--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Free time was the most precious time…" description: "\"“Free time was the most precious time, when you should be doing what you loved, or at least slowing down enough to remember what made your life worthwh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg" --- # Free time was the most precious time, when you should be… ![“Free time was the most precious time, when you should be doing what you loved, or at least slowing down enough to remember what made your life worthwhile and happy.” quote by Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg) > ““Free time was the most precious time, when you should be doing what you loved, or at least slowing down enough to remember what made your life worthwhile and happy.”” [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Precious free time should be used for passions or mindful pauses that remind us of life's joy. **In simple terms:** Use free time for joy and reflection. Key Takeaway Prioritize activities that bring happiness. Themes time mindfulness purpose Mood thoughtful inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - vacation planning - daily routines - creative hobbies Key Concepts self‑care life balance personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What activities truly recharge you? - How can you schedule regular pauses? A Different Perspective Free time can be wasted without intention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doing what you love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-what-you-love/) [Free time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-time/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I don't get a lot of time with my children. My time is precious, and time with my two kids is like gold dust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-howard/i-don-t-get-a-lot-of-time-with-my-children-my-time-is-precious-and/) [Tim Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-howard/) > [My time is precious. Be on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarion/my-time-is-precious-be-on-time/) [Omarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarion/) > [Time is the most precious element of human existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/time-is-the-most-precious-element-of-human-existence/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/time-isn-t-precious-at-all-because-it-is-an-illusion-what-you/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/time-is-precious-but-truth-is-more-precious-than-time/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Time is precious, Time is precise, Time is powerful, Time can make us, Time can break us, Time never stops, Time never wait, Time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/time-is-precious-time-is-precise-time-is-powerful-time-can-make-us/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [The only life that's worthwhile(be it long and short)is the one spent in service for the Lord and in bringing blessing to others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-life-that-s-worthwhile-be-it-long-and-short-is-the-one-spent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The best way to think better in mind is to have good feelings in heart and make life worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj-somany/the-best-way-to-think-better-in-mind-is-to-have-good-feelings-in/) [Anuj Somany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj-somany/) > [You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-can-never-solve-a-problem-on-the-level-on-which-it-was-created/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile. Prescription: Get yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/people-who-say-that-life-is-not-worthwhile-are-really-saying-that/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [Love is a wonderful thing. It makes life worthwhile. I love being in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/love-is-a-wonderful-thing-it-makes-life-worthwhile-i-love-being-in/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [U are the reason for my smile. The one who makes my life worthwhile. I wonder what would I be doing without having you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/u-are-the-reason-for-my-smile-the-one-who-makes-my-life-worthwhile-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Danger is the spice of life and you’ve got to take a risk now and then…that’s what makes life worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/danger-is-the-spice-of-life-and-you-ve-got-to-take-a-risk-now-and/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-found-that-nothing-in-life-is-worthwhile-unless-you-take-risks/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [“Enjoy small moments as they come. At the end, That's what makes life worthwhile...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadun-lokuliyanage/enjoy-small-moments-as-they-come-at-the-end-that-s-what-makes-life/) Nadun Lokuliyanage ## More by Amy Tan > [So sad! This is the saddest part when you lose someone you love- that person keeps changing. And later you wonder, Is this the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/so-sad-this-is-the-saddest-part-when-you-lose-someone-you-love-that/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Too many good things all seem the same after a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/too-many-good-things-all-seem-the-same-after-a-while/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“bad, how likely is it to come”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/bad-how-likely-is-it-to-come/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Shanghainese people are good negotiators, they're very persistent, and you grow up in an atmosphere like that - very competitive. That becomes part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/shanghainese-people-are-good-negotiators-they-re-very-persistent-and/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [But now that I am old, moving every year closer to the end of my life, I also feel closer to the beginning. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/but-now-that-i-am-old-moving-every-year-closer-to-the-end-of-my-life/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [You should think about your character. Know where you are changing, how you will be changed, what cannot be changed back again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/you-should-think-about-your-character-know-where-you-are-changing-how/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Now you see,' said the turtle, drifting back into the pond, 'why it is useless to cry. Your tears do not wash away your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/now-you-see-said-the-turtle-drifting-back-into-the-pond-why-it-is/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I hid my deepest feelings so well I forgot where I placed them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-hid-my-deepest-feelings-so-well-i-forgot-where-i-placed-them/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“Lebih baik jadi orang yang TIDAK TERLUPAKAN daripada orang yang MEMBOSANKAN -”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/lebih-baik-jadi-orang-yang-tidak-terlupakan-daripada-orang-yang/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [After all, Bao Bomu says, what is the past but what we choose to remember?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/after-all-bao-bomu-says-what-is-the-past-but-what-we-choose-to/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [We all become different readers in how we respond to books, why we need them, what we take from them. We become different in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/we-all-become-different-readers-in-how-we-respond-to-books-why-we/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I was no longer scared. I could see what was inside me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-was-no-longer-scared-i-could-see-what-was-inside-me/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [When I go back and read my journals or fiction, I am always surprised. I may not remember having those thoughts, but they still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/when-i-go-back-and-read-my-journals-or-fiction-i-am-always-surprised/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [“I am ashamed she is ashamed. Because she is my daughter and I am proud of her, and I am her mother but she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/i-am-ashamed-she-is-ashamed-because-she-is-my-daughter-and-i-am-proud/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) [Explore all 383 Amy Tan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## More Doing what you love quotes > [If you follow your passion, you'll never work a day in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/if-you-follow-your-passion-you-ll-never-work-a-day-in-your-life/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) > [I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-collins/i-think-people-who-are-creative-are-the-luckiest-people-on-earth-i/) [Judy Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-collins/) > [I do not see myself as talented. I just sweat it off, doing what you love is the key to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/i-do-not-see-myself-as-talented-i-just-sweat-it-off-doing-what-you/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [So much of what happened to me is good fortune. But I would say: Try to get a job that gives you some time;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/so-much-of-what-happened-to-me-is-good-fortune-but-i-would-say-try-to/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) > [Keep doing what you love to the best of your ability. Stop judging and get out of your own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/keep-doing-what-you-love-to-the-best-of-your-ability-stop-judging-and/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [There's always going to be someone out there... who doesn't believe in you or who thinks your head is too big or you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/there-s-always-going-to-be-someone-out-there-who-doesn-t-believe-in/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [It's not just a question of doing what you love for a living. It's about doing what you love with love. Then your life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-ogunlaru/it-s-not-just-a-question-of-doing-what-you-love-for-a-living-it-s/) [Rasheed Ogunlaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-ogunlaru/) > [I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which, was that you can fail at what you don't want so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/i-learned-many-great-lessons-from-my-father-not-the-least-of-which/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [“Purge everything that's holding you back. Whatever it is you feel you are being deprived of, trust the limitation serves to bring you more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lynn-payne/purge-everything-that-s-holding-you-back-whatever-it-is-you-feel-you/) [Holly Lynn Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lynn-payne/) > [Always Try To Look At All Things In A Positive Way. All The Criticism, Take As A Motivation To Work Harder To Be A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/always-try-to-look-at-all-things-in-a-positive-way-all-the-criticism/) Pacifiersucker > [As long you are doing what you love and making decisions from the heart, you will be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-bleiler/as-long-you-are-doing-what-you-love-and-making-decisions-from-the/) [Gretchen Bleiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-bleiler/) > [“Don't care about success or failure. Keep doing what you love. Success will follow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/udai-yadla/don-t-care-about-success-or-failure-keep-doing-what-you-love-success/) [Udai Yadla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/udai-yadla/) > [If your not doing what you love, then your wasting your time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jc-caylen/if-your-not-doing-what-you-love-then-your-wasting-your-time/) [Jc Caylen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jc-caylen/) > [The secret to happiness is doing what you love and the secret to success is loving what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanny-angel/the-secret-to-happiness-is-doing-what-you-love-and-the-secret-to/) [Vanny Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanny-angel/) > [I know how important it is to have role models and people that you see doing what you love because it helps to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsey-plum/i-know-how-important-it-is-to-have-role-models-and-people-that-you/) [Kelsey Plum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsey-plum/) [Browse all 173 Doing what you love quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-what-you-love/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Free time was the most precious time, when you should be doing what you loved, or at least slowing down enough to remember what made your life worthwhile and happy.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy Tan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-when-you-should-be-doing-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doing what you love" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-when-you-should-be-doing-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/amy-tan-730_doing-what-you-love_free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-whe_2206856.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Free time was the most precious time, when you should be doing what you loved, or at least slowing down…” — Amy Tan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amy Tan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Free time was the most precious...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-when-you-should-be-doing-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-when-you-should-be-doing-what/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```