I recently got a job, and what I didn’t realize before (but I do now), is how much free time I used to have. Even then, I didn’t use it wisely. I mostly spent it browsing the Internet, playing videogames, or just watching TV.Now I feel like I need to use my time in a more productive way, especially because I don’t want to fall into the routine of just waking up, showering, changing clothes, and heading to work.For example, I have hobbies like playing the piano and guitar. But right now my piano is stored away because my house is too small, and I don’t have the space to play. My guitar also needs maintenance, and the nearest shop is pretty far away.I’ve also wanted to get into drawing for a while, but I don’t enjoy drawing on paper. I bought a Wacom tablet (the kind without a screen) to draw on my PC, but it feels awkward, and I never really got used to it. I really want to learn how to draw, but the options I’ve tried so far haven’t been what I expected.At the moment, I usually spend my free time watching movies and TV shows or playing a few videogames. I just feel like that’s not the best way to spend weekends. Friday night comes, I get home, and before I know it, it’s already Sunday night. Then I have to get ready for another week of work until Friday comes again, rinse and repeat.So my question is: how do you make good use of your free time? I’d really like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks, and take care.
>>33660752I used to try to "use it productively" but then I realized that chasing productivity was pointless. Now I use it however makes me happy and try not to pressure myself into certain ways of use. Sometimes it is gardening, sometimes writing, sometimes watching TV. I try to be happy
>>33660752You’re probably too exhausted from work other than to be in a vegetative state for recovery. I find that I’m most productive when I work for myself and can play piano/guitar as a pause from my work. I work constructively and I have autistic pictorial charts that log my free time usage. If it looks like I’m slacking, I get to it. I find that this method of 7.5 - 15 minutes is optimal for concepts, and keeps me “wanting” to play (not being “pulled away” by TV, vidya, 4chan). These charts are organized by the hour and go up to 20 hours (which I believe puts me in the passable-intermediate skill range for most activities). That means that at minimum there’s 160 of these 7.5 minute “free time” excursions, 80 for 15 minutes. It helps gamify things while also keeping me honest. You can literally see what you spend your free time on.I also developed my mental powers to be able to visualize tasks and work on them when I’m in a state of relaxation. For example, I’m typing while my mind thinks of alternate fingerings for the the drop at 1:22:https://youtu.be/R8UX7bzU_rc?si=MXcusFOqTeMVlyIcFuck that’s good, where was I? Right, you can be mind productive and body tired. The guilt is coming from your brain atrophying and not engaging in life.Also, fix your damn guitar. One video for ten minutes will have you set forever. It’s either turning Allen keys left or right (string height/action or truss rod), resoldering the electronics, or you need new strings/nut/frets/springs (for floating bridge electric). This is coming from a guy who used to practice up to 5 hours a day of music on top of AP classes, sports, and other shit. I understand what the benchmarks that are needed for mastery, but I also understand the diminished returns of n er enjoying your life, looking wistfully at green grass while I run all the modes of the melodic minor scale up my bass.
>>33660752You work to have free time.Free time is not for slaving or "being productive"
>>33660752>I’ve also wanted to get into drawing for a while, but I don’t enjoy drawing on paper. I bought a Wacom tablet>but it feels awkwardYeah same. I might just invest in a screen tablet because I feel comfortable drawing more on my phone than I do on a drawing pad desu
>>33660752Set a schedule. Ideally on paper you have to write down and look at but on your phone if you must. That's it. That's the whole secret really. Writing things down and reading them is basically a superpower to help keep yourself focused on what you want to do, including managing your time. Do it. You'll actually be amazed.
>>33661747Use your free time in a better way then. Just laying on your bed doing nothing gets tiring pretty fast.
>>33660752Start by doing small things anon. Like, draw for 5 minutes, start planning to go fix your guitar, slowly build your habits. Also, don't think about this in terms of "productivity", but as quality time with yourself.
