When Time Slips Away: Learning to Be Present in a World That Pulls Us Apart

Yesterday, I caught myself doing that thing again—staring at my phone, scrolling through nothing. I had opened it to answer a message, and before I knew it, forty-two minutes had vanished in the TikTok–Instagram–Email vortex of distraction. The pasta water was boiling over on the stove. My dog sat patiently by her bowl staring at me. A text from a friend sat unread. And I had that familiar sinking feeling again—that little ache behind the ribs—the feeling of time slipping away.

Have you felt it too?

We wake up determined to be productive, motivated, present with our loved ones…and then somehow, the day dissolves into mental noise and half-finished tasks. It’s not that we’re lazy or careless or unmotivated. In fact, we’re often the opposite—heart-led people who carry a hundred dreams, responsibilities, and thoughts in our minds at once.

But here is the truth we rarely speak out loud:

We aren’t losing time because we don’t care. We’re losing time because our minds are overwhelmed.

Somewhere between trying to do it all and being everything to everyone, we drift into distraction. And distraction quietly steals the moments that matter.

Yet deep down, I believe we don’t actually want more time. We want more life in our time.

The Battle for Presence

There is a quiet heartbreak happening in families today, and many of us are living inside it without realizing it.

• Parents at the dinner table scrolling phones under the edge of the table.

• Kids talking but not really being heard.

• Loved ones sitting together but living separately in their own screens.

• Couples sharing a couch but not sharing conversation.

We don’t do this because we don’t love each other—we do it because we’re exhausted, overstimulated, and mentally tangled in a thousand threads at once.

Life has become noisy.

And maybe—just maybe—God is gently whispering over our hurried hearts:

“Come back to what matters.”“Slow your steps, child. I never asked you to race.”

Time Was Never the Problem—Attention Was

No one teaches us how to live intentionally anymore. So we default to drifting—caught in currents of distraction and overstimulation. But your time is not meant to be lived in pieces. Every day is a gift. Not a race. Every moment holds meaning. Not every moment needs multitasking. Every person in front of you—matters most in that moment.

Yes, we have responsibilities. Yes, we have jobs, laundry, deadlines, hopes, side projects, and dreams—but none of that should cost us presence.

Time management isn’t really about schedules—it’s about honoring what we love.

So how do we do that?

Five Heart-Led Ways to Take Back Your Time

These aren’t strict rules. They’re gentle practices—small, doable shifts that bring your life back into rhythm.

1. Set Guardrails, Not Chains

Scrolling isn’t bad. Netflix isn’t evil. Reading or crafting for hours isn’t a waste—unless it becomes time stolen from something more important.

Try this: Give yourself intentional time containers.

• 20 minutes to scroll

• 90 minutes to watch something

• 60 minutes to create

• 15 minutes to tidy

  
  

  When the timer goes off—pause. Ask: “Do I continue with intention, or do I shift to something that matters more?”

  
  

2. Protect “Sacred Moments”

Some moments should be off-limits to distractions. Non-negotiable. Untouched. Holy. Declare these sacred in your home:

✨ Dinner time

✨ Bedtime routines

✨ Morning coffee + quiet prayer

✨ Car rides with loved ones

✨ Meaningful conversations

Presence is a gift—and someone in your life needs it more than you know.

3. Do What Matters First

Instead of long to-do lists that overwhelm you before breakfast—wake up and choose three things that matter most. Not 15. Just three.✔ One task for your home✔ One task for your work or goals✔ One task for your soul

This alone builds trust with yourself—you begin finishing what you start.

4. Simplify Your Attention

Multitasking is a lie. It doesn’t make us faster—it makes us fractured. I am so sick of seeing companies over the years create job postings that say "must be able to multi-task". What? If you are a mom or dad you KNOW multi-tasking. But, multi-tasking doesn't mean a great job is done. A great job is when you can focus and give your FULL attention to one thing at a time and then move on to the next. That means you don't have half-cracked jobs done to simply get something accomplished. Do you want greatness? Or do you want mediocre everything? Anyway, that part of rant over. Try single-task living:

• When you clean—just clean.

• When you cook—just cook.

• When you rest—truly rest.

• When you pray—listen, don’t rush.

  
  

You will feel more peaceful, energized, and fulfilled. Not stressed out.

5. Bookend Your Day With Intention

The way we begin and end our day determines the tone of our life.

Morning prayer: “Lord, guide my time today. Don’t let me drift—help me choose what matters." Evening reflection: “Where did I feel love today? Where did I waste time? Tomorrow, I’ll do better—with grace.”

Time Is Love

People often say “Love is spelled T-I-M-E.” I think that’s true. When we give our time, we give ourselves. Our attention becomes devotion. Our presence becomes love.

So today, maybe you feel like life is flying by faster than you can hold onto. Maybe you carry guilt for wasting time. Maybe you're trying to balance work, family, creativity, and faith, and you feel like you're failing someone—sometimes yourself most of all.

I want you to hear this:

You’re not failing—you’re learning. You’re not behind—you’re becoming intentional. You still have time—because time is renewed in every moment you choose presence.

There is still time to grow.Time to connect.Time to build your dream.Time to heal.Time to love well.Time to live slow and meaningfully.

God isn’t asking you to do more—He’s asking you to be here.

Reflection Question

What is one area of your life where you want to be more present? Share it below—I’d love to encourage you.

A Prayer for Time and Presence

Heavenly Father,Thank You for the gift of today. Thank You for breath in my lungs, purpose in my heart, and people to love. I confess that I often let time slip away. I get distracted, overwhelmed, or caught up in things that do not truly matter. Help me, Lord, to use my time wisely—not with pressure, but with peace.

Teach me to slow down and be present. Remind me to give my full attention to the people in front of me and the purpose You’ve placed in my hands. Guard my heart from distraction and help me live with clarity, focus, and love. Show me how to balance what must be done with what truly matters.

Order my steps, soften my spirit, and guide my day. Let my time bring You glory. Let my choices reflect my faith. And when I fall short, remind me that Your grace allows me to begin again—one intentional moment at a time.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

XO, Marie