Is "wasting time," relative? And is it a bad thing?

Question

Some people complain that shopping, tanning, sex, NOT working, being "counterproductive," etc, is wasting time.

But technically, isn't anything we do wasting time, because it is using up time and in the end we still die anyways?

The term "wasting time," seems to imply that what we're doing is not productive, and it's not somehow contributing to benefit ourselves, humanity, the world, or somehow deemed respectable even.

But isn't this term relative?

What one considers wasting time, another person doesn't.

Also many things considered to be wasteful are downright enjoyable.

Why is work so highly regarded, even if it makes one miserable?

Why don't people regard work as wasting time?

We as a society placed SUCH importance on success, productivity and other things, that anything that does not contribute to our "ON THE GO" mentallity is considered wasting time.

Remember boys and girls, after we die, we don't take our possessions we worked SO hard for, with us.

Answer 1

IT is relative to the situation. Time is all we got people. Do whatever will make you happy with what time you have left.

Answer 2

I regard the work I do as wasting my time. I do small time accounting for a big company right now until I go back to school in the fall. Its ok money, but so EMPTY! I can't believe people Ire actually "satisfied" with their lives at these meaningless office jobs and are looking for no advancement. I am only 25 and have always worked since I was 16 years old and this job is like being DEAD!

Answer 3

Yeah, that's fine.
So long as you don't sponge off other people while your living the easy life.
Most people are working to pay bills, to keep a roof over the head, so they can provide for their children and so they can enjoy the spare time they do have.
Our possessions are an extra gift to ourselves for all the work we have put in and working is a contribution to society.
I don't think that shopping, sex and tanning is a waste of time and I don't know anyone who has ever said that.

Answer 4

Wasting time is definitely relative.
As to being a bad thing, that depends entirely on your
perspective.

Example: anytime I spend not working on a movies script or
doing something regarding making a movie I consider to be a colossal waste of time, however there are those who
would say that the time I spend working on films is a waste
of time.

Depends on your point of view.

Answer 5

to answer why our society pushes for success and hard work to achieve goals and not to 'waste time', is because some people will waste time in such an unproductive way that they start getting bad ideas and no one has become all that successful. that's when you have a struggling society/country

Answer 6

I think we need a little of time wasting to be more productive when it is time to do so. I love Ecclesiastes (l. III, 8) ...

A Time for Everything
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?

10 ¶ I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

Answer 7

do you believe in an afterlife, religion, some greater power?
if so, wasting time is anything that does not contribute to the ultimate goals of the above said stuff
personally, as an existentialist, i do not believe in the concept of "wasting time". we're all going to die, so why not do what you want to and not do what you don't when we still can?

Answer 8

Wasting time is a product of being impatient. The impatient person will often say "you are wasting my time".

Letting go of impatience is often letting go of desire. The more you want the more likely you are to be impatient.

Answer 9

I don't think we're ever wasting time if we are being challenged at something that we strive to overcome. And you and I both know, we have many obstacles to overcome. And it doesn't matter where it may be, work, leisure time, hobbies, if we are being challenged that way.

Answer 10

wasting time is only relative to your time and what you want to do with it.forget what every body else thinks.
it is only bad if you feel guilty.soooooo what is guilt