Modern life has evolved in a way that sets us up for stress, pressure, and overload. New norms and attitudes tap into deeply wired psychological impulses that make it harder than ever to take control of our time. No wonder time can become a tyrant that leaves you chronically stressed and discontented. It would be enough if the ultimate consequences were only stress and discontentment. But those are just symptoms. Instead, it’s the prospect of living a life in which you spend your time doing the things that seem important, only to look back and realize you missed out on the things that actually are.
The journey to a life in which I am happily married, have the privilege of being a mom and a bonus mom, do work I truly love, and have strong friendships to cherish took many years. As it finally came together, I awakened to the reality that time and happiness are intricately interconnected. Margin empowers happiness. It is breathing room—the soft cushion between your schedule and your limits. I believe we can all benefit from reimagining the possibilities for living a life that is meaningful, at a pace that is natural, with a load that is doable.