I have a fair amount of time available to me. I’m childfree. I don’t have family that lives nearby. My commute is 10 minutes roundtrip driving, or 40 minutes walking roundtrip. I work a 40 hour week. Sometimes I have longer days or weeks, especially due to travel, but I also get a fair amount of holidays, personal days, vacation days. I keep the house simple and tidy, and while I keep it uncluttered I’m not a big cleaner. I have five bills to pay a month, and I like to shop no more than once a month. No dry cleaning, no manicures…not a lot of errands. I have time.
I’m grateful for the time, because I’m not stressed out. Because I can putter around and drink tea and read. I like it because I don’t need time saving gadgets, and because I don’t ever need to spend money to buy time: I can do it the long way, cook whatever I want from scratch, wash the dishes in a wash tub, use actual dishes. I always have time for a bath or a book; I’m not deprived of me time. I’m not going out to lunch or coffee and spending money; I’m not spending much on fuel, I. Many people I know seem to complain about the lack of time; some of them sound perfectly happy, but to me they sound uncomfortably busy. (Some parents seem to spend an awful lot of time on child related things, fun or obligation. ).
I should be 100% grateful that my life is not crammed full. What can throw me off is that sometimes I do wish I had more structure, or obligations. Not necessarily chores, but I can be a mighty hermit, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for me to have a monthly book club, or museum trip, or hiking trip. I have all this beautiful time, and I don’t always use it as well as I’d like. Even in a perfect world I’d still want plenty of “nothing going on but my slippers” time; take away my baths and I’d be much less mellow.
Boy, sometimes I really have to mull things over before I can articulate what it is I want, and even then it’s still a process to work towards it. So now that I’ve put some of my antsiness in words, I know what a goal is: time management. Not the time management of people trying to do it all, or balance work, romance, kids, hobbies, housekeeping, and gardening. I’m just looking to feel more like I’m taking a bite out of life.
So what’s a concrete step I can take? I’m not good at telling myself broad things, like “be healthy.” I need concrete, like drink a lot of water and walk to work three times a week. The concrete step might not be the final answer, but it will take me there. I’ll further mull. I’m thinking along the lines of: host one game night this month, make social plans one day this month, and make a commitment to see a site once this month (could be a gallery or a hiking trail-but drive or walk to a place for fun).
This may not have been about finances. But I think of it this way: by being debt free and living simply, my biggest problem is needing to have more fun.
(And to be less chubby.)
Time on my mind, on my hands
November 8th, 2006 at 04:29 am
November 8th, 2006 at 05:15 am 1162962933
November 8th, 2006 at 02:30 pm 1162996240
this may not be something that would work with your challenge, but 2007 is right around the corner: what about signing up for a class at your local Y? getting out of the house, meeting people, and getting some exercise all at once?
November 8th, 2006 at 07:05 pm 1163012706
November 8th, 2006 at 09:13 pm 1163020414
Being single, i feel fortunate that i have much more free time than many people i know, and, like you, i sometimes feel i'm not making the most productive use of it. I do cherish my free time and the freedom i feel to read a book, watch a video or just 'relax,' though i live in an old house with a lot of land so that does consume a lot of energy to maintain.
I tend to be a homebody and really need to push myself to get out and socialize more. I think the book club is an excellent idea; i am reading now for our book club's meeting next week. It's nice, becus if you don't much feel like talking, you can just listen in on the discussion and still feel involved, or you can participate as much as you want.
Getting out for a daily walk is also a great way to energize oneself.
November 9th, 2006 at 12:43 am 1163033008
I can agree with you 300% about being a "mighty hermit." I crave my "alone time." I've gone entire days when I literally do not speak to anybody. Not sure why this is, either, because I like meeting new people and interacting with friends. I sort of feel I need incentive or at least someone to push me out the door first, to get me to do social things. Anyway, regarding your time issues; I think you're on the right path. A book club is a fabulous idea that I've been trying to get myself to coordinate as well. Exercise is also highly recommended, and it looks like you enjoy walking, so I encourage you to continue! Maybe form a walking club? Since you work, then your coworkers could be your best pool of recruits. I know if I lived closer to you, I'd definitely be in!
November 14th, 2006 at 03:14 am 1163474088