The Guide to a More Time Intentional Life 

Spending time intentionally can sound and seem like a fluffy, philosophical topic. Of course, life should feel intentional, right? At the end of it all, no one escapes alive, and we get one shot at our precious life. 

Not to mention that time is a non-refundable asset. There will never be another moment quite like the one you are in right now, and when the hourglass of life runs out, we can't magically create more time. 

For years, as I grappled with how to be more intentional, I turned to time management strategies, self-help books, structured routines, and everything in between. I thought if I could master how I spent my time, life would, in fact, feel more intentional. And while time management can be helpful, it's not enough to live life on purpose, find meaning in the mundane, and take one last breath without holding on to any shred of regret. 

Because time management alone doesn't help us answer questions like: 

  • Am I living in alignment with who I am and what I value? 

  • How can I stop "going through the motions" and be more present?

  • Am I savoring passing moments or wishing time would pass more quickly (only to wish it hadn't run out so fast?) 

  • How can I honor my life story and experiences in a way that feels meaningful to me? 

  • When it's all said and done, will I feel content with my choices and the life I've built?

Time management alone can't help you answer these questions, but a Time Intentional life will.

What does it mean to live a Time Intentional life?

Being more "Time Intentional" is about spending your life on the things that matter most to you in a value-aligned way. It requires being mindful about how you spend your time and aligning your actions to your desires, ensuring the minutes and years count. Intentional days create a life on purpose, rather than one in which we merely exist. Time is finite and temporary—most other resources (e.g., money, job titles, relationships, possessions, choices, etc.) will ebb and flow throughout our lives.

Think about it this way: A Time Intentional life is one in which you can answer the question, "If today were your last, would you be content with the life you've built and how you spent your time?" with a resounding, whole-hearted, "Undoubtedly! I loved every single moment."

Time Intentional isn't strictly about time management "hacks," tips, or tricks for squeezing the most out of your time. That said, knowing how to structure your days (and having the right tools to support the structure you need) is inherently valuable. Time management is one part of the picture, a skill that Time Intentional people build and use to build purposeful lives. 

Finally, what I love most about the Time Intentional lifestyle is how unique, personalized, and individual it is. We can learn and borrow inspiration from others when designing our lives, but ultimately, you, and only you, can decide what matters most to you and what choices you need (or have the ability) to make. 

The first step toward creating an intentional life

Creating a Time Intentional life can initially seem daunting and overwhelming, especially if you feel unclear about where to start. 

To be more mindful and deliberate about spending your time, you must understand what means the most to you. The best way to do this? Uncover your values. 

One question we don't ask ourselves enough as we age and evolve is: What are my values? 

It's a tricky question because there are no right or wrong answers, and while many of us have a set of unchanging core values linked to who we are, the rest of our values likely vary and evolve through different stages and seasons of life. What's most important to you when you're 15 will be different when you're 25, 45, 85, and beyond. 

Conversations with others show that many of us don't sit enough with and thoroughly examine our values. But it's never too late to start. 

How to uncover your values

If it's been a while since you've walked through a values exercise, I encourage you to set aside 20 minutes (now or later) to identify your most important 10-12 values. 

 If you need a place to start, here are a few suggestions:

Remember that while these resources offer lists of values to prioritize or choose from, you should also add any values you don't see but are essential. 

Download the Time Intentional free Values Workbook if you'd like a place to capture your values and reflect on what's most important to you (and why!). 

Loyalty is one of my unchanging values. And at the time of writing, my values in this stage of life (ones that may shift in priority or importance based on my season of life) include family, friendship, service, health, leisure, purpose, and growth.

Moving toward value alignment to be intentional with your time

With value clarity, you can take action and small steps toward living a Time Intentional life. You can't overhaul your entire life overnight (or if you can, I want to know your secrets!). Instead, use your values list to reflect and examine how you spend your time and where you want to make changes. 

Below are some questions to consider:

  • Why do each of the values you've chosen matter to you? What is your why?

  • Which values do I live out regularly? Which ones could use more of my attention? 

  • Picture your typical day. Conduct a mini time audit by laying out how you spend your day hour by hour (the more detail, the better). Ask yourself: How do I spend my days? Now, are you content with how you spend most of your days? If not, which parts feel misaligned with your values and why? 

  • Is your schedule providing you enough free time to do what you love? 

  • Do your daily/weekly/monthly habits help you spend your time intentionally? Are there new habits or routines you want to adopt? 

  • How would you spend your days if you had unlimited time and resources? 

Don't let these questions overwhelm or discourage you. The point is to develop an unwavering sense of self-awareness and to unleash dreams and desires you may have buried because of societal and external pressures. 

Check out this list of intentional journaling prompts to gain more clarity and identify new ways to incorporate small actions into your day that enable you to build a purposeful life you love. 

Small shifts toward intentionality 

As you reflect and take stock of your life, identify small actions and steps you can take to move toward your goals, which will help you maintain focus on what matters. Avoid trying to uproot your entire life at once. 

Take small action and set realistic goals

Setting goals, even small ones, adds up over time. If you value your health and want to live that value through regular exercise but don't currently schedule time to exercise, consider adding 10-minute walks to your day. Put them on your calendar, make them non-negotiable, and strive to build sustainable habits. 

Here are a few other ideas to help you get started:

  • Curiosity: Ask someone a thoughtful question about a topic you're curious about (or research it yourself).

  • Growth: Read or watch an educational video for 10 minutes each day.

  • Gratitude: Write three things you're grateful for before you go to bed each night.

  • Kindness: Dish out three genuine compliments this week in three different settings. 

  • Legacy: Write one story, lesson, or memory you'd want others to remember about you or your life. 

  • Love: Call, text, or send snail mail to a loved one you haven't spoken to for a while.

  • Service: Help someone today with a kind gesture like holding the door or offering time and resources to someone in need.

Get comfortable doing the uncomfortable

When you know how you want to spend your time, you also shed light on how you don't want to spend it, and sometimes that requires telling people "no," even when it feels uncomfortable. 

While there's something to be said for spontaneity, adding joy to your life, and enjoying unplanned moments, consistently going with the flow and agreeing to opportunities and invitations that don't align with how you want to spend your time can leave you too busy to focus on what matters most to you. 

Here are some actions you can take to lean into discomfort in favor of being more intentional:

  • Say "no" to social plans that drain you

  • Turn down a promotion or job that pays more but doesn't align with your values, like protecting your mental health (it's okay if money isn't at the top of your values list)

  • Have a tough conversation with someone you love, rather than let resentment build

  • Ask for help with something and express your vulnerability

  • Try a new skill or hobby and embrace being a beginner who isn't very good at something (and yell, "I suck at this!" a few times, just for fun)

  • Speak up and share your opinion, even if you feel you are in the minority or have an unpopular opinion (yes, even if your voice shakes!)

  • Embrace your fear and do something outside your comfort zone (Michelle Poler wrote a wonderful book about this: Hello, Fears) 

A Time Intentional life starts with you

Being more Time Intentional requires being mindful about how you spend your time and aligning your actions to your desires, ensuring the minutes and years count. It's a lifelong journey that pays a lifetime of dividends. 

For more reflections, inspiration, and ideas about living intentionally, subscribe to Time Intentional, a free weekly newsletter by Alyssa Towns.

Alyssa writes Time Intentional as the beloved granddaughter of three grandparents who didn't get to "finally enjoy life once they retired" because they didn't make it there. She writes to honor their legacies and to help remind others that time is an asset worth cherishing and is gone before we know it.