Recharging.

We all work hard. Many of us put in long hours, grinding through 40+ hour workweeks while juggling everything else life throws at us.

Think about your time:

• If you work 40 hours per week,
• Sleep 8 hours per night,
• Factor in lunch breaks and commutes,

That leaves about 70 "free" hours per week.

But is it really free?

• Family time? If you have kids in sports, practices and games alone can take up another 18 hours.
• Household responsibilities? Cleaning, shopping, cooking, yard work, and pet care can easily consume 16+ hours weekly.
• Church, clubs, and commitments? Another 4 hours on average.

When you add it all up, you’re left with roughly 20 hours a week for yourself—less than 3 hours a day.

But here’s the real question: Are you using that time to recharge, or is it just more of the same?

Burning Out Without Even Realizing It

If you wake up every day feeling energized, rested, and ready to go, consider yourself lucky—you’re one of the 9% of Americans who feel that way regularly.

For the rest of us? Not so much.

If you constantly feel drained, overwhelmed, or just "off," it might be time to take stock of your life and rethink your priorities. If the things you do in your so-called "free time" aren’t actually helping you recharge, then you’re speeding toward burnout.

Now, I know Def Leppard said it was “Better to burn out than to fade away,” but let’s be honest—most of us aren’t rock stars.

How I Realized I Was Running on Empty

For years, I worked six days a week, pulling 10 to 14-hour days. I’d leave home early, get back late, and had little time for myself or my family. And it was taking a toll.

• I was always exhausted.
• My mood was terrible (which isn’t like me—I’m generally an optimist).
• My marriage was suffering.
• I also realized I was spending way too much on alcohol.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not anti-drinking. I still believe a little now and then has its benefits (purely my opinion, not a medical fact that I know of). But my daily drinking habits were affecting my sleep, energy, and even my relationship.

The Wake-Up Call

I wasn’t recharging at all, and I had to make some changes. Here’s what I did: 1?? Cut back on alcohol. No more daily drinks—just wine with dinner occasionally and a limit on weekends. 2?? Eliminated distractions. I cut out TV, deleted social media apps from my phone, and suddenly had 2+ extra hours every day. 3?? Started meditating again. At first, I dozed off a lot, but eventually, I felt more rested and clear-headed. 4?? Went to bed 1 hour earlier. Simple, but life-changing. 5?? Set boundaries around work. My wife and I agreed: If we talked about work, it was only to vent or celebrate—then we moved on.

The result?

• My sleep improved.
• My mood lifted.
• My marriage got better (turns out, my wife wasn’t suddenly “nicer”—she was just less frustrated with me).
• I actually had time for hobbies again.

How Do YOU Recharge?

Whatever it is, make sure you actually schedule time for it. Whether it’s spending time with family, exercising, or sneaking in a motorcycle ride—it’s critical to protect that time.

But also, evaluate it. If something that once recharged you now drains you, don’t be afraid to make changes. You only get so many hours in a day, a week, a lifetime—and none of them are guaranteed.

So, before you say “I’ll start that tomorrow,” remember what Garth Brooks sang: "If tomorrow never comes…?"

For those who are like me—who lived in denial for too long—let me ask it this way: ?? If the most important person in your life was living the way you are now, and it was shortening their life, how would you feel?

That’s the question my wife asked me. And that’s what finally got me to wake up and make a change.

Final Thoughts

• The time breakdowns earlier? They were just rough estimates based on my life—not national stats.
• And, as they say, “92% of statistics are made up on the spot” (yes, I made that up too, just like the ones earlier).
• I’m not a counselor, but if you’re struggling and don’t know where to find help, DM me. I’ll do my best to connect you with resources in your area.

You are not alone. You are worth caring for. You mean the world to someone. And you are in someone’s prayers every day.

?? How do you recharge? What works for you? Let’s talk in the comments and let's learn and grow together.

#Recharge #onlysomuchtime #Burnout #Youarenotalone #Letslearnandgrowtogether #Statistics #foryourhealth