Language & Logic

The New York Times Student Opinion “What is your time personality?” explains how people relate to time in very different ways. Some see time as strict and structured, while others treat it as flexible and flowing. Thinking about this made me reflect on my own habits, and I realized I do not fit the “perfectly punctual” mold. Understanding time personality helps me make sense of my strengths, my challenges, and even my relationships.

One example of my time personality is how I treat moments with people. If I am talking with someone and the clock says it is late, I usually do not care. I value the moment over the schedule. People might see that as poor time management, but I see it as choosing connection instead. I would rather have one meaningful conversation than cut things short just to stay on a strict timeline. At the same time, my life is very structured because of swimming. I have a tight schedule with practices, workouts, and school responsibilities, which forces me to be organized even though I prefer a more flexible approach in other parts of my life.

This also explains why I sometimes clash with others. Friends who are very rigid about punctuality might see my flexible style as careless. I see them as overly strict. Realizing that these are just different time personalities helps me take it less personally. It is not about one of us being right or wrong, but about how differently we experience time.

Overall, I think time personality is a helpful way to understand myself and others, as long as it is not treated like a box. At school, I have to stick to schedules, especially because of swimming, but in my personal life I let myself be more spontaneous. I often lose track of time when I am reading books like Iron Widow or The Nightingblood Prince, which also connect me to my cultural identity. To me, balance is the key. Sometimes the clock matters, and sometimes what matters most is how I choose to spend my time.

Which time personality do you think you have — structured, flexible, or a mix?

About Pearl

Pearl Z. is a Grade 7 student who loves reading, swimming, and solving puzzles. She started the Language & Logic forum to connect literature, current issues, and creative problem-solving, and to give students a space to share their voices.