![IMG_5141_01.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVZN7EH2M8eH7h9TQPPS82EZTqrTHdcWa5rWrYTiPjGhR/IMG_5141_01.jpg)

> "To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, every cubic inch of space is a miracle." -Walt Whitman 

Today I carefully affixed some super strong duck tape, in black (just to be stylish) to my boots. Water is leaking in from a number of cracks and it's not fun working with wet feet.  I could buy a new pair.  I can afford new boots if I really want them. But these boots will do just fine. 

When @freedomtribe asked the question ["What's the one thing you have lost - or would be afraid to lose - which would limit (or has already limited) your personal Freedom?"](https://steemit.com/freedomtribe/@freedomtribe/freedom-challenge-closing-date-extended-to-sunday-5th-may-50sp-in-prizes) The first thing that came to mind was ... 

># Time

## Time is precious. We only get so much and how we spend matters.  
I used to spend my days living in what seemed like an eternal time deficit. All of the hopes, dreams, ideas that would spark inside me would silently die because there was rarely enough time to pursue anything outside of the carefully constructed life we were trying to keep together at the seams. I got caught in a loop that I could not escape. I knew time was precious. I knew I was missing opportunities. I knew we needed to change. 

>  [A new survey](https://www.studyfinds.org/survey-average-american-free-time-week/) finds that the average American adult logs just four hours and 26 minutes of time to themselves in a given week. A lot of people would even argue they have less free time than this. Have you ever felt like you were negative freer hours - I've been there! 

We eventually we escaped that endless loop I was trapped in and with this change we've prioritized time. There's a balance because we do need money to live but with a powerful change in mindset we've made it work for us.  Having known what it's like to be in a time deficit, I  am quite protective of my time and get very grumpy when it is wasted by others carelessly. 

## As for what my boots have to do with time - that's simple really. Time and money are deeply intertwined. 
Everything dollar we earn comes at the cost our time. The push to want and spend is an eternally hungry machine. Would you rather have new boots or a day to do as you please? A shift in mindset can change everything for the better. 

We are  incredibly careful with money because it affords us a lifestyle where most days there is plenty of time to do what we want to do. I love being the director and executive boss lady of my life. I don't wear a watch. I guess the time of day by looking at the sky. We are healthier because of it too. Today I'm going to work hard. Tomorrow I'm going to hike in the woods and gather some wild food.  My life - my time. So, with that in mind I'll tape up my boots and be all the happier for having done so. 

![budget3.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaPHeBqjATLGxaKryt3i7m74RW4uBuvZcxnJkws9e4ags/budget3.jpg)

 ["What's the one thing you have lost - or would be afraid to lose - which would limit (or has already limited) your personal Freedom?"](https://steemit.com/freedomtribe/@freedomtribe/freedom-challenge-closing-date-extended-to-sunday-5th-may-50sp-in-prizes) 

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