Time is energy.

Often when I tell others that I don’t have time for something, what I really mean is that I don’t have the energy. Although it seems that an extra five hours in the day would solve all my troubles, it honestly wouldn’t. I would still use those extra hours expending energy on petty tasks that don’t reap the same mental rewards as spending time with a good friend.

I tend to invest a tremendous amount of time in the details. Details I know I could forfeit and no one would ever know but me. Cue the montage of nights spent whipping up last-minute baked goods for the next day’s birthday party… and spending more time perfecting the icing and packaging than it should ever take anyone.

It would be better if I could make my to-do lists in order of importance, putting family and friends at the top of that list. Is it really critical to the upcoming week that I have the mats of my car vacuumed? No, it is not.

Next time you’re considering canceling that night out with girlfriends, why not skip spinning class and save the energy for those who make it all worth it?

Haylee Smoot is a social worker currently pursuing an MSW at the University of Kentucky. She is a Kentucky Proud foodie and passionate about her heritage, her pug Dodi, and helping others.