It seems like only yesterday that I was frantically racing around trying to find Christmas presents for friends and family.

Then, before I knew it, Australia Day, Easter and Anzac Day.

Pretty soon I'll turn 24 and then were back to Christmas again.

Last week, a friend of mine told me that the years seem to get quicker because our lives are so fast paced and we are cramming more into each day than ever before. The more I thought about it, I realised how spot on this comment was.

Unlike the generations before us, we live in an age of technology where almost anything we want is available to us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Shops are open around the clock, businesses have people working graveyard shifts to get more done and make more money.

Dont get me wrong - I'm a big fan of working hard and making money, but are we all working so hard and trying to fit so much in that we arent taking time to stop

and smell the roses?

I decided to list everything that I cram into each day of the week.

I juggle work, the gym, teaching swimming, tutoring English and trying to catch up with friends and family.

I think its sad that the price of living has gone up so much that the days of living comfortably on a single wage are gone.

And it doesnt matter where you live people residing in country towns like Picton, Tahmoor or Bargo are also cramming more and more into each day.

The only difference is that lots of these people have to add hours of travel time to get in and out of the city to work.

What will happen if I miss that bus, forget to pay that bill, or spend too much money on big houses, changing trends and rising grocery prices?

It's got to the point where some of us feel that we need to keep up with the rest of the world or it will fall from underneath us.

But is this the case?

Maybe its as simple as choosing our priorities carefully?

I know Id much rather live in a small cottage with the person I love than in a mansion with someone I never see.