The article explores the psychological and economic traps of equating time directly with money. Drawing lessons from the memoir I Was a Courier in Beijing by Hu Anyan, it illustrates how a strict “time is money” mindset leads to burnout, existential dread, and social stagnation, while presenting a case for strategic investing, documenting one’s own life, and redefining what it means to be free.

The Trap of Trading Time for Money

Using Hu Anyan’s grueling schedule as a courier in China, the article demonstrates how low-paying physical labor locks individuals into a cycle of mere survival. When earnings are directly tied to active working hours, every minute is calculated as a cost. This level of optimization forces workers to sacrifice basic human needs—such as skipping lunch or avoiding drinking water to save toilet time—leading to severe physical and mental exhaustion. Calculating time strictly in monetary terms ultimately prevents personal development and guarantees stagnation.

The Limits of a “Saver’s” Mindset

While frugality is often praised, a saving mindset driven purely by the fear of bankruptcy can severely hinder growth. The author points out that extreme savers often become passive, risk-averse, and unable to spend money when necessary. To break free from the financial treadmill, it is not enough to just save; one must learn to actively invest surplus funds into self-improvement, business development, or cash-generating assets.

Work, Identity, and the Pursuit of “Rare Happiness”

In modern consumerist societies, work has become the primary source of human identity. However, defining freedom simply as “the absence of work” is an unsustainable model. True freedom—or “rare happiness”—is achieved when an individual’s daily work aligns with their personal interests and values. Thanks to the internet, finding this alignment and creating niche income streams is far more achievable today than it was for previous generations.

The Power of Documenting the Mundane

Modern audiences are increasingly fatigued by hyper-polished, unrealistic media, turning instead to authentic, everyday stories. The global success of Hu Anyan’s book, which grew from self-published notes about his daily struggles, proves that there is immense value in the ordinary. The author encourages readers to document their own lives and careers. Even if these writings are never made public, keeping a personal record provides critical perspective and prepares one to capitalize on unexpected future opportunities.

Mentoring question

How often do you find yourself calculating the monetary cost of your free time, and is this ‘time is money’ mindset preventing you from resting or investing in your long-term growth?

Source: https://52notatki.substack.com/p/czas-to-nie-pieniadz-i-kilka-innych