The Luxury of Time: Why It’s the Rarest Commodity We Have

Luxury, its very definition says that its the enjoyment of expensive beautiful things; a very comfortable and enjoyable situation. Each to their own, the meaning of luxury varies to every individual's personal choices and experiences. However, in the current times, its connotation has become merely confined to just one word "expensive". Anything expensive these days is equivalent to luxury. I have different thoughts on this and for me luxury is something totally different than it's actually believed to be.

Luxury for me isn’t just about designer bags, business-class flights, or staying in a five-star suite—it’s about having the freedom to spend my time the way I truly want. We live in an age where “busy” has become a badge of honor. But what if the real badge of success is having slow mornings, spontaneous afternoons, and evenings spent with people who make your heart feel full? Well, I love these.

For me, I can not trade in any kind of wealth or luxury with spending time with the people I love. Being with my parents, having coffee with my husband, travelling with my family, teasing my brother, remembering my childhood times with my cousins, going for walks with my husband, travelling with him, these are the luxuries that no amount of money can buy. The luxuries of today are mere wealth powered materialist commodities that are now just a symbol of presentation of affluence, irrespective of how much chaos they must be going through for those materialist luxuries.

The uncertainties around the world today, especially after COVID definitely gave us a wake up call that nothing is permanent. Everyone is here for a limited time and we do not know the length of that time, not even ours, because age does not define that. We get caught up in running after the luxuries so very much that we discount spending time with the ones who matter, the ones we love, even us, we simply do not have time to spend with ourselves as well. And once we lose someone we love, all we have is the regret, to have spent some more time with them. A simple wish to talk to them on phone, a little video call and at times when we are even ready to trade in every luxury we have for that one hug, one call with that person. Sad but true!

Now, for me, time is the most precious investment. I love to make time for people I love, people who mean to me. I love to spend occasions with them, go for little brakes, enjoy the little beauties of life. But in return, I also do not expect them to do the same for me. This is simply because how important they or their occasions are for me does not mean that I also hold that same importance in their life and for me this is perfectly fine and understandable. It never gets in between my relationship with them or love for them. If we do something in return of something, then its not love, its a transaction. I myself got this clarity after going through some of such experiences but now I am better and at a much happier place. This makes me feel content, at peace and works perfectly for me and I think it would do for a lot of people of they follow this consciously.

I’ve stayed in gorgeous hotels, gone to beautiful places, and worn beautiful clothes—and yes, they bring joy. But the deepest feeling of abundance comes from things that are not materialistic, that money can't buy.

In the end, luxury is the freedom to choose what to do with your hours—and the wisdom to spend them well and who to spend them with.

💭 Here’s my question for you: If time were currency, how would you spend it differently starting today? Drop in your thoughts in comment box.

Love,

Shriya!