“You work hard, you play hard,” everyone says. Yet, many people end up staring at their phone screens for hours, spoiling their free time with pointless activities. Would you like to turn your passive leisure into something more productive and gratifying?
Here are six ways to use your free time for the better!
1. Take Up New Hobbies
There’s more to life than watching TV shows and scrolling social media pages. In fact, these activities can easily harm your mental state and motivation.
Hobbies, however, always improve the quality of life. Study participants stated that indulging in new hobbies increased their positivity and life satisfaction, as well as minimized depression. Also, participants experienced better physical health.
Some hobbies require a higher budget, but you can also skip big investments at first. For example, you can try:
- upcycling;
- learning to play an instrument;
- acting;
- rock climbing;
- surfing;
- archery;
- knitting and crocheting;
- brewing beer;
- cooking, and more!
2. Invest In Yourself
If you’re up for a challenge, try investing some time in your knowledge. To ease into it, you can find some documentaries on the internet or read some books. Doesn’t matter if it’s the philosophy or animal life. Any topic will greatly enrich your mind.
When you’re ready, start learning more. There are countless incredible classes to take up, from algebra and marketing to coding and cooking. And you don’t even have to leave your room!
Find classes online and join a few video calls to study in a group. Thanks to new ventures, you won’t just be more knowledgeable and interesting as a person. You’ll also be able to find new side hustles and climb the career ladder.
3. Make Extra Money
Given you already possess some solid skills, you can find a suitable side hustle and make some more money. That additional income will be perfect for an emergency fund to pay off loans and credit card debt and new investments. But what can you do part-time?
Well, side hustles can be done in person, like babysitting, dog walking, and handyman work. Other jobs are available on the Internet. They include:
- Freelancing. With freelancing, you can use your professional skills to help clients all across the world. Be it marketing or social media management – you’ll earn a great buck.
- Micro-jobs. Services like JumpTask are happy to provide anyone with easy micro-jobs. Here, you can play games, watch videos, write reviews, and take surveys – all for compensation.
- Reselling. Bored of your old clothes? Sell them instead of throwing them out. You’ll make someone happy and earn some money while at it.
- Passive income. Learning how to earn money passively, basically while sleeping, will definitely pay off in the long run. But to do it correctly, it’s essential to do enough research and/or talk to the professionals in this field.
4. Reunite With Your Loved Ones
Adult life leaves little to no time to see your family and friends. Everyone is stuck at work, and you just don’t have any energy to meet up afterward. Phone calls are not enough, either. That’s why bringing your family member or friend lunch to work would be an incredible idea!
Stop looking at a phone screen and plan an outing in person. Even if you don’t live in one city anymore, there’s a way to plan dinner together. You can also use video calls to reconnect with your loved ones and tell them about recent things you’ve been through.
5. Start Journaling
A lot of us kept a private journal when we were teenagers, and no one was allowed to peek in. What’s stopping us from journaling as adults? Quite a lot of mental struggles can be managed by journaling. According to medical professionals, your journal will help you reduce stress, manage anxiety and even cope with depression.
To start, just purchase a journal you like and begin writing your thoughts. You can write every day or choose to make weekly summaries. As long as you’re consistent, you’ll become more self-aware and happy.
6. Give Back To The Community
There are countless people struggling day to day, and you have a chance to help. For example, you could join a local soup kitchen or an environmental organization. Animal shelters are also in need of carers. In case you want to spread positivity locally, visit your elderly neighbors and ask them if they need any help. Bring them groceries, drive them to the hospital, or deep clean their home – they’ll be very thankful.
Not only volunteering makes you feel great, but it’s also an amazing way to give back to the community. Along the way, you’ll hear shocking life stories and find like-minded people. Moreover, you’ll be surrounded by love and support.
There are so many ways to spend your free time with a goal in mind. Taking up hobbies, studying, earning extra, reuniting with loved ones, journaling, and helping your community are just a few unique ideas you could try. We promise that your leisure will be much more gratifying from now on!
