Fill your free time with purpose and find the source of inward joy
Preface
This post is the seventh and the last one in a series and is based on my pdf-guide ‘7 challenges to make almost everything a bit better’. You can download it from here. This guide is an attempt to show that living healthier, happier and caring about our future on this planet is not difficult. It does not call for fancy diets, prescription pills, hippie lifestyle or expensive ‘green’ gear.
There are a couple of rather basic but paramount things we can do that have a positive effect on several aspects of our lives. And in here, they are called challenges (because who doesn’t like a nice challenge?).
Challenge 7: Find the source of your inward joy.
Once you have decluttered your house, cut down distractions and have a schedule to enjoy your digital presence, you will have extra time on your hands. It can be that you already know how to spend it. If not, it is important to have a plan. Otherwise, you risk picking up your phone, laptop or a remote control again.
In his book, Gary Rogowski says that long ago, we have learned to think by using our hands, not the other way around. In other words, human became human thanks to the manual work, not thanks to sitting and thinking. So, it only makes sense to use this regained time to roll up your sleeves and do something!
From ‘Why make if I can buy’ to ‘Why buy if I can make’.
If there is one type of activity that can save you money, make you healthier and preserve our natural resources, it is hassling in the kitchen. Cooking your meals is, of course, on the top of that list. But there is also baking, making your own pasta (it is way simpler than you imagine), preparing your own desserts, fermenting and preserving. Make you own jam. In the end, someone must carry the legacy of your granny.
Not far from the kitchen activities stands gardening or growing your own food. It does not have to be a lot and your vegetable patch can fit on your windowsill. It re-establishes your connection with the ingredients and, frankly, once you add the results of your labour onto your plate (even if those are only a couple of basil leaves) you get a feeling of being omnipotent. Because come what may, if you know how to feed yourself by planting a single seed you can whether any storms of life.
The third activity with the largest impact is repairing the stuff you own and making it last longer. Clothes, furniture, electronics, toys — you can find a ‘how to’ for everything nowadays. It can even be an opportunity to socialise if you attend one of the repair events that are being organised more and more often. It saves you money, it saves humanity resources, you learn something new and you draw satisfaction from the result and the process.
Demanding activity brings more satisfaction than passive consumption.
Leisure?
Leisure has an important role to play in our lives. A wise man [1] once advised to spend time on the craftmanship and activities that provide the source of inward joy — only those in the end make you happy and make a life meaningful. In addition to the source of inward joy, leisure provides a much-needed brake for your brain, stimulates formation of new neural pathways and just relaxes you.
It is up to you to find what is that source of inward joy for you, but keep it screen free. It can be your old hobbies or things you have never tried but always wanted to. It does not have to have a purpose, enjoying the process is what matters the most.
Actions
1. Think about activities or hobbies which brings you joy and satisfaction and is ‘screen-free’. Plan them in. For example, just before sleeping, when you have your screen free time anyway.
2. Make a list of 7 things you always wanted to try but never did. Try them in the next 70 days. Which one has a potential to become your new hobby?
3. Start doing.
[1]Aristotle
