There’s only so much Netflix-binging and TikTok-scrolling you can do before it no longer satisfies you. You need something fresh and exciting to pass your free time, but stepping out of your comfort zone for productive time can be challenging.
Finding activities to try is one of the first things that slows you down. In this guide, we observe some productive, meaningful, and stimulating pastimes to pursue, all supported with tech.
Table of contents
Pick up some neglected work for productive time
We all have those tasks we tend to avoid like the plague. Over time, they stack up, and you might struggle to find the motivation to do them. Using your free time more productively could mean finally picking them up. If you need inspiration on some of the things you might be neglecting, here it is:
- Organize your closet and find clothes you could donate.
- Digital clutter is very real. Look at your inbox, files, desktop, and passwords to see if they require a deep clean and organization.
- Clean those spots in your house that you tend to skip (like the fridge).
- Throw away (or sell) old stuff. For instance, you can find different platforms for selling items to interested buyers: Facebook Marketplace, Depop, Vinted, Mercari, or Etsy. Managing this little home business is also exciting!
If you need a little push to complete these, try Habitica, an application that introduces a gaming aspect to your tasks. Besides tracking your to-dos, it can assist in scheduling appointments and quitting unwanted habits.
Volunteer to better yourself and others
Volunteering can be scary, but the ability to help your community is a precious addition to your lifestyle and can lead to productive time that is very rewarding. Depending on your location, you might have different options to join:
- Environment preservation means you help to clean parks, beaches, and forests, or even join tree-planting campaigns.
- You could join programs for tutoring children or adults on various skills.
- Homeless people or animal shelters also seek extra hands to distribute meals, walk dogs, etc.
- Many non-profit organizations seek people willing to help them with projects (planning events, writing articles, or designing logos). This virtual volunteering could extend to people assisting with translating, counselling, or legal work. The key is that people perform their tasks remotely using different technologies.
Try earning additional income
Besides more general and undoubtedly benevolent activities, you can also find options to improve your financial situation.
Managing your regular expenses and those occasional splurges can be tough, even with a stable job. How about trying some activities that can make money online? The internet and new technologies can help you find the following sources of additional income:
- Becoming a social media creator can mean collecting views on YouTube or streaming live on Twitch.
- Freelancing by joining different platforms (Upwork, Fiverr) to find people/companies looking for additional help.
- Try looking for sites that offer paid tasks/assignments that you can perform. That could include picking up groceries in supermarkets for delivery or answering surveys for a reward (such as gift cards). You can even share your unused internet bandwidth and earn extra money.
- Coaching or tutoring others can also be viable, especially since you can do it with students from anywhere.
Adopt a healthier lifestyle
Sticking to a healthier diet and going to the gym has undeniable benefits. In addition to that, it will surely burn through your free time! Cooking meals, planning them, and finishing your workout won’t leave room for boredom.
You also have several applications that can help you prioritize mental and physical wellness: Headspace, MyFitnessPal, Lifesum, and FitOn.
Pick up a simple hobby
A hobby is expressing yourself, relaxing, and feeling spiritually uplifted. While you might go for traditional hobbies, consider tech-powered ways of passing free time:
- DIY tech projects, such as the Raspberry Pi Project or 3D printing.
- Animation creation or digital drawing/painting.
- Drone photography.
- Tech blogging.
- Esports.
Join online communities
Online communities on Discord or forums can help you connect with people. Sharing ideas with like-minded people can lead to precious connections. You might join regular meetings or activities to continue strengthening the bond.
Learn something new or improve
Spending some time improving your skills is an asset. Furthermore, you might be interested in learning something new (which may or may not benefit your career). In both cases, you have access to different learning opportunities through the help of technology:
- Online courses (Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare).
- YouTube tutorials.
- Audiobooks.
- Podcasts.
- Online workshops.
Define goals for the day/week
It’s understandable to struggle to include more productive activities into your routine. So, set simple weekly or daily goals before you take on new hobbies, jobs, and volunteering simultaneously.
For example, make it a rule to spend one to two hours practicing a new skill or tidying up your clothes every Sunday.
Conclusion
Your time is too valuable to waste! So, use it wisely, and remember that any activity that gives you value or pleasure is worthwhile. You may start small, slowly adjusting to a more active routine to raise your productive time (additional work or a trip to the gym). However, while becoming more productive is the goal, never neglect rest. Finding time to relax is no sign of laziness: take it to recharge and get back on track.
