The Time Scarcity Excuse

“I don’t have time” is rarely about time—it’s about priority and planning. Research by Vanderkam on how we spend time shows most people discover hours of discretionary time they don’t notice. You have time for things that matter: scrolling, streaming, snoozing. The drive-through line and takeout ordering take time too. Healthy eating requires maybe 3-4 hours weekly—less than daily social media.

This companion covers testing the excuse, what eating well requires, hidden time costs of poor eating, the priority question, and practical solutions. (5 min read)

One thought like this, every morning.

You don’t need more information about eating. You need the right idea to show up at the right time — before hunger, before decisions, before habits kick in.

Every morning, 365 Changes sends you one. Not a meal plan. Not a rule. Just a question or idea to sit with while you make coffee. Each one is simple, but they accumulate — and slowly, the way you think about eating starts to shift.

Get the daily prompt — it’s free:


Learn more about the daily prompt.


There’s more to read here — a companion essay that goes deeper into this topic. It might explore why willpower fades by evening, how your kitchen layout shapes what you eat, or what it really means to become someone who simply eats well. Each one takes a few minutes and leaves you thinking.

There are 500 of them across five areas — identity, environment, knowledge, decisions, and troubleshooting — and a Reader membership unlocks them all.

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