If you’re like me, you find that during the summer, when there’s no classes and no homework absorbing every waking moment of your existence, you’re really bored and have no idea what to do with yourself. I mean, I’m all for spending the whole day playing Minecraft or Animal Crossing or something, but lately, doing that feels very “wasteful.” Well, any time you’re having fun is not wasteful, and you should be enjoying it for as long as you can! But, that feeling when you’re out of things to do and thus the only thing you can do is a mindless time passer, it doesn’t feel too great. If you’re like me, you hate that feeling, and if you’re like me, that feeling doesn’t really go away until school starts again.

So why not pick up a hobby? I’ve been meaning to try punch-needling for a while and then…oh no, all the supplies are so expensive. But, I tell myself, “Oh well, I’ll just do it, maybe I’ll really like it!” and somehow expect myself to be a master at it as soon as I start. Then I’ll watch a tutorial and get confused and jealous about how good the tutorial-person’s work is, and mumble to myself “Maybe this just isn’t my thing…” Eventually, I’ll throw the supplies in my closet, hoping to find the confidence to pick it up again but in the back of my mind I know I won’t, at least not for a while. Maybe you’re like me and pick up and throw away hobbies quickly. Maybe that’s not the route to go this summer.

So, okay, that was a bust. Maybe I’ll do something with my friends, surely there’s someone I can do something with. OK, I have this person’s number, but we never really talked outside of that one time. It’d be weird to invite them to something, right? How about this person? We sat next to each other the entirety of that one class, maybe they’d want to do something with me? Ah no, I’m sure they already have friends to hang out with. Maybe I should just stay home and watch a movie, but that sounds kinda boring and lonely without other people to join me. What else can I do though? I don’t want to be the only one with a really lame response when someone asks me what I did on a Friday night. They’d all say they went to a club with friends or made the magnum opus of their painting career or something. And, I’m not even into doing either of those things! Why am I even jealous of the people in these hypothetical scenarios? I’m supposed to be out having some serious fun right now! It’s summer! I have so much free time now, what am I using it for! ARGH! …

Maybe you’re like me and often left wondering, “So what can I do?” Maybe the issue isn’t so much that I and others like me have trouble being genuinely productive but we define productivity in a way that means creating or doing something “useful.” But being productive should be and is doing anything that you personally find valuable for any reason! If you think it’s worth your time, then I believe that is completely productive. A New York Times article derives from a study by the journal Emotion which tested how much “pleasure people derived from thinking. [In the study] Participants left to their own devices were more likely to gravitate toward worrying or neutral topics like work or school, and they were left with negative or neutral feelings after the session. When given a framework that guided them to imagine something positive, like a fantasy of having superpowers or the memory of their first kiss, they were 50 percent more likely to feel positive after the session.” (Article) If even something seemingly “unproductive” like daydreaming can, in actuality, help you feel good then there must be so many other similar activities that work the same!

Though, I don’t blame anyone who may feel apprehensive about this. Business Psychologist, Peter Steward, explains in his aptly named article, “Why You Should Embrace The Concept Of ‘Wasting’ Time” that, “In a world that values productivity and results, a world where 70- and 80-hour work weeks are a badge of honor, the very concept of ‘wasting time’ provokes a sense of guilt and worry.” (Article) It’s always good to find a balance between focusing on responsibilities and chilling out, but there are many nuances as to how and what activities are productive to specifically you. Everyone has their own obligations be it work, school, or other, but when you do have the down time I suggest you use it pleasurably! Appreciating that time will make you feel better, and this is how I believe productivity should be redefined. Instead of feeling bad you’re not “using” your time properly during the summer, it could actually be more productive to appreciate that you have the free time to do whatever you want!

Not to get it twisted though; to reiterate, doing errands and chores, going to work or volunteering your time is definitely productive, but I’m specifically speaking about relaxing activities that are typically seen as “a waste of time.” While it’s true we only have so much of it in our lives, if you spend it worrying about always doing things that capitalism defines as productive then that doesn’t seem like a life you’ve left for the more pleasurable things like reading a book, going for a walk during sunset, spending time with the people you love, writing poetry, analyzing a movie, or doing whatever you like to do!

On the other hand, maybe as much as you may try to just relax, you just can’t shake the feeling that you’re missing out on doing anything and something. And that’s OK! I find myself in very much the same predicament. Some people can just relax and do nothing, and others like to always be doing something. If you’re like that and struggle with finding activities you like to do (as I do), I suggest spending time just exploring! Typing in “How To” or “[X subject] Tutorial” on YouTube and searching through what comes up can be a great way to discover some hobbies you may have never thought of! That’s how I got into car detailing; I watched a bunch of videos of others doing it and I found them so satisfying I thought, “Hey, I could be doing that!” So, I did! Though, I don’t have all the same fancy supplies that they use, I just make do with what I have. A handheld vacuum, some car soap, a hose, and some microfiber cloths have had a similar effect in the end after all, and this can be said for many other activities as well. It’s been really good for me at least, since I find doing some self-imposed labor and seeing the end results of thereof very relaxing.

As well, actually limiting your materials can force you to be more creative and has led to some very innovative projects in real life. It may take some stretching of the imagination, but you can affordably and easily enjoy many activities this way! For example, if you want to create art but only have crayons, you really don’t have to go out of your way to buy fancy artist markers or oil paints in order to create something amazing. Mixed media art can be good inspiration for this, as you can take pieces of newspaper, magazines, some paint, and whatever else to create something entirely different! Isn’t that cool? Though this doesn’t necessarily apply to everything, it can be good to start with what you have first whenever trying a new activity or hobby. Jumping into it right away can be overwhelming, and lead to frustration, disappointment, and a sense of loss. Give yourself a taste first, and then decide if you want to invest in it more. If you try something and it doesn’t end up being your thing, at least you tried it! And hey, maybe if you’re sure you’ve given up on it, it’s always nice to donate any supplies you got to someone else who would be interested! Just feel free to keep experimenting while you have the time to, it’s a really good way to spend your summer.

Remember, if you get too hung up on what is and isn’t being done, you can really burn yourself out. Maybe it’d be helpful to make it your goal to just find as much time as you can to invest in things that make you happy, whatever it may be. Maybe you like to make tier lists of your favorite albums, or scour the internet for niche movies, or listen to hilariously named Spotify playlists; whatever you enjoy doing is productive! Life is short anyway and there’s so many things in the world to enjoy, and maybe summer is the perfect time to get started on exploring!

Extra Pro Tips:

Next time you feel you’re just “wasting” time, try these tips!

– Remember, you are not a machine — and besides, even machines have to be reset and recalibrated occasionally. “Wasting time” is your brain and body’s way of recalibrating and resetting. Ask yourself:

• Do you feel guilty when you take time to care for your physical health during the day? Why?
• How much time do you spend on tasks unrelated to work each day? Is it enough?
• What are some productive time wasters you enjoy (exercise, reading, crafting, etc.)? Is there a new one you’d like to try?

(Article)

– Time management coach Elizabeth Saunders examines scenarios where “wasting” time could, overall, make your mind feel better.

• Decompressing – As previously mentioned, sometimes your brain just needs a break! Especially after work, this is a perfect time to just “waste time” however you please. Doing so helps clear your mind for the next day.
• Processing Emotions – “For example if you had a tense confrontation with a colleague, you could talk about the situation with someone you trust, write out your thoughts, or simply think through what happened, what you learned from the situation, what you could have done differently, and how to move forward from here. [ …] This emotional processing may take you a few hours or more depending on the intensity of the emotion and the complexity of the situation. But, by ‘wasting’ those few hours, you gain peace of mind so you’re not carrying around the negative emotions from the situation for days, weeks, or even months.”
• Making a Decision – Giving yourself time and permission to properly make a big decision can help you not regret it later. Instead of avoiding it or acting impulsively, try relaxing first and then let yourself passively think. This is called “diffused thinking,” and can actually help you be more creative too! Diffused thinking can happen “when you’re brushing your teeth, walking, cooking dinner, or really in any other ‘in-between’ time where your mind wanders. Although it can make sense to listen to podcasts, music, or audiobooks during these times, by not ‘wasting’ a little time by giving yourself input-free space, you may miss out on many spontaneous creative thoughts.”
• When “Savoring” – “Although on the surface, [savoring a moment] may seem like a waste of time, from a psychological point of view, it’s an important key to a happy life. Savoring involves being present in the moment and allowing yourself to fully feel and appreciate the positive emotions generated by the present.”

(Article)

– Lastly, this article from Medium.com called “How to Manage Your Time and Embrace the Concept of Wasted Time” can also be a very useful resource!

Finding what works for you is crucial to enjoying a time well “wasted”!