Do you get bored on your free days?

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notemark@reddit

I haven't felt like that since school, even before kids I managed to easily run out of time in the week with all the books I want to read, movies I want to watch, games I wanted to play and places to go.

If I could retire now I would and I still think there wouldn't be enough time.

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Hey OP. 50 year old married father of two here. The path I’ve chosen - and celebrate - in life has meant professional, social and family responsibility.

When I’m available, every motherfucker wants a piece of me every single second of every single day.

This is the life I have built and I welcome this.

But… when I have time to myself - usually on a random day off work when the family are at school/working etc… I am simply incapable of being bored. Doing nothing - and I mean nothing - is the ultimate luxury. I could quite literally stare out of a window for an hour and enjoy every single second.

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RetroRegretso@reddit

No I don't. I don't know if it's common. ' I guess this feeling for most people go when the start a family.' What does that mean?

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chocklityclair@reddit

Ah. You haven't started a family 😂

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RetroRegretso@reddit

Me? I think you may have misunderstood what I wrote?

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GlitchingGecko@reddit

"People don't have time to be bored when they've got kids."

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Mental_Water_2694@reddit

Yeah, thank god for overtime lol

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Daisy_Ruby@reddit

Books or gaming as daft as it sounds a hobby adds to your life I play cozy open world games where I get sucked in.

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AphexTwinOK@reddit

I have longed for more time off over the years. Then I recently got made redundant and have a decent pay package to live on (paid monthly). I find myself so bored recently even though I hated my old job. It might be linked by not being surrounded by friends as much as I once was

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KittyMilly@reddit

I think it’s also the monotony, with every day feeling the same.

If it’s within your budget, why not indulge in some travelling?

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jelly10001@reddit

Less so since I got back into reading, watching TV dramas and going to the cinema. However there are still weekends where I get bored of reading, I realise I'm not that into the TV show I'm watching (it also doesn't help I don't really like watching TV dramas during the day) and I've seen everything I want to see at the cinema. Then I do find myself scrolling the internet hoping to find something exciting...

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littlebird2446@reddit

Sorry but if you’re that that bored with just two days off I think you’re a boring person. There’s more to life than the gym and cleaning. Go outdoors and find something fun??

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SorryCod4491@reddit (OP)

Maybe i am a boring person! but the point i was trying to make is that most people do the same things week in week out and if you dont have a family where your raising a child or have a hobbie that you can indulge in alot things start to feel a bit purposeless. i speak to people who are happy to stay indoor all day and the idea of that being the same 10 years down dosent bother them which is fine. Maybe i just cant relax easily

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littlebird2446@reddit

Well yeah, obviously life will feel purposeless if all you do is food shop, gym and clean your house every week.

Why are you not doing other stuff? I mean if you’re bored… change it up. There’s literally endless things you can be doing. You don’t need other people to be available to live your life.

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SorryCod4491@reddit (OP)

I do try new stuff here and there, but after a while a lot of it starts to feel like I'm just filling time rather than actually enjoying it or feeling recharged. That's why I made the post, wondering how other people who aren't super social or don't have a big "thing" they obsess over actually structure their free days so they don't feel pointless.

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littlebird2446@reddit

There must be something that you enjoy.

Nature

Arts and crafts

Movies

Coffee and cake dates

Reading

Hiking

Dog walking

Cycling

Sports

Beach

Bird watching

Scrapbooking

Learning an instrument

Fishing

There’s endless things you can do and try. Maybe you should make a big list and work through it until you find things that click.

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Hefty-Egg3406@reddit

I write goals. Not timebound, not even having to be realistic or it can be something that feels guaranteed. But I write things that I would like to do, big or small.

From learning to drive, going in a hot air balloon, seeing a particular sight, romantic goals, career progression, trying a certain food. Experiences that I would like in my life.

If I am feeling a bit restless about life I pick something off the list. Or I go back and see what can now cross off. It reminds me of all the things I can do and have done with my time here.

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Juicy_In_The_Sky@reddit

It could be mild anhedonia. Maybe start with one anchor thing at the weekend…..class, volunteering or maybe a walk to a cafe you like. Are you struggling with stress or energy? What do weekdays look like for you?

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SorryCod4491@reddit (OP)

Maybe Volunteering would be a good plan. i think i struggle to enjoy a lot of things that aren't productive (possibly) so helping people would feel good

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Juicy_In_The_Sky@reddit

Honestly, can highly recommend it. If your local council has a page with opportunities on maybe have a look, or see if there’s a local org nearby that does something you like / know something about / are interested in.

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cmrndzpm@reddit

I wonder if you’re just more of an extrovert, in the sense that you get re-energised by being with people rather than being alone, so trying to find things to do by yourself leads you to feel like you’re killing time.

I can feel like that quite a lot, I enjoy doing things in my own company up to a point, but I’d always prefer to be doing something with someone else. I’m just wired that way.

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SorryCod4491@reddit (OP)

That's an interesting point of view i haven't thought. sort of what i had in my head!

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Carafaggio@reddit

I have what you described! But for me it's very related to anxiety. I've never felt able to relax and I feel totally lost on weekends and feel lack of purpose. I'm having therapy and working on allowing myself to enjoy downtime, maybe you need a bit of help with it?

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Juicy_In_The_Sky@reddit

Aw let’s not be harsh. OP might just be stuck in a rut, or (don’t want to diagnose off little info) but maybe some mental health issues too

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PurpleOctopus6789@reddit

unfortunately some people have never developed the need to do things. They relied on adults to decide what they do and have never developed interests on their own and struggle in adulthood because they don't know how to find things that interest them. Often, they rely on their partners to provide entertainment instead of entertaining themselves. This is way too common.

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lonewolfdarkworld@reddit

How do I get out of this?

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MPforNarnia@reddit

I'd never had this problem but after leaving a super stressful job, it took me a little while to recover.

After a conversation with a friend, I went for a walk and recorded myself talking about my ideal week.

By the following month I'd joined a reading club, writing club, started an informal jamming group, started painting again.

You got to decide what you want to do with your life.

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HeftyRelative7600@reddit

100% this.. no friends and no imagination

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_Planemad_@reddit

Too right!

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National_Roof_7828@reddit

That’s unkind and a reductive comment

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Gunboat_Diplomat_@reddit

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever experienced boredom. Have you seen where we are? We’re on an organic orb flying through space.

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PsychologySpecific16@reddit

In short, no. I hate boredom

Not an exhaustive list but...

I watch youtube/tv/podcasts
i go to car meets, track days or just out for a drive
i play poker regularly
i go to the gym
i play pool (have table at home)
i occasionally go to the pub or gigs
i read history
i plan my next car build
i plan my next holiday
i go for a walk or around a mates house
i go play footy

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PrincessStephanieR@reddit

Nope, there’s always something to do. If there’s not, plan something!

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Smooth-Quantity-7024@reddit

My weekend usually consists of seeing my folks on Saturday and then declaring Sunday as my "nothing" day where I intentionally do nothing. But I often feel like I'm wasting the day even though I make a point of doing nothing and that affects my mood.

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YorkshireMary@reddit

I do if there's nothing planned. Today the manager of my charity shop rang and asked if I could do Saturday. Sunday I'm going to Royal Armouries in Leeds a.m. and later out for a curry 🍛.

I retired 4 years ago and I like to go to gym and swimming as well.

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Admiral_Eversor@reddit

I can't imagine being bored on my day off. I have way too much stuff I want to do! Too many hobbies, too little time.

I think you should pick up a hobby or two, I can't imagine what its like not to have anything going on other than work.

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Glittering-Wall2557@reddit

I remember when I started my last job, talking to a couple of people about my hobbies (musical theatre and running) and one of them saying “your CV must look so good with everything you do outside of work”

That made me feel really sad. I think as a child/teen we’re mainly encouraged to have hobbies to help us to get further in life rather than just to have something that’s purely for enjoyment.

I have ADHD and I want to try every hobby there is haha. There is not enough time - or energy - outside of work for all of the things I want to do. As a result I often get paralysed by indecision and find myself bored (though I’m getting better at it and reading tends to be my go to thing when I have nothing else to do)

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Educational-Angle717@reddit

Not at all, the weekends go far too quickly. You need to make some plans or failing that follow something. The days I have to 'kill' are usually filled up with going to the pub to watch the football, do you have a team?

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ermCaz@reddit

Kinda wild how some people can't be content with doing nothing. It's a great feeling being the moment with no outside noise. If everyday was like it, sure, you'd probably go insane.

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CooperAXE@reddit

If you're that bored, do food deliveries in the evening on your weekends and make some extra cash

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rkr87@reddit

The fuck..you needed some hobbies. I wouldn't have enough time to do everything I'd rather do than work with 7 free days a week.

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1968Bladerunner@reddit

No...I have lots if free time / days - I try & fit a nice walk in there if the weather cooperates, but otherwise will happily read all day if not. Surprising how quick a day passes when immersed in a good read.

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KindHearted_IceQueen@reddit

How?? I feel like there’s so many fun things to spend time doing that there’s hardly enough time.

Do you have a good set of hobbies / interests that you regularly spend time engaging in?

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Marvel--Jesus@reddit

Sometimes. Life can be very repetitive, especially if you're skint.

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ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

God no! I could do with more free days!

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Rebelology@reddit

Every day is free for me and yes it can get boring, but these feelings are simply signals that somethings wrong, which if one is in the correct state, will push you outside of your comfort zones... If one is not in the correct state, then you may find it depressing

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cmrndzpm@reddit

I do, even though I have hobbies I feel too overwhelmed to start them so I end up doing nothing. Untreated ADHD fucks me right up.

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SorryCod4491@reddit (OP)

I was expecting a lot more comments like this but think i am in a overwhelming minority!

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Brave_Reaction_4968@reddit

I know that feeling.

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Equivalent_Word3952@reddit

Woah no way, I need more days off please

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nearbycat666@reddit

I have 3 year old twins. I get one day almost free to myself (term time), even if I'm bored I still value the time.

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Single-Aardvark9330@reddit

Sometimes, usually on a Sunday afternoon when I feel I've done everything I meant to do and don't feel drawn to any particular hobby

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barriedalenick@reddit

I was lucky enough to stop working aged 55 and since then I have never been so busy. There simply is not enough time in the day, some days. If I ever get bored it is just because I am in a mood not because there isn't stuff to do. Work was fine and I enjoyed it but it just got in the way of having fun.

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Separate-Milk-7301@reddit

Neverrrrrrr. There’s life to experience outside work. While I have a love hate relationship with my job, I can afford time for my family and actually have a life outside of work. Honestly I don’t make much, 37F. But I have a whole lot of skills I do outside - roller skating , driving , sewing , reading , fitness and constantly remodelling my small apartment . I do a lot of fashion as well as a hobby and make up for people. I love life. If I had the choice I’ll choose not to work but build lives for people, make people see there’s more to life and what they see !!!

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a-liquid-sky@reddit

Jesus no. There isn't enough free time for me to read all the books I want, go to all the places I want to see, watch all the TV/play all the games I want to do.

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professoryaffle72@reddit

I was about to write exactly the same as this. I'm ready to retire. Don't have time for work.

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Menyana@reddit

Is there anything you'd like to try out? Like sewing, drawing, woodwork, dance, martial arts, axe throwing... the world is your oyster.

Maybe you could experiment? You could start out by making a list and try a few different things.

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K0monazmuk@reddit

Nope, never, I have lots of interests, plenty to keep me occupied inside and outside in all seasons.

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National_Roof_7828@reddit

What are they?

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K0monazmuk@reddit

DJ’ing, Fishing, Bird Watching / visiting nature reserves, hiking, gaming, metal detecting, visiting National Trust places. I’m lucky I live in a place surrounded by nature and close to the sea as well.

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Amddiffynnydd@reddit

Scuba diving and base jumping

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PurpleOctopus6789@reddit

No?! I am genuinely surprise that adults get bored on their days off. I've got so many hobbies and sports I take part in and things I enjoy that there's no way I could get bored even if I wasn't working at all. There's just so much to do and people getting bored is just really shocking to me.

guess this feeling for most people go when the start a family.

This would be such a sad way to live. You're not living for yourself then, you are just waiting and then living for your kids. How sad. Get a hobby ASAP!

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Forsaken1741@reddit

I don't understand how you could be bored these days. I have hundreds of hours worth of movies, tv shows and games.

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

I can scroll Netflix for an hour and not find anything appealing. People are different. For example I think hundreds of hours of TV killing boredom is sad.

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ladyfeats@reddit

No kids, work part time, and I still feel like I need extra days in the week to get everything that I want to do done. I have quite literally never felt bored, not even as a child. I love having time to myself, and I really don't struggle to fill it. Gym, dog walking, musical instruments, books, documentaries, if I could retire tomorrow I would still feel so incredibly busy!

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MezzStipe@reddit

No and, with respect, I've never really understood this but I know of a good friend who is the same as you (he's a father so idk) and he pretty much makes himself work 7 days a week

I'd rather pull out my toenails 😄

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

Confusing comment. OP isn't the same are they? Your friend is a parent. And what do you meant works 7 days a week? Actively avoiding being the child? Sounds like a cunt.

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

My days off is babysitting. I love it. I do like playing games on my laptop but after 2 hours I hit my limit and I need to socialise by going to the pub or picking mate's kids up from school. Something.

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poptimist185@reddit

This topic constantly frequently comes up on this sub and I’m never not baffled by it. Like, what do you even live for if free time is boring to you?

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MidnightRambler87@reddit

Loads of house stuff needs doing, meals out when we can afford it, seeing friends, baking, etc.

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Altixan@reddit

Not so much. It’s more that I don’t know what I want to do and end up wasting time. But I think it’s an ADHD thing. Not enough time to truly be bored but never using my time properly.

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Fun-Illustrator9985@reddit

Some die of thirst while others drown (in free time)

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limboxd@reddit

I plan my weeekends during the week so always have something to do be it seeing friends, going for a hike, cinema, town walkies etc.. Worst case just get a good book on the roster so you have something to fill time with that isn't just scrolling on your phone honestly

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wutheringgoblin@reddit

Nope, I just want to craft, create, read, explore, pursue my more athletic hobbies. Work gets in the way, if I had more free time I’d mentally and physically thrive

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Bbew_Mot@reddit

I get bored on working days usually!

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Mobile-Quality7471@reddit

Get a hobby, whatever you might like, for me it's football and f1

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Radiant_Fondant_4097@reddit

What is this “free time” you speak of?

My weekends are taken up by my kids, but throughout the week if I’m not spending time with my girlfriend I’m trying to squeeze in time for hobbies at home or trying to get people out for games.

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johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit

Sounds like you need more friends and/or a hobby.

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SeaworthinessNeat516@reddit

Have you considered gaining some vices?

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Puzzleheaded_Turn887@reddit

Wow!! Absolutely not, I feel depressed I have to work! I can’t for everything in on my days off and I don’t have kids.

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Severe_Mastodon8072@reddit

No. I have things I enjoy doing and I appreciate the chance to do them!

I definitely have days where I don’t enjoy the things I normally do, but that’s less boredom and more just low mood.

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Lysadora@reddit

Absolutely not, but I actually enjoy my own company.

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CMDRDrazik@reddit

Learn a new skill, like riding a motorbike. Then go and enjoy a ride on your day off, have a coffee with another biker and reset your mental health

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Dry-Clock-8934@reddit

I don’t get bored but I get paralysed by indecision

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hughesyg@reddit

I basically do nothing all week and I’m very comfortable with it and not bored haha

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Brave_Reaction_4968@reddit

I used to, a bit. I enjoyed work and the dynamic that went with it. And on time off, once I'd caught up on sleep, been to the gym, was kind of at a loose end.

Changed as I got older. I'd gone as far as I wanted to/ needed to at work, and just started finding other things I wanted to do.

I don't work at all now, and absolutely love it. Only get bored on those really cold rainy dark winter days. And then its still quite rare

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Venus_Gospel@reddit

I could have an entire month off work straight, and i’d barely put a dent into 5% of the things I want to do in my video games

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Agreeable_Ad7002@reddit

I'm child free so have plenty of time but I rarely get bored.

If I've nothing social planned I can entertain myself in the comfort of my home by reading/watching telly/gaming.

If I've nothing social planned but don't fancy any of the above I'll maybe go a walk somewhere anything from a short stroll locally to driving somewhere more scenic maybe climb a hill. I'm happy to go see a film on my own, generally aiming for quieter times over busy ones.

Maybe take a jaunt into town to browse in a bookshop, grab a bite to eat maybe lunch or just a snack with a coffee.

If I was getting bored of any of this I might try and develop some other interests.

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Wonderful-Cow-9664@reddit

Christ no! Any time away from work is precious. And any minuscule amount of time I get to just chill and do nothing..
Well that is *sacred*

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Prologic87@reddit

Nope. I have too many hobbies. I don't even have time for them all.

Basically find a hobby. Then find another one. Fill your time with things that make you happy.

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Strict_Ad2788@reddit

Never bored, no. I have too many craft projects/series/books to keep me busy.

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soapyjoe59@reddit

You are obviously living to work, not working to live. You need to think about things more maybe think about a hobby or a sport .

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BeneficialDonut3126@reddit

I can quite honestly say that I would be very happy to sit at home and do absolutely nothing every day for the rest of my life.

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PleasureEmpire_@reddit

Self employed- I try to relax but always end up doing something work related. Still telling myself it will pay off one day 😅

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Designer-Computer188@reddit

If you hate your job enough time away from it will never feel boring

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TheUnSungHero7790@reddit

I don't have time to be bored.

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chocklityclair@reddit

I have 4 days off a week. I've taken a huge drop in salary for that, and I really like my job 😄 But I was just rushing around trying to fit everything into 2 days. Now I can do all my hobbies plus keep the garden under control (that's more of a theoretical benefit tbh), go out for the day for a walk, see friends, visit historical sites or galleries, etc, sit and read in the library cafe, and so on.

I think it's important to have some structure, though.

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chocolate_gal_001@reddit

Never. I love my time away from work

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Affectionate_Ad6864@reddit

Absolutely not lol. I don’t have kids either.

I long for more time off - bike rides, gym, weekends away visiting new places, seeing my friends, seeing my family. Reading books. Watching TV. Walking the dog.

There’s never enough time

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infieldcookie@reddit

Not at all… I’d actually love to have more days off because I feel like weekends and current annual leave allowance isn’t enough. My dream would be to win the lottery and never have to work again.

I think you need to look for something to fill your time more. Hobbies, social events in your area, go on holiday, volunteer.

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EyeAware3519@reddit

Not as bored as I do at work.

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ZeroFraks@reddit

For this reason, I own a motorcycle.

Strap a tent and I disappear for the weekend.

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What I wouldn't give to feel like I even had free time 😂😂

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