"Back then, I didn't have a big organization around me. I was just a kid with a guitar, traveling around. My responsibility basically was to the art, and I had extra time on my hands. There is no extra time now. There isn't enough time"

In this quote, Joni Mitchell assesses the development of her life and profession, highlighting the remarkable shift from her early days as a young artist to her later years as a more recognized figure. The nostalgia for a simpler time is evident in her words. Initially, she explains herself as "simply a kid with a guitar", stressing her younger innocence and the unencumbered liberty she experienced. This stage of her life was marked by minimal obligations, enabling her to focus entirely on her art. Her primary concern was to cultivate her imagination and establish her musical skills without the diversions that typically accompany success.

Mitchell contrasts this with her present situation, where she regrets the lack of "extra time". The phrase underscores the needs of her expert life as it progressed, where administrative jobs and the management of a "huge company" now take precedence. This shift symbolizes a shift from personal freedom to the responsibilities that feature popularity and an effective career. The responsibilities that come with handling a big operation take a substantial part of her time, which used to be committed to her art.

Additionally, the quote reviews the universal theme of time and its fleeting nature. As individuals grow older and settle into careers and family life, the free time as soon as offered frequently dwindles. For Mitchell, this means less time for the imaginative endeavors that at first drove her enthusiasm.

In essence, her reflection records a common experience for numerous people-- particularly artists-- who must browse the balance between their creative pursuits and the practical demands of their expert development. It acts as a poignant suggestion of how success can improve concerns and how the passage of time can modify one's focus and duties. Mitchell's words communicate a yearning for the past while acknowledging the inevitability of change and the ruthless passage of time.