What to do with free time

I remember that I loved reading or spending hours per day on hobby programming projects when I still was in school, but now I am in university and it uses most of my mental capacity. I am left with 6 or 7 hours every day where I don't really know what to do, I am too tired for anything mentally challenging, like studying (which I got done in the other part of the day already), programming, reading non fiction that is hard to comprehend sometimes (which is basically all the interesting nonfic), and so on. I enjoy cooking and have recently spent a lot of time doing it, but I still have time left. I work out daily, still time left. I try meeting with friends more often or call relatives, but I don't enjoy social contacts that much that I want to meet people for hours every day. So I resort to imageboards. Which I don't really like, because I don't think it is good for my mental health or anything else, it is just short term dopamine hits with some occasional interesting information sprinkled into it. It may be better with lainchan compared to most others, but scanning the catalog for interesting posts and eventually replying to them takes only a couple of minutes per day, given the speed of the board. I do this with a bunch of other boards as well, they are all slow and most of them I don't even like that much, I just go there to waste time. I used to watch cool youtube videos as well but I don't like any of the stuff I see right now, there's maybe 5 channels I enjoy and I check those about once per week to see if they uploaded anything new, usually they haven't though because they produce longer videos that are only released every couple of months. How do you spend your time? What do you do if you can't focus anymore and still want to feel productive or at least do something fun? I would like to get out of this habit of being passive consuming content for such a large portion of my day, but I just can't think of anything else. Maybe I should just start reading easy fiction, or walk even more outside (I already do this a lot), but I would be happy about any other suggestions. Also, if you have good methods to keep your mind more crisp during the day, after working for some time, please tell me. It would improve my life tremendously, I have tried caffeine+l-theanine pills which are pretty good but I don't take them daily to not become dependent on caffeine, and when I'm really tired they don't work either, I tried power napping with little success, I sleep enough during the nights, but I still lack clarity during a lot of my awake time. pic related is obviously not mine and I am happy about that. I wouldn't want to track my time for weeks either, just to realize "damn, my days are soykaf"

>>29764 Try some craft like woodwork or metalwork. It shouldn't be a mental strain, but still a useful skill to practice. If you prefer something lighter then maybe try sewing, knitting, etc.? Time is better spent on creation than on consumption. If you're into reading then maybe try writing. If you're into music, pick up some music instrument or try music production. If you're into photography, go out on a walk and take a bunch of pictures (you can use an analog camera and go through the whole process of developing a picture). If you're into movies then learn video editing and so on. You can apply that approach to almost anything. Notice that "learning" I mention is not very much like schoolwork learning, but rather it's about practicing a certain skill by expending time on uncomplicated yet engaging tasks. I'd still recommend trying woodwork, I hear it's quite fulfilling and relaxing.

I do a couple of things >Work 40 hours per week >University degree part time after work, about 10-15 hours per week >Swimming 2-3 times a week for an hour per session >Lifting 3 times per week >Run 4 times per week >Cook a lot >Hike a few times a month Upping the exercise you do is a pretty easy win as you always see benefits from it, lifting especially has given me tons more energy which in turn has enabled me to study better after work and enjoy reading more, if you don't lift I would start, its crazy how quick noob gains are and you start to look and feel better from it pretty quickly. Apart from that I think finding some low effort but really enjoyable activities that aren't sitting on imageboards is a good idea, you don't meet to be doing the most productive thing possible always, just more productive than nothing. I like exploring new music while doing chores or going for walks for example, so I just pick something and get going, its very good for me but doesn't take much energy. Also building a website can be pretty nice, basic HTML isn't very hard and you can just write whatever you like per day and slowly chip away at it.

>"free" time I am never free, just different types of overseers and barbed wire is substituted with different soykaf but its all just one big fuarrrking prison

>>29766 >Cook a lot Kind of related, but do you plan your meals in advance or cook extra for the next day? My routine otherwise is mostly the same. studying in a college, (about +40 hours spent at school) 10~15 hours at work. Rest of my time is spent socializing or browsing the internet. Passively collection knowledge here and there. I should incorporate a more rigorous exercise routine. I mostly do stretches and lil walks in between hours. I should dedicate some time to exercise.

>>29768 I plan most of my meals, all of my lunches and breakfasts on the day I take it and my evening meals for the days I'm doing two excercise sessions (one at 0630 before work, one at 2000 after work and study) Most of that is prepped stuff done on Sundays, the rest is stuff that's made extra while I'm cooking during the week, I Cook a lot for my family so if I'm not eating at home I just take my portion with me.

>>29765 >craft Yes, I did some woodcarving, sometimes for many hours per day, during summer, but when it turned cold I couldn't sit outside that long and whittling inside gives you little woodchips in ever corner of your room. Other than that, it was a comfy hobby and I think I will pick it up again in spring. As for other woodworking and metalworking, I live in a tiny flat and don't have room for any of that. I'll try to think about what other kinds of creative work I could do. But I still don't feel so good about doing something like that for long amounts of time, I don't see where this would ever become useful. It is simply a way to spend time instead of feeling bored, but I don't think it is any more than that unfortunately. >>29766 >lifting Yes I do this already. >exploring new music do that as well >while doing... Here I have a different opinion, I like not listening to anything while doing something else, I need some time to let my mind wander and going for a walk or doing chores is perfect for that. I will never understand why people turn on music or podcasts during literally anything. >building a website Very good idea, I think I will do this. Just need to find a topic for it. But I could combine this with writing, would be a fun project to create and maintain a blog. The only downside I see is that is sitting in front of a screen, which I already do a lot, but I think I am still spending more time away from it than most of my peers so whatever. >>29767 What exactly are you speaking of, besides work? And even there you are free, nobody forces you to not quit, you could run away today and nobody will stop you. Very different from a prison. >>29768 I usually cook a big pot full of something and then eat 2-3 days from it. Get a microwave if you want to heat up stuff you made in advance.

I hate lifting weights, I don't understand why people recommend it all the time. It feels like useless effort. At least when I walk or ride my bike places I'm getting somewhere.

>>29770 >he thinks I am talking about work

>>29777 No, read my post again. I was asking you what you actually do talk about. Because if your life is anything like mine, there is little similairty to a prison

>>29778 So you love your prison? you must have decorated the interior nicely?

>>29764 Consider that you might be depressed, lain. It happens to a lot of people in uni. When it comes to staying sharp, I don't think I've seen meditation mentioned here. That helps me out.

>>29780 No, read my post again. I was saying my life has little similarity to a prison. Not that I like it or anything like that. >>29781 I feel pretty okay most of the time, but yes, I think it is easy to get depressed as a student. Many don't even go outside all day, it's not a surprise this can't be good for your mental health. Humans are just not made for doing intellectual work all day. Meditation is a great idea, I used to do it for a couple of weeks but stopped, I think it is time to get into the habit again.

>>29782 it's so pretty that you can't even see the cell you're in? wow that must be nice

>>29783 Do you understand that I do not consider something to be a prison cell if I'm free to leave at any time?

i usually just do stuff like study play games eat sleep (sometimes) talk to someone, so i dont feel lonely read i do lots of things, in a week, not a day haha

>>29787 But you won't. Ever. You love the prison you made for yourself. Even if you don't see it as such, even if you can't envision the prison you're in. Like those people that say they hate New York and how they want to move out but never do. But at least they see the prison they're in and despise it. If that meams anything.

>>29789 I agree that sometimes people act in a way that differs from what they actually want, but that is not a prison. A prison is external forces keeping you in a contained state you can not break out of, not doing what you truly wish you would do is just yourself being lazy. I'm not too familiar with your example, but I'd guess that these people could move out of New York, but they don't because it would mean lots of effort to find a new home, buy it, move, find new job, new friends, ..., which seems like a bigger problem compared to living in New York. If you are saying that the work required to do something resembles the walls of a prison, then you might be right, but I'd think that this is a very weird analogy, as it would include the fact that you can climb over prison walls to get out of it.

>>29790 How about cultural, societal, politican and economic effects on your mobility within the system? Would you call that "freedom"? Or just another invisible form of control of external forces? I am not saying we should legalize necrophilia, but seriously, it ain't hurtin no-one

>>29791 >>29790 But even if you were in complete control of your mobility within the system and didn't care about rules and regulations of the system you're living in, you're still not free. Your time is not "free" but borrowed either from yourself or from someone else.

>>29790 >>29787 You're always free to leave prison. Just climb over the walls and avoid being shot at. Simple as

Anyone here successfully replaced video games? I'm going to give it a go for 90 days, I don't play much anymore but I'm full of indecision about selling my gaming PC

>>29764 >How do you spend your time? I masturbate a lot

>>29821 Do a reality check first if you dont need the hardware for other projects. Personally i never bought better pc for gaming but drawing&programming. IF you really end up like granpa you can use a laptop simply cause it eats less energy so money saved on electric bill. Otherwise there is no reason imo.

>>29823 Gaming is the only stressful thing I do with my computer, I don't need a big machine for anything else. I was thinking about selling my main pc more because its getting pretty old and this is probably the only time I'm going to get good money for it, and I want to replace my laptop and could use the money for that. I'm just super indecisive about whether or not I'll regret it like a week later.

>>29824 Makes sense for selling then, i dont see why you would replace your laptop though if you already decide you wont do anything hardware intense on your system. If your laptop is really old it has also some special value compared to newer systems based on old bios support that is lacking on newer systems. So i would keep laptop regardless.

>>29825 Its keyboard is all fuarrrked up but when I replace the keyboard the trackpoint and touchpad stop working and the backlight bleed on it is crazy because I dropped a tin of beans on the closed lid from 2m a few years ago But what if I sell it then suddenly want to play tons of games? My brain is fuarrrked

OP's post reminded me of this old video. In my opinion, it's worth a watch. Better Use Of Leisure Time (1950s) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH_gncP_5vc

>>29768 For me, I don't like planning my meals more than a couple hours ahead unless it's on occasion. It usually just boils down to whatever I find to look good at the market that day, and toss a bit of creativity in so you aren't eating the same every day But meal planning is a good idea if you have a tight schedule, especially if you want to adhere to a specific diet >>29775 it varies for some people, lifting weight has always felt like a great relief of stress for me, just overall cathartic, but long bikes are nice as well

kundalini yoga. you get high without drugs.

>>29764 Try increasing your stamina, OP. When you're tired from work and think you can't do any more focused work, try to do 15 minutes of extra focused work. Then, when that's comfortable, go for half an hour. Then when you're comfortable again, expand further. Do you think you could increase your stamina, OP?

>>29775 It gives me tons of energy for some reason, I just feel really good after lifting weights, I enjoy cardio too, but weight lifting is a really big instant mood boost for me. Also I like how I look when I'm lifting regularly a lot more than I do when not, even though I'm not very muscular yet, its definitely noticeable and it feels good.

>>29846 I just re-racked a loaded barbell onto my little finger while squatting and got blood everywhere, I guess it only gives me energy when I don't tell anyone else about it.

>>29843 Better be careful with that, you dont want a sudden kundalini crisis. God forbid you get a sudden traumatic past life flashback while driving to the store for smokes.

>>29764 fuarrrk man, are you me? I feel so trapped in my tiny apartment, longing for anything to do that doesn't involve a screen. I want to go places and do stuff, but i can never think of anything that sounds good. I guess it doesn't help that i have no friends outside of work.

>>29878 Join a gym and sign up for some kind of class, I do a swimming thing twice a week and circuits twice a week and its been a really good way to stop being so much of a loner. I haven't figured out how to branch it off into friends outside it yet but I'm talking to people a lot in them and getting more comfortable with people. I play DND at a group once a week as well and that's fun though most of the people that go are further gone than me.

I want to sell my gaming pc because gaming is a massive waste of time and I don't even do it that much anymore but I keep getting FOMO. I haven't read a book that wasn't work or study related in like 9 months and want to get back into it, I feel like gaming is one of the lowest ROI activities imaginable but I'm struggling to completely break the chain. Thoughts?

I waste most of my time, but not all of it. Sometimes, unfortunately, I just spend most of the day reading articles and arguing online. Other days, I read through more of my books or program a little. It's also good to exercise and clean my room a little, whenever I remember. It doesn't take much to do great things.

> What to do with free time Cardio.

>>30023 why sell the the PC? (unless you really need the money) The PC isn't the source of the problem, gaming is. Try deleting your games first. >i feel like gaming is one of the lowest ROI activities imaginable It's definitely pretty low, but i can imagine worse. Watching TV/movies for instance, may be marginally worse. You're right though, plenty of other things would be a much better use of your time. >>30025 >>30026 Same, I'm wasting much less of my time than i used to. I do at least an hour of noob-ass programming and an hour of noob-ass exercising a day. Eventually i will be less noob-ass.

>>30023 It's critical that you find something you actually enjoy doing instead of gaming before you try and quit. Otherwise, you'll just come crawling back.

>>30051 this is good advice thank you

>>30051 Yeah, I know, I do quite a lot of other stuff already, I hardly play games anymore as I said, but FOMO though. The only problem left with games is my fried attention span, really want to get back into reading >>30032 I think movies and tv are probably marginally better, or maybe more accurately less likely to develop into a serious time sink, so long as you're watching good stuff, because they're not as hyper stimulating and have clearly delineated starts and stops in them. >Why sell your pc Its loud as fuarrrk, its big, its worth a lot of money and I own a laptop. If I don't need the power I'd rather just have the compactness and convenience of the laptop, means I can have the rest of the desk space back for work and get rid of my external keyboard and high refresh rate monitor too, the money can go on a holiday Might get a 4k monitor if I can find one used for reading and working on but honestly I think a 14'' laptop is fine

>>30053 Well, did it, feels kind of childish how much I agonized over it but it felt pretty good too. I ended up selling the parts out instead of the full machine and bought an apu to replace them instead of going to a laptop, that just seed like it would be pointlessly frustrating after being used to a proper computer

Bullet journal it's protip

i have a fire within me that keeps me productive, or at least, something that feels like "productive." it goes away when i get too depressed. here are some things i do: >work 30 hrs a week >write music >make art >work on personal website >upkeep on other sites >go to concerts there's also "background activity," stuff like: >listening to music >irc, xmpp, etc >surf the web i have a harder time with more "idle" activities, but i still do them from time to time. >spend time in nature >watch movies, gaming etc - "content consumption" >tidy my space i feel very lucky to have the drive to stay productive. bit staying on-task is a different story, hah

Learn to ride a unicycle.

>>29764 i made this chart over the course of a week. would be interested to see lainons do the same.

>>30713 >work 20% requesting clarification

>>30837 33 hours a week? i work part-time