Time blindness: what it is, what effects it has and how to identify it

A time blindness it's basically the chronic inability to keep up with the passage of time. People affected by this condition may be judged as disinterested, lazy or irresponsible.

It is associated with disorders such as ADHD, autism, mood disorders, traumatic brain injury and even bereavement.

Have you ever heard of this problem? If not, keep reading to understand it better!

How to identify temporal blindness?

To identify if you have time blindness, look out for these signs:

• Do you often arrive late for appointments or even arrive too early to avoid them?
• Do you underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks you do regularly?
• Do you miss deadlines, bill payments or appointments due to lack of time?
• Do you have the feeling that time is always slipping through your fingers?

If the answer is yes to most of these questions, it is possible that you are affected by time blindness.

The impacts of this evil

Jaclyn Paul, who has time blindness, explains the impact this condition has on relationships.

“Time management is closely linked to love and respect. Let's say I promise to meet you at a restaurant for dinner at 6 pm, but I'm half an hour late. How do you feel, having made excuses to the waiter and finally ordering a glass of wine alone at a table for two?”, she asks.

Temporary blindness can have a devastating impact on a person's education, career and personal life.

For example, punctuality is expected in most schools and workplaces, and according to research by Airtasker, 15% of layoffs are a result of employee tardiness.

overcoming the problem

Fortunately, there are strategies for overcoming time blindness. One is to use a clock, preferably an analog one, which allows you to see the passage of time more clearly than a digital clock. Avoiding distractions and engaging activities is also key to not losing track of time.

Setting reminders and using timers helps you track time spent on tasks and optimize the time. Recording the time needed to perform everyday activities helps create more realistic schedules in the future. In addition, it is important to reserve extra time in your schedule for unforeseen events and moments of rest.

Recognizing the condition, using techniques such as using a clock, avoiding distractions, and setting reminders are important steps in improving time management and relationships.

With a little effort and organization, it is possible to live a more productive and punctual life, getting rid of this type of blindness.