Your 8,760 Hours
This week’s Rivr Notes is about making the most of the time we all get — and asking if we’re spending it in ways that actually matter.
Every year, each of us is given the same gift: 8,760 hours.
It doesn’t matter where you live, what you do for a living, or how your calendar looks right now — we all start with the exact same amount of time. It’s one thing we all have in common. No one gets extra. No one starts with less. The difference lies in what we choose to do with it.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s break it down. A little time math, just for fun.
The Essentials
Let’s start with the non-negotiables — the “must be’s” of life. These are the things we all have to do, give or take.
Sleep:
Let’s say you aim for 8 hours a night. That’s 2,920 hours a year. Boom — one-third of your time, gone. (Hopefully in a cozy, restorative way.)
Eating (and all that surrounds it):
From meal prepping to late-night snacking, we’ll estimate around 2 hours a day. That adds up to 730 hours annually, or about 8% of your time. Yes, that includes staring into the fridge wondering why nothing looks good.
Wellness Routine:
Maybe you hit the gym, do some yoga, take long walks, or meditate. Let’s say 10 hours a week, or 520 hours per year — about 6% of your time.
So far? We’re already at about half of your annual time used up on sleep, food, and staying human.
And while these may seem like time-consuming basics, I genuinely believe the more you invest in them — in a healthy, balanced way — the more they might give back. Maybe even a few more hours, or years, down the line. I’m not a doctor, and this definitely isn’t medical advice, but that’s my take: prioritizing the fundamentals might just be the best investment you can make with your time.
Work: The Big Block
Next comes work — for many of us, the largest single chunk of structured time in the week. If you average 50 hours a week on the job, that adds up to 2,600 hours per year, or 30% of your total time.
At this point, we’re at about 80% of the year accounted for.
Daily Transitions (Wind-Up and Wind-Down Time)
Then there’s the transition time — the morning “wind-up” to get ready for the day, and the evening “wind-down” to shift gears and slow the momentum. Let’s call it 1.5 hours per day, or roughly 548 hours per year — just over 6% of your time.
What’s Left?
That equates to about 3 hours per day of truly open, unscheduled time. The time that’s completely yours to use however you want. Think about that. After all the must-do’s and have-to’s, you’ve still got this pocket of potential waiting for you daily.
So, the big question becomes: What are you doing with it?
The Disappearing Hours
This is where things can get a little slippery.
It’s the pull of the usual suspects — endless scrolling on social media, mindless TV, the kind of background noise that fills the space but doesn’t really give much back. What starts as a quick check-in or just one episode can quietly turn into an hour (or more) that slips away without you realizing it. These things aren’t inherently bad — sometimes they’re exactly what we need to unwind — but when they become the default, they can slowly crowd out the time we could be spending on something more energizing, creative, or meaningful.
A Simple Time Audit
That’s where a simple time audit can be eye-opening. And I mean simple. No spreadsheets, no apps, no guilt. Just a few days of paying attention. Over the course of a week, I like to check in with myself: Where’s my time going? Do I enjoy how I’m spending it? Does it align with what I value?
Here’s what I usually notice: My sleep is pretty solid. Eating and exercise — they’re part of my foundation. And while I try to keep work in check, I often find I’m working more than I thought — those early mornings and after-hours "projects" add up fast. That’s one adjustment I often consider.
The one that sneaks up on me? Social media. It starts with a quick scroll and somehow becomes an hour plus I don’t even remember. That’s time I could’ve spent reading, planning my next adventure, catching up with someone I care about — anything that adds more meaning or energy to my day.
The Real Opportunity
And that’s the beauty — and the challenge — of time. It’s finite, and we can’t make more of it. But we can decide how we use what we’ve got.
You don’t need to overhaul your life. You don’t need to track every second. But checking in? That can make all the difference. If what you’re doing with your time brings you joy, energy, or curiosity — keep doing it. If it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to shift the routine.
You’ve got finite hours in each day to spend however you want.
The question is: How do you want to spend it?
See you next week,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
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🎧 Bonus: If this sparked something for you, you might enjoy the companion podcast episode of Rivr Conversations. It builds on the ideas in this Rivr Note—offering a new angle, deeper reflection, and practical ways to carry the story forward.
🎙️ Subscribe to Rivr Conversations and listen wherever you get your podcasts—just search for “Rivr Conversations” on your favorite platform.
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