Jace Lamonica
Getting older isn’t the problem—how you spend your time is. People don’t lose time because life slows down; they lose it to small, sneaky habits that chip away at their days without them noticing. Here’s where most older adults unknowingly waste hours that could’ve been spent on something better.
Channel Surfing That Eats Your Entire Evening
It starts with, “What’s on?”—and before you know it, you’ve spent an hour flipping between reruns and infomercials without actually watching anything. This is why older adults spend more time watching TV than younger folks but don’t necessarily enjoy it more. So, maybe it’s time to pick a show on purpose.
Falling Into The Social Media Scroll Trap
You hop on Facebook to check one message, and suddenly, you’ve liked three vacation albums, watched a recipe video you’ll never make, and somehow landed in the comments section of a heated debate. Social media is designed to keep you scrolling—but giving it purpose (a quick chat, a group check-in) keeps it from draining your day.
Waiting For ‘Someday’ To Finally Have Fun
Older adults often put off enjoyable things, believing a perfect time will arrive. Travel plans, diets, hobbies, and even small outings get shelved for “someday.” The truth is, nothing aligns perfectly. When you keep waiting, it’s easy to realize too late how much time was wasted waiting for conditions that never show up.
Watching Old Favorites On An Endless Loop
Sure, “Murder, She Wrote” never disappoints, but when was the last time you tried something new? Rewatching comfort shows is cozy, but doing it every other night leaves little room for surprise. A new documentary or show might shake up your routine and keep your brain sharper while at it.
Obsessing Over Tiny, Meaningless Decisions
What’s for dinner shouldn’t take 45 minutes to decide. Neither should which sweater to wear. Overthinking minor choices adds unnecessary stress and drains the energy you could be using elsewhere. Let go of the “perfect” pick. Save your brainpower for things that actually matter.
Organizing… And Then Organizing Again
You already arranged the pantry, but now you’re reorganizing your spice rack for the third time this month. Constantly tweaking your environment can disguise itself as productivity, but it often sidesteps deeper, more rewarding activities. If it’s tidy, it’s done. Now, go enjoy something outside the house.
Complaining About Things That Never Change
Venting feels like a relief. However, endless griping about the government, younger generations, or yesterday’s weather fixes nothing. Worse, it keeps attention stuck in the same place. Time spent complaining about things beyond anyone’s control could’ve gone toward meaningful conversations or actions that change something closer to home.
Ignoring Time-Saving Technology
Refusing to adapt to new tools? Technology that improves bill payment or smart home gadgets can help you with daily tasks. The extra minutes spent manually handling everything could instead go toward leisure or relaxation, but resisting technology becomes a time thief all on its own.
Holding Onto Deadweight Relationships
Not every decades-long friendship stays positive. Some relationships drain more than they give, yet people keep them alive purely out of habit. Continuing conversations that leave you feeling irritated or obligated wastes time that could be spent with people who genuinely enrich your life.
Reading Negative News Without Doing Anything About It
There’s a fine line between staying informed and overdosing on bad headlines. Reading grim news stories without acting on them only feeds anxiety. So, cut down the time you spend on that kind of news and redirect your energy into volunteering or donating. It will keep you from getting mentally exhausted.
