(18, WA, USA) Anonymous - My Way Of Thinking

I envision myself as more of a monochronic person rather than a polychronic person. Monochronic behavior entails sticking to a set schedule and completing tasks one by one, whereas polychronic behavior involves going with the flow and handling multiple tasks simultaneously. I struggle to imagine myself freely altering schedules and juggling multiple tasks at once. Instead, I tend to overthink everything, preferring to adhere to the original plan and complete tasks one at a time before moving on to the next.

An example of this tendency is evident when I go on vacations with my family. From the moment we get in the car to drive to the airport, my mind is already racing with numerous "what-if" scenarios, and I'm constantly strategizing how to address them if they were to occur. Despite being told that this extra stress is detrimental, I have yet to learn how to alleviate it. While my dad shares my preference for a strict schedule, my sister and my mom enjoy taking their time and embracing whatever experiences come their way. They also have a penchant for shopping, which often necessitates adjustments to our plans to accommodate their leisurely pace. When such deviations occur, my mind goes into overdrive as I strive to ensure that everything continues to run smoothly, even if we fall behind schedule. In contrast, my sister navigates the same events with a sense of leisure and comfort.

Similar to how some cultures prioritize monochronic behavior over polychronic behavior, I believe my mindset aligns with Japanese culture. Japanese people are known for their strict adherence to time, as wasting another person's time is considered taboo in their society.