Data on How We Spend Our Lives
Discover the inspiring and depressing insights from data on how we spend our time over the course of our lives. Learn the lessons from 6 graphs everyone needs to see.
![Author profile image](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1586859332104343552/V1HRpbP1_normal.jpg)
Sahil Bloom
Exploring my curiosity and sharing what I learn along the way. Gave up a grand slam on ESPN in 2012 and still waiting for it to land.
![Header media for article](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyWAF8DWcAEQC2-.jpg)
-
I recently came across data on how we spend our time over the course of our lives.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
The insights are simultaneously inspiring and depressing.
Here are 6 graphs everyone needs to see: pic.twitter.com/7X9x15KLvH -
Time Spent With Parents & Siblings
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Peaks in childhood and declines after age 20.
Lesson: Prioritize and cherish every moment. pic.twitter.com/j6rv2rJl36 -
Time Spent With Friends
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Peaks at age 18 and declines sharply to a low baseline.
Lesson: Invest your energy in the healthy, meaningful friendships that last. pic.twitter.com/sIUqEs4pu1 -
Time Spent With Partner
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Trends upwards until death.
Lesson: Never settle for less than love. pic.twitter.com/1KH5Kk0EL6 -
Time Spent With Children
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Peaks in your 30s and declines sharply thereafter.
Lesson: Slow down and embrace the sweetness. pic.twitter.com/TmdvS6gPlm -
Time Spent With Coworkers
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Steady during the prime working years from age 20-60.
Lesson: Find work—and coworkers—that create energy in your life. pic.twitter.com/P18RuHHDd0 -
Time Spent Alone
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Steadily increases throughout your life.
Lesson: Find happiness and joy in the time you have to yourself. pic.twitter.com/TNtYXLzaYf -
How We Spend Our Time pic.twitter.com/jlvzgLtlIM
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023 -
If you enjoyed this, follow me @SahilBloom for more visual threads and join 400,000 others who subscribe to my newsletter (link in bio). pic.twitter.com/Atab3ECLgC
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023 -
All of this data reminds me of one of my favorite sayings:
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
The days are long but the years are short. pic.twitter.com/M1pTsCH0M5 -
Last summer I was on a walk with my newborn and an older man approached me.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
He said:
“I remember standing here with my newborn daughter. An old man came up to me and said ‘It goes by fast, cherish it.’ Well, my daughter is 45 now. It goes by fast, cherish it.”
It hit me hard. -
For those asking, the visuals in the thread were done for me by Carousel (creator-focused spin-off of Off Menu).
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
They’re doing all my design work with a dedicated team.
You can learn more here. https://t.co/kzcTCOprff -
We waste a lot of energy on the past and future when the present is all that’s guaranteed.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
Spend it wisely, with those you love, in ways you’ll never regret. -
The concept of being a Time Billionaire changed my life. pic.twitter.com/9v8GMtZgAY
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023 -
To be sure, there are no “right” answers here.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) June 11, 2023
No one can tell you WHAT to think about time. I’m just trying to provide insights on HOW to think about time.
All of life's most important journeys start with asking the right questions.
This is a good place to start.