A Groundhog Foreshadowing: Time and Time Again

When Phil the Groundhog failed to see his shadow on February 2, 2020, we had no idea of the true meaning of that day and the cataclysmic events that were to follow. The early spring that was projected was a hopeful, encouraging sign, but the March winds brought unexpected changes that we could never have imagined. The virulent coronavirus was suddenly upon us, along with incremental restrictions that ultimately led to enforced isolation.

Groundhog

Source: Source: Alefar/Pixabay

Conceptions of Time

Human beings are naturally curious and have continually searched for an understanding of time. Our so-called “sense of time” is different from our other senses in that we actually perceive it rather than sense it. In other words, our brains receive complex information from our senses and organize it so we can make sense of it. This process occurs before we are able to perceive time in a particular manner (Cooper, 2016).

When the brain is not receiving adequate stimuli, time seems to go by slowly. Conversely, when there is a great deal of stimuli, a rush of adrenaline or dopamine occurs and time seems to fly by. For instance, when we are engrossed in an activity or striving to reach a goal, we pay greater attention and time seems to go by quickly. The same thing happens when we’re having a good time socializing, playing a game, watching an enjoyable movie, or reading an interesting book. When we’re bored or unoccupied, we feel more lethargic and become more aware of time passing slowly.

The old adage “time flies when you’re having fun” has presented new challenges in recent weeks. An unaccustomed relationship with time has emerged as we shelter-in-place devoid of our normal routines. Most of us are either working from home or completely out of work as the minutes, hours, and days tick by. Some of us are students learning in a virtual classroom environment for the first time. Without our usual structure and responsibilities, it may feel like “Groundhog Day” every day. Just like in the movie of the same name, we may be trapped in a time warp and repeat the same actions and patterns over and over on a daily basis. It’s easy to lose track of the days and the distinction between weekdays and weekends seems to have vanished. This metaphor has become more of a reality in the context of our isolated existence. Although time remains elusive and ethereal, it occupies our thoughts even more as we grapple with these adjustments. This is the longest “time out” we’ve ever experienced and we have no frame of reference to guide us through this horrific ordeal.

Personality Types and Time-Management

Just as in the office, personality types influence time-management skills in the home environment. Introverts have an easier time being alone and finding intrinsic motivation to complete tasks. They are also more apt to adjust to self-isolation if they are basically independent by nature. If you are an extroverted person, you rely more heavily on outside stimulation and being around others to get work done. This could present problems if you generally function as part of a team and derive energy from that dynamic. Virtual meetings via Zoom or similar platforms may not fulfill the same needs as face-to-face interactions with co-workers. Finding ways to concentrate when there are different types of distractions is an additional factor. This can make us feel inundated by things we can’t control, thereby draining us of the necessary impetus to accomplish goals and objectives.

The shelter-in-place order has implications whether you are a planner or prefer to live in the moment. Those of us who concentrate more on the here and now can employ techniques like meditation to improve focus and manage daily stressors. Approaching life one day at a time is an invaluable coping mechanism for dealing with the indefinite time frame of this crisis. If you tend to look ahead to the future, you may become overwhelmed by the inability to make plans and the disappointment of canceled events you had anticipated. Procrastination may become more of an issue if we are seeking immediate rewards for completing projects or goal-setting. We no longer have a clear picture of our future, so our present self is directing us towards avoidance rather than action. On the other hand, if you are a bit of a dreamer, you may thrive on creating a positive vision of your life once the pandemic has passed. Trying to find structure in an atmosphere of chaos is a conundrum whether time is viewed as fleeting or seemingly endless. Are we “killing time” or is time killing us?

Tipping the Scales of Work-Life Balance

A complete turnaround has occurred in the constant struggle to achieve a work-life balance. The former time-management skills we implemented in an attempt to maintain a personal, professional, and family life have essentially become obsolete. This applies to households with both parents working at home, single-parent homes, or having to work outside of the home. Many parents and caregivers have to provide homeschooling for their children, in addition to tackling a myriad of other pressing responsibilities. Moreover, having older children back home from college or temporarily relocating entails another type of adaptation. How do you maintain a schedule that adequately incorporates work duties, parenting, teaching, shopping, household chores, and managing time while also social distancing? How many “hats” can you wear in addition to the mandatory masks without losing your mind? The 24-hours in a day often don’t seem to be enough, particularly if you’re also aiming to get an adequate amount of sleep.

Man looking at clock

Source: Source: Oladimeji Ajegbile/Pexels

Conflicting Views About Time

If we agree philosophically that time is continuous, we must also take into account the dichotomy of time in the current climate. We all want the coronavirus pandemic to be over as quickly as possible. By the same token, we don’t want to rush precious time away from our lives. We know the luxury of time is a gift and life seems to pass by at lightning speed as we get older. This paradox is surfacing even more strongly as the relentless virus continues to plague our communities. With this in mind, using time “wisely” is not a cliché when it creates meaning in our lives, gives us a sense of purpose, and preserves our identity.

The saying “time is of the essence” is glaringly apparent in its application to the life-and-death situation surrounding this unpredictable virus. The symptoms can escalate suddenly and without warning, so decisions have to be made immediately regarding medical interventions. Health care workers on the front lines are confronting this dilemma on a daily basis compounded with being overworked and exhausted. The demanding overtime shifts are taking their toll and time seems to be another viable enemy in this battle. Scientists are in a race against time to find safe, effective treatments as well as a vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

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Our relationship to time is being tested in an unprecedented fashion. The lessons we learn from this experience will remain nebulous until we return to normalcy. Will we continue to perceive time differently and have a deeper appreciation of how we spend our days? Only time will tell the whole story about our evolution and its longstanding repercussions.