Sunday, August 17, 2014

Relax and refresh

I remember writing up a whole list of things to do with unexpected bits of time. And yet I always do the same thing---play around on my phone. Whether its 15 minutes or an hour, I generally waste any breaks I get with this unfulfilling unsatisfying activity. And then I feel like my whole weekend was drudgery, because I never took advantage of the free time to fit in something that actual enhanced my life and was memorable. I decided to re-think the list and add to it. I'm then going to print it out and keep it somewhere (taped to my phone?) so I can remind myself, when I find myself with 30 minutes to myself, that I do have time to do things, I just need to do them. Some of these things may be considered "chores" but if they are relaxing/enjoyable to me (or at least more enjoyable than refereeing the wrestling match going on 24/7 in our house...)

  • Read book
  • Read New Yorker
  • Watch episode of TV show
  • Listen to music
  • Sit on deck 
  • Nap (put phone away and get in bed!)
  • Clean out drawers
  • Iron (with TV/music)
  • Pull weeds from container garden/sidewalk (I find it soothing)
  • Run an errand for me 
  • Paint nails
  • Dye hair
  • Plan a more complicated or new meal (find recipe, make shopping list)
  • Plan a night out
  • Look into vacation/travel options
  • Go for a walk or run
  • Exercise---crunches, planks, push-ups
  • Try on make-up (I never wear it because I don't know how and want to practice)
  • Do one step of a sewing project (find tutorial, measure fabric, cut, iron, pin, sew)
  • Plan out work week
  • Work
  • Call a friend
  • Write a blog post
  • Comment on blogs (not just skim on phone)
 What do you do if you get an unexpected hour to yourself?

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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 17, 2014 at 1:26 PM

    Right now... dealing with a moth infestation in the pantry. :( (Currently taking a brief sanity break.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. sarah (SHU)August 17, 2014 at 9:18 PM

    i think the phone problem stems from the fact that it's often NOT an hour - it's a "stolen" 15 minutes while the kids are otherwise occupied and you have no idea whether it's going to last or not so the mindless phone-ing seems like the right thing to do. something that wouldn't be so bad if you got interrupted; something to pass the time. like you i find it a quick escape but one that leaves me with a gross empty feeling.

    also it's funny that you have 'watch a tv episode' on there. given that it's the american pastime and all. however, i am the exact same way. which reminds me i really need/want to catch up with girls season 3 . . .

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    Replies
    1. AnaAugust 18, 2014 at 9:29 AM

      Yes, its a lot of stolen minutes, but also (FINALLY) there are more times that G may take the boys to the park nearby for an hour, or occupy them in something (or sit them down in front of Dora) and I actually have a longer time frame, and still don't use it well.

      I definitely think deliberately watching an episode of something I want to catch up on would be much more satisfying.

      Delete
  3. zerodollAugust 17, 2014 at 11:51 PM

    Well, I guess lots of people find weed soothing! ;)

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    Replies
    1. AnaAugust 18, 2014 at 9:26 AM

      Oh god, LOL! I edited the post to be more specific...but yes, I guess that would be a good way to relax (honestly, not something I partake in, though)

      Delete
  4. EsperanzaAugust 17, 2014 at 11:59 PM

    I also fritter it away on my phone and it also drives me crazy. With my new schedule I'm going to have a lot less free time and I'm going to have to use it VERY WISELY. I love your list. I should make one too.

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    Replies
    1. AnaAugust 18, 2014 at 9:26 AM

      The challenge will be remembering to use this list, though. Its so easy to just fritter the time away.

      Delete
  5. DeborahAugust 19, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    I'm working on spending less time on my phone, too. Sometimes I use the extra time for housework, but I'm trying to also read books or do some kind of project. Lately I'm labeling pictures to put in albums, which is satisfying.

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  6. oilandgarlicAugust 21, 2014 at 5:07 PM

    Nap! I also try to read but I often read books on my phone.

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  7. AlyssaAugust 27, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    I LOVE the idea of having the list ready to go whenever you're looking for something to do. I'm guilty of jumping on my iPhone or other device when I could be doing something more relaxing/productive. My go-tos are (or should be) reading, knitting, and napping ;P I also actually like doing small things around the house so I feel more productive (empty dishwasher, pull some weeds, throw in a load of laundry, organize something, etc.).

    ReplyDelete
  8. tike mikApril 5, 2021 at 7:52 AM

    There are literally hundreds of massage modalities and they can seem daunting to someone who has never received a massage before. Reiki

    ReplyDelete