Lots of advice is offered about how to manage the busy holidays, but many of us have the opposite problem—we are not that busy! Schools and workplaces are closed; volunteer committees, networking events and extra-curricular activities are on pause for December. Even our favorite TV shows are gone, replaced with re-runs and bad holiday specials.
All too often, when we have extra free time, we pressure ourselves to accomplish a huge backlog of tasks and projects. Be honest, how well has that worked in the past? Chances are you didn’t get much done, and you spent your time feeling guilty, discouraged and beating yourself up.
I propose we try something different. Let’s take the pressure off. Sure, we can do some work if we’re feeling inspired, but if not, let’s grant ourselves permission to do anything that feels rejuvenating, fun or totally mindless–and let’s do it without guilt! By the time January rolls around, I predict we’ll have a new perspective and maybe even feel eager to get back to work.
We can treat this as an experiment. As you sample different activities, take note of what you do and how it makes you feel. What happens for you in the next 1-24 hours following an activity? How is your mood, energy, creativity?
You’re probably not great at allowing yourself leisure time (mindlessly surfing the web while you avoid other tasks doesn’t count), so you might have to put some thought into what you will actually do. Plan ahead and brainstorm several easy, low or no-cost activities. My only suggestion is not to choose something you typically do while you’re procrastinating or avoiding other tasks. I’ve offered my own list, to help you get started.
50 things to do with your time:
- Read that book your friend gave you three years ago.
- Try a new recipe.
- Explore a new neighborhood.
- Volunteer to help a neighbor.
- Experiment with different meditation or guided imagery apps.
- Make a collage with left-over craft materials.
- Plan a fun social event or outing for February.
- Learn a new piece of music.
- Play your kids’ video games.
- Watch the Yule Log channel.
- Visit a museum.
- Go on a hike and take pictures.
- Offer to accompany your best friend on an errand she’s been avoiding.
- Re-acquaint yourself with your local library.
- Do a jig-saw puzzle.
- Take a drive on that road that you’ve always wondered about.
- Try a new restaurant.
- Re-watch a poignant or funny movie classic that you were too young to appreciate the first time.
- Attend an amateur theater production.
- Head to the closest city for an urban hike.
- Have fun with colored pencils http://www.coloring-pages-adults.com.
- Make a vision board.
- Play cards.
- Use Google Earth to explore parts of the world you’ve always wondered about.
- Take a bath.
- Make a terrarium.
- Tie-dye a t-shirt.
- Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in years.
- Attend a lecture.
- Explore your neighborhood bookstore.
- Write a poem about what you see outside your window.
- Go to the nearest large body of water and watch the birds.
- Walk in the rain.
- Watch old YouTube videos of your favorite contestant on American Idol (okay, so generally, screen time is not restorative, but music usually is).
- Team up with a couple of friends for take-out food while washing comforters at the local Laundromat.
- Download and create a playlist of NPR podcasts.
- Attend a “how to” talk at the big box hardware (or craft) store.
- Read the Sunday newspaper (the paper version).
- Draw.
- Sketch out the floor plan of your dream home.
- Make oobleck or playdough with young kids.
- Plant a winter container garden.
- Bake cookies.
- Visit a county park.
- Iron (only if you find it soothing).
- Clean out a junk drawer (only if you find it soothing).
- Listen to a cast recording of your favorite musical.
- Re-read a classic novel you didn’t appreciate when you were in high school.
- Attend a dance class.
- Visit your local nursery.
Now it’s your turn. Tell us about your simple pastimes!