Your time is yours; don't let others take advantage of it.

I think many people suffer from this. There's always that friend or relative who thinks they have the right to use your time whenever you have free time (or so they call it).

In fact, I was talking to someone the other day, and she told me that a relative of hers had given birth and returned to work. When I asked who was taking care of the baby, she replied, "Her husband's sister, because she doesn't work outside the home."

This made me feel uncomfortable. She really believed this was what must happen. "If she is not working outside the home, she must help"; it is a must. Why? In her own words, she said, "She is at home doing nothing; she will help and take care of the baby". 

People around you always feel entitled to your time, even if you're not using it. They impose their tasks or obligations on you under the pretext of being busy with other things. They react to your refusal to give them your time with anger and resentment, describing you as selfish and unhelpful.

Let me tell you something... Your time is yours, and wanting to keep that time, even if it's just to watch TV or relax, doesn't make you a criminal or a bad person. Those around you need to understand that just as their time is valuable, so is yours, and that what you spend your time on is your own business.

Yes, people sometimes find themselves in urgent situations where they need your help, and this can cost you time. However, this shouldn't become a habit or an obligation, as if people build their lives around your time. I see this often in my circle of acquaintances—men and women who plan their entire lives around the time of others —their parents, relatives, and friends —under the pretext that they don't have enough time while others do.

There's a point that's often overlooked: people's choices shape their lives and their time. While some may choose early retirement, working from home, or not having children, others choose to work harder, have children, and strive for everything, even when time or resources are insufficient. They find that the solution to this dilemma lies in exploiting the time of those around them. It's one of the most infuriating things in our time.

This extends beyond the family and domestic services to the workplace. You find people trying to exploit your skills and time—time you've chosen not to use for various reasons, such as self-sufficiency—to get their work done or even to profit from you.

They genuinely believe you don't appreciate what you have and that they, with their supposed cleverness, will find a way to profit from you.

Meanwhile, a woman's work at home is seen as worthless. As long as she doesn't leave the house, her time there counts as free time that other family members can use.

This diminishes a person's value, whether within the family or at work. Accepting this doesn't make you a kind, selfless person; it makes you accept being less than others and vulnerable to exploitation. You don't have to structure your time to conform to others' desires. A woman shouldn't have to work outside the home if she doesn't want to, just to gain acceptance. A man shouldn't have to sacrifice his leisure time to work under the guise of extra income, boss acceptance, or helping out if he doesn't want to. We must learn to respect our time and demand this respect from others, even if it makes us seem selfish or mean in their eyes, because truth and what is right are not always accepted.

And I want to specifically mention women: don't let anyone belittle your work at home, and don't compare yourself to others. Life is about choices, and your choices won't always please everyone. Remember that your work is valuable, and its value isn't determined by money. Be strong and steadfast, and defend your right to choose and your right to your time, for both belong to you.