As soon as I wake up in the morning, I turn off my phone alarm. At the same time, I check messages. Emails. Today's schedule. And even before I take a sip of coffee, the thought "there's no time" comes to my mind first.

I, too, am a professional in my mid-40s. Living day by day, splitting time, holding onto my schedule, pushing myself to not fall behind. Like a runner who cannot afford to lag in a competition. Yet sometimes, I suddenly wonder, why do we have to live in such a constant pursuit of time? Is that really 'living'?

Philosopher Martin Heidegger viewed time not merely as numbers or the hands of a clock, but as a condition of existence itself. We say we 'spend' time, but in fact, we are 'being' within it. However, in modern life, this time has overwhelmed me as a subject.

Especially for our generation, now in our 40s, both body and mind have passed their prime and have become deeply entrenched in the structure of life. Work, family, social responsibilities... In a structure where 'personal time' is increasingly hard to exist, each day passes as if chased by something. As if under the pressure that we must own and consume time.

We often say, "There is no time." But is it really that we have no time? Or is it that we can no longer use time as we wish?

In professional life, we always have to plan something. Presentations, meetings, organizing materials, childcare, weekend appointments. Our lives seem to flow only within the structure of 'schedules'. Yet, while in this structure, we gradually lose sight of 'here and now'.

Philosopher Henri Bergson divided time into two categories. One is 'Chronos'—the quantitative time indicated by the clock. The other is 'Durée'—the flow of time experienced within us.

Most of us live bound by Chronos. What time we need to go where, what we must finish in how many minutes, when we need to submit this work... As we cling to this quantified time, the time we actually feel, our own pace, begins to be increasingly ignored.

Eventually, we become not the 'masters' of time, but the 'slaves' of time.

The Illusion of Being Busy

The most common answer to the question, "How have you been?" is "I'm busy." As if being busy is proof of ability, or living a life filled with activities is a productive life, we live under this illusion.

However, being busy can sometimes be evidence that we have lost the priorities of our own lives. While we have more things we can do, there are also more unnecessary tasks, and as we entrust ourselves to things we feel we 'must' do, the things we should truly value often get pushed to the back.

Thus, time keeps slipping away, and I find myself panting as I chase after it.

The Courage to Stop

French philosopher Pascal said that all human misfortune comes from not being able to sit quietly alone.

Having forgotten how to be still, we also forget how to stop and how to rest. Especially for professionals in their 40s, it feels like we cannot afford to slow down, and if we pause for a moment, we fear we will lose everything and be seen as 'useless'.

But if we think about it, the truly important things mostly happen quietly and slowly. Reading a book, reflecting on our hearts, spending time silently with loved ones, walking. These are what ultimately constitute the essence of our lives.

While we are rushing forward, chased by time, the movie of life may quietly be heading towards the closing credits.

The Philosophy of Time in Reflecting on Life

We try to manage time. 'Time management apps', 'productivity tools', 'to-do lists'... But what we really need is a philosophical reflection on time, isn't it?

What am I spending my time on right now?

Is this time really for me?

And, is the way I am living meaningful to me?

If we can be honest in front of such questions, I believe our lives can gradually change.

Time is the most equitably given resource to us. Money, talent, and opportunities may differ, but everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. Within that time, we must be able to choose what to leave behind and what to let slip away.

At this midpoint of life in our 40s, we need to redefine our relationship with time. Time is not our enemy but our companion. While we may not know where it will take us, we should neither rush ahead nor lag behind, but have the courage to walk a little slower, at our own pace.

Isn't that the beginning of a 'life not ruled by time'?