Are you tired of spending your free time aimlessly scrolling through social media or binge-watching TV shows? Do you feel like you never have enough time to do the things you truly enjoy? Fear not, my friend, because I have some high-priority categories and time management strategies that will help you make the most of your free time!
"What are your plans for the weekend?" "What am I going to do today after work?"
These are probably some of the most common questions we ask ourselves.
We have a lot of options these days. We could be occupied for countless lifetimes by the amount of information we could be consuming from the internet alone! Therefore, it is more important than ever to manage our free time and prevent it from being wasted on mindless internet scrolling that we will come to regret.
Personally, I hate to waste a lot of time planning out what I'll do this weekend and in my free time in general. So I developed some strategies to avoid this as much as possible.
I figured if I make a list of regular activities that I already know I enjoy and find meaningful, I won't have to spend as much time deciding what to do. Having a variety of options at my disposal I will always have a Plan B in case Plan A does not work out.
I came up with the five categories of high-priority activities you can do listed below, that also contributes to all facets of our well-being!
Now, take out a piece of paper and write down at least 5 activities under each of these categories. Then you will have a ready-to-use list right in front of you next time you wonder what to do with your free time!
High-Priority Categories
1. Rest & Recharge!
Find a way to relax that works for you! For example, go for a walk outside, meditate or simply take a nap. Rest is essential for your mental and physical health and it helps you recharge so that you can be more productive at work and feel your best at whatever you do later!
2. Nurture Your Relationships!
It's so easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the important people around us, so make sure to prioritize your relationships in your free time. Spend time with loved ones, whether it's a phone call, a video chat, or an in-person hangout.
Fun fact: According to the longest longitudinal study on human life ever conducted, having satisfying relationships is the secret to happiness. Those who have quality relationships are not only healthier but also tend to live longer!
3. Learn Something New!
Learning something new can be an exciting and stimulating way to spend your free time. It doesn't have to be anything big, and could be something as simple as trying a new recipe, a new hobby, or learning a new language. Challenge yourself to learn one new thing every day!
There are so many free books you can borrow from your library and podcasts you can listen to! For example, check out these awesome articles on our website on ways to improve your physical, mental, social and financial well-being!
You can also spend some time to learn more about yourself! Check out these psychological assessments to get to know your personality, values, interests and strengths!
4. Pursue Your Passion or Work on a Side-Hustle!
Do you have a hobby or activity that you're passionate about that you don't get to do in your day job? Whether it's painting, writing, playing music, or dancing, use your free time to pursue your passions!
Side-hustles are not only great for making more money, but also allows you to make use of strengths that you may not be able to use in your day job and do something that you are truly passionate about!
Check out this great article by Ramsey to get inspired on 27 side-hustles out there!
5. Maintain Your Physical Fitness!
Exercising is not one of the top choices when it comes to choosing what we want to do in our free-time. But having a healthy body is the foundation to everything we want to do in life. Therefore, you need to make time to do some exercise, even if it is just taking a walk.
Be sure to check out this article for ideas on how to move more in your daily life without having to go to the gym!
Time Management Strategies
Don't forget to schedule and automate the activities as much as you can! This will motivate you to actually do the activities and also takes your mind off-of having to think about what to do every day!
💡SCHEDULE
Putting all the activities you want to do in your calendar in advance will ensure you will make time for all the activities you want to do - to relax, have fun, nurture your relationships, work on your passion projects AND stay on top of all the must-do life activities!
For example, on Sunday evening, I like to write down 1-2 key activities I plan to do each day in the upcoming week. This makes me look forward to the week ahead and has ensured I spend my time wisely!
💡AUTOMATE
For the most high priority activities that you want to do on a regular basis, make it a recurring one on your calendar. Pick a day and time each week to exercise and another day and time to call your your family each week.
For example, I have recurring video-chats (biweekly or monthly) with some friends who are out of town and this has helped me maintain meaningful connections with them despite our physical distance!
Conclusion
We all have the power to design a fulfilling life by carefully curating how we spend our free time. Take charge of your free time and design a life you can't wait to wake up for each day!
Take Action!
Take out a piece of paper and write down 10 high priority activities you can do in your free time.
Pick 1 activity from your list that you plan to do every week and make it recurring in your calendar for the next 6 months.
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