Matt Damon reflects on life after 50 'Time is the most precious commodity'
The Oscar-winning actor says entering his 50s transformed the way he views life, with family, meaningful work
Matt Damon is embracing a new chapter in life, revealing that reaching his 50s has reshaped how he chooses to spend his time.
The 55-year-old actor, who currently stars in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, reflected on his evolving outlook in a new interview with People, saying he now views time as his most valuable asset.
"You get on the other side of 50, and at least for me, I really started feeling like time is the most precious commodity there is," Damon shared.
"I just want to be intentional with what I do with it and make sure that I'm spending it exactly where I want to spend it."
The Oscar winner said his focus now revolves around three priorities: his family, his work and Water.org, the nonprofit organisation he co-founded in 2009 to improve access to safe drinking water for communities living in poverty.
On the family front, Damon admitted he is adjusting to a new phase of life as he and his wife Luciana prepare for their younger daughters to eventually leave home.
The couple, who married in 2005, share daughters Isabella, Gia and Stella, while Damon is also stepfather to Luciana's eldest daughter, Alexia.
"Having two older kids who are out of the nest and knowing how fast these final years go, we're trying to be mindful of holding onto what we can," he said.
Professionally, Damon said he remains committed to expanding Artist's Equity, the production company he launched with longtime friend and collaborator Ben Affleck.
"Our goal is to make the kind of movies that we started the company so that we could make," he explained.
Looking back on his career, Damon said he no longer feels driven to constantly chase success.
"That's a very full life," he said. "I feel like I've calmed down a little bit and I'm not chasing something. I just want to do work that I think is really stellar on my own terms and on things that I really believe in."
The actor also reflected on lessons that mirror those explored in The Odyssey, in which he portrays the legendary Greek hero Odysseus.
"I just try to think about what I can control and what I can't, instead of railing against the gods about things that I can't control," Damon said.
He added that life's inevitable hardships have taught him the importance of acceptance.
"You live long enough and things happen and tragedy comes and visits you no matter who you are," he said. "You have to just accept what happens."