morning.
Today’s Art Sketching Through the Alphabet illustration is of the Evil QUEEN from a classic children’s fairy tale.
~Curious as a Cathy
Cathy, ah yes! The old to-do list. I tried that now and then and it's a good way to schedule ones time. I keep forgetting to make those lists though.
DeleteJoy can be found in all things if we look at them the right way.
Lee
Lovely post Arlee thank you! Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Yes, it can be overused and meaning little. Quality time is essential in our lives; as you say for ourselves whether daydreaming or fantasising. Time with loved ones is always quality time, fleeting as you say. Use time wisely is what I get from this, and to ensure more quality rather than quantity.
ReplyDeleteSusan S, I'll always be happy to take more quantity of time, but I want it all to be quality.
DeleteLee
You made a good point right in the beginning, Arlee. Sometimes, it's a matter of spending time doing something for ourselves even if it's watching television or taking a power nap or walking the dogs. It helps make us better people for those we love. That equates to quality time.
ReplyDeleteElsie, we can get lost in the big things of life, but we can lose ourselves to a greater gain in the little things. Most of life consists of small moments that add up to a quality existence.
DeleteLee
Quality time is one of the Five Love Languages. It's the love language of my husband, too.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, quality time is addressed to those we love (including ourselves). It's a language we should all be able and willing to communicate on a regular basis.
DeleteLee
I start to go crazy if I don't get in a big chunk of time for reading, writing, and finding new music.
ReplyDeleteI mean, it feels as though my life is on hold until I get that time in.
I guess that is my quality time.
Harry, we all have our "fixes" that we need in order to function. Nothing wrong with yours.
DeleteLee
For me, quality time means when I spend my time constructively with loved ones & or by doing things I love.
ReplyDeleteThese days time is at a premium & quality is lofty!
'Don't QUIT' #AtoZChallenge
Anita, "constructive" is a key word in relation to quality I think. If what we do doesn't help make ourselves or those around us at least a tad better then we have to wonder what good we accomplished.
DeleteLee
Quality time with a wink and nod is the best. But yeah, just taking a little time for ourselves and enjoying something is great too.
ReplyDeletePat, we all need a bit of down time to help us recharge.
DeleteLee
I'd consider most of my time to be quality time, whether it's working toward my dreams, or spending time with the wife, or writing with my co-author. All of it is quality. I don't give myself time to be bored. To sit around just for the sake of killing time or doing nothing. To me, that's the only example of time that isn't quality, and I don't want that in my life*.
ReplyDelete*this is completely different from relaxing or recharging, which of course we all need
ABFTS, most of my time is quality except when I'm angry or super frustrated about something and then I might go about and stew. Eventually I'll realize I not getting anything useful accomplished and start focusing on something--even if it's a movie on TV or something.
DeleteLee
Quality time comes in all ways. I just spent 30 min. quality time with a cup of coffee on the patio, reading Psalm 5, listening to songbirds, and taking in Vitamin D.
ReplyDeleteSusan, your quality time sounds like the definition of the term.
DeleteLee
As time goes on, I begin to see how little "quality time" I have spent. Especially as I grow closer to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteCW, we often get so distracted by life than we forget to live.
DeleteLee
To me quality time is any time I enjoy or get something done that needs to be done. I do tend toward the enjoying more than the getting things done as I get older.
ReplyDeletePerspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Barbara, whenever something needs to be done, no matter if it is drudgery or what, we should go into the chore with a good attitude and pride in our work. It's still quality even if it isn't particularly memorable.
DeleteLee
The older we get, the more we realize that all time is quality time.
ReplyDeleteI just not sure about quality time....I mean, I get what it is supposed to be about but not sure if I do this. I kind of like to say that I give crappy time:) I enjoy watching movies where many people would say that is not quality time because I should be jogging, volunteering or doing something I really don't like doing. I spend time with my mom and I am glad to go...but also glad to leave. Sounds cruel but it's hard to see someone you love not reallly there with you...dementia is nasty. I enjoy spending time with my friends and we often "shoot the sh, um, breeze. I just know I enjoy the moments I have with people and just by myself.
ReplyDeleteQuality time is making a difference with that person, a wise person told me it isn't the quanity it is the quality.
ReplyDelete