What Does NETTEL mean?
Adapted from Pixabay |
One
Saturday before Christmas I discovered an acronym I hadn't
encountered previously, NETTEL. I was having a cuppa in a cafe in the
main street and looking through the newspaper. I came across a
topical article, the tendency of many time poor parents to buy
extravagant Christmas presents to compensate for spending little time
with their children. These parents are examples of NETTELs, those
with Not Enough Time To Enjoy Life.
On
my return home I googled NETTEL . The Urban Dictionary provided a
definition. NETTEL refers to 'very busy couples and families' who usually have -
- their home in a capital city
- 'relatively expensive lifestyles'
- 'large mortgages'
- long working hours
- a long commute to their workplace
Although
the definition makes reference to couples and families, I think there
are single people who fall into the NETTEL category too.
The
acronym was coined by Bernard Salt, an Australian demographer, writer
and public speaker. He says this group is growing at the rate of 7%
per year.
There
is no denying an increasing number of people are spending long hours
at work these days. Work may be interesting and challenging for some
people but they don't have enjoyable social and creative activities
to provide life balance.
Some have many social commitments
but they may not be enjoying
these. Perhaps most of their social activities are work based and not
providing a proper break from their employment.
The pressure of too
many activities and always keeping an eye on the time may be
destroying the potential fun. Also, some people are always doing
something and don't put aside time for relaxing and doing nothing.
I imagine many NETTELs get into this lifestyle without
realising it is happening. Step by step their work hours increase.
Taking on a mortgage ties them to their job. Perhaps monthly
repayments increase. They buy more conveniences to save them time and
these cost money which means they need to earn more.
They may feel a
need to keep up with the Jones's. Perhaps they get a promotion.
Travel may be involved in their job and this means even more time
away from family.
Balance
is needed to maintain good health and get the most out of life.
Taking the time to enjoy life is a necessity rather than an
indulgence. It is important to 'take time to smell the roses'.
Children benefit from spending time with their parents and
parents gain a lot from listening to their children and 'hanging out'
as a family. The childhood years pass so quickly.
It's amazing what adults recall about their childhood and what memories are precious to them. Picnics, movies watched together, day trips, sleeping in the lounge room on hot summer nights (only room with air conditioning), cooking together, playing card games and such can all be part of those memories. Some of these activities cost nothing.
It's amazing what adults recall about their childhood and what memories are precious to them. Picnics, movies watched together, day trips, sleeping in the lounge room on hot summer nights (only room with air conditioning), cooking together, playing card games and such can all be part of those memories. Some of these activities cost nothing.
The benefits for parents include having a good relationship
with their children, reducing stress and a chance to recharge their
batteries.
What is the point of life if you don't make time to enjoy it?
What is the point of life if you don't make time to enjoy it?
This is a fine reminder to many. So many people have forgotten the real reason for living is not to get more 'stuff'. When we die, as they say, we can't take it with us, so why not make a thing of making more happy memories, even at the expense of more money ...
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