From Timekeeping to Timeless
As we transition into retirement, how we perceive and use our time becomes more important than ever. Beyond the routine of work and daily commitments, there's an opportunity to rethink what it means to live with purpose and fulfillment. What an incredible gift this is!
When we raise our awareness and intention around how we spend our time and what we’re doing with our time, we often discover that many of our activities and routines aren’t meaningful to us or aligned with our values. But we can change this.
The two ancient Greek concepts, Chronos and Kairos, help us understand the significance of time. Considering time in these distinct ways offers powerful insights into how we can approach time in this new phase of life.
What are Chronos and Kairos?
Chronos refers to the measurable, linear passage of time—the hours, days, and years that steadily tick by. Many of us are familiar with this type of time, where we focus on productivity, structure, and filling our schedules. In retirement, this can translate into staying busy to feel useful or relevant, but it often leads to a sense of being active without true fulfillment. Of course everything we do doesn’t have to be closely looked at. However, if our dance card is always full, if we feel our schedule is running us instead of us making conscious decisions, or if life begins to feel like it’s routinized or no longer engaging, then it’s time for a shift. This is where the concept of Kairos can help.
Kairos is about those opportune, qualitative moments where time seems to stand still, and life feels meaningful. These moments of deep connection, insight, and joy can't be scheduled or measured by the clock. From its inception, Kairos has signified important moments of transformation, and those who embrace it often find a richer, more rewarding life.
Why are these distinctions about time helpful in retirement?
As we retire, blending Chronos and Kairos becomes essential for well-being. While Chronos helps us maintain structure and stay engaged, Kairos invites us to pause and seize the opportunities that bring meaning and purpose.
By balancing these two types of time, we can move beyond the pressure to merely "fill our days" and instead create a life filled with experiences that enrich our hearts and minds. We become more aware of fulfilling time versus filling time.
Remaining mindful of how we view and spend our time can profoundly affect our well-being and satisfaction in retirement. It’s in this chapter that we have the incredible opportunity to shift from the busyness that was often baked into our career to finding true fulfillment in the moments that matter. The key is recognizing and seizing this opportunity and treating our time as precious.
Through Kairos, retirees can discover a sense of purpose and joy beyond the clock's ticking, making retirement not just a phase of life but a time of transformation and growth.
Conflux Retirement Coaching is about merging the best of who you are with who you want to be. Let’s connect and explore your vision of your retirement and what activities, initiatives, and time investments will support that vision.
