I’ve been noticing lately that I need what I’m going to call “time fillers”. Ie, activities or mindless movies/tv to occupy me (and some times distract me) when I am not working. I’m still up in the air if these are good distractions, or if I’m just avoiding things sometimes.
While I’ve been getting more involved at my church and meeting some new friends (which is awesome, it’s great to finally recognize people and have people to talk too), it’s still quite limited. My one close friend can’t hang out all the time, and I can’t work all the time, so basically I need some new hobbies and or friends or something.
I obviously don’t have much extra money at the moment, but there are a few things I’ve thought about that aren’t too spendy that I could use to fill up some of my down time when I’m too tired or exausted to work, or just need a change of pace.
Some ideas to kill time…
1. TV Shows – I get the major channels free (attenae! on my computer), I don’t have cable, don’t plan on getting it. But I’ve been renting a few times this month TV shows from Blockbuster (I should use a blockbuster promo code). I’ve gotten hooked on a few, and I don’t want to keep spending money here, but these are a great time filler and a way for me to relax. (my thought: maybe a cheap netflix account)
2. The Gym – After living in my office and having to shower at the gym for 2 months straight…I canceled my gym membership (when i got a place to live). I’m not missing the gym showers, but I am missing working out at a gym. It’s something that when I have it (the gym membership), I’m pretty darn consistent at about 3 visits a week. Right now I just run and do push-ups and some free weights I kept. Going to the gym always made me feel better about myself and I enjoyed it…it’s just a matter if I can justify $30/month right now for this…
3. Relationships – One thing I could do is start being a little more proactive with some of the newer acquaintances in my life. Going to coffee, or doing some event (community sports or something with people) would fill time as well. This doesn’t have to cost much, but going to coffee 2 times a week adds up (It’s rare that I get coffee now…maybe once a month at most). I suppose it doesn’t have to be a spending event, but most social things involve food or drink of some sorts, you know how it is.
So, that’s what I have for now. I’m not sure which of the three above (or all three….or a combo of the three) I’m going to do. We’ll see. But I need to find something. I feel lame just working and then waiting all week for the weekend just to have some social interaction. I actually really enjoy my alone time, but I can only take so much of it. And I’m getting much better in social situations as of late. I’m actually kind of proud of myself in that regard, I have been pretty proactive about getting out more, and it’s paying off. I’m feeling more comfortable in social settings, and feeling more like my younger more sociable self.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Debtkid
Does “(attenae! on my computer)” mean regular old rabbit ears somehow hooked up to your computer, or is it a website? If it is a website, can you please be more specific? I too have no cable (never have). Been watching broadcast only for over 40 years.
Hang in there mate. Great blog – just discovered it the last few days through Casey Serin and have read nearly every post. I've never been in serious debt, but I have had money and girl-meeting problems so I can really relate to your situation. You'll get through this.
Dude, GET BACK IN THE GYM. Whoa, you don't realize it's worth WAY more than $30/mo to you!
If your day brings you into the vicinity of a public library, try there for movies. I live near a library with an excellent movie section, and this costs me nothing if i remember to return things on time.
library is a good idear…
you have that fancy main branch in downtown seattle.
Well, I certainly don't want to discourage you in any way, but….for many of us, life out of debt and in the black on the balance sheet, and "all grown up" is not all that exciting, and does not have many diversions. My life is sort of just work. That is why you really need to pick a career that has you doing something you love. In a typical week, I will get up and get to work around 8:45 am, and work until about 8:30 or 9 pm. With 45 minutes or so for lunch, and 30 minutes or so of "lost" time, that works out to at most 11 billable hours a day, or 55 billable hours per week if I only work 5 days a week. 55 hours billable is not considered very much, and I'm NOT a lawyer. After I get home, there is just enough time to eat, pay bills, check debtkid.com
and fall into bed before starting over.
Weekends are spent grocery shopping, cleaning the house, dry clean runs, mowing or raking the yard, church and catch up on personal work.
The gym is a good idea, as are low cost socializing options, including sports, church activities and the library.
The point of my post is that you should not get discouraged. Many people are similarly focused on work, and it is not all bad.