The poignant question, "人生有幾多個十年？" (How many decades do we have in a lifetime?), is more than a rhetorical sigh about time's passage.
It is an urgent call to action, a reminder that our most precious resource is finite and irreplaceable. It forces us to move from passive existence to active design. So, how should we arrange our lives well?
The answer lies not in a rigid, universal formula, but in intentional living.
Audit Your Time
We often know how we spend our money, but are clueless about how we spend our days—the very currency of life. Track your time for a week. How much is spent on things that drain you versus things that fulfill you? This clarity is the foundation for change.
Invest In Experiences
Second, invest in experiences, not just assets. A rich life is measured in memories, not just material wealth. Allocate your decades towards learning, travel, connection, and even calculated risks. These are the investments that compound in joy and wisdom, not just in financial returns.
Balance The Trilogy of Life
Imagine your life is built on three pillars:
- Stability (career, finances, health),
- Connection (family, friends, community), and
- Passion (hobbies, growth, purpose).
Neglecting any one pillar makes the structure weak. A well-arranged life constantly adjusts to maintain strength in all three.
Embrace Seasonality
Not every decade is for the same thing. Your 20s and 30s might be for building stability and taking chances. Your 40s and 50s might be for deepening expertise and nurturing relationships. Your 60s and beyond can be for sharing wisdom and enjoying freedom. Honor the season you are in, and plan for the next.
Ultimately, to arrange your life well is to live with fewer regrets. It means having the courage to quit the path that isn't yours, to cherish the people who matter, and to spend your decades—however many you get—on what truly makes your heart feel alive. Don't just count the decades; make your decades count.