Where Do You Get Freetime?

kimmar

I don't ask this question to be judgmental, so don't get that idea.  (I always feel like I need to preface things on this forum for some reason  ).

Anyways, I'm just curious about something.  Where do a lot of you guys get the free time to do the things you do?  I'm talking about gaming, forums, Internet, television, etc.

I'm not whining about not having any time to myself, I'm mostly cool with things.  I'm just wondering how come I seem to be so different.  I just find my life to be a busy hectic rush mostly.

I would like more free time, but it seems somehow I'm always right on from one task then another.  I'm actually stealing time to make this comment (and feeling somewhat guilty for it.)

Maybe I work too hard.  Maybe I spend too much time around my boys.  Maybe I take too good of care of my husband.  Maybe I shouldn't cook for my family every night (I've thought about that a lot).  Maybe I shouldn't sit at the "homework table" with my kids every school night working through things with them.  Maybe spending 10 hours at work each day is just too much (yet we wouldn't have our house and good schools for my boys without it).

I guess in a way I am sort of whining.  I will get over it though.  I just feel sort of burned out on life lately.  It seems like all the work is just to pay more and work some more.  I feel like a drone at times.

Has it always been this way?  Or is this just a new societal phenomenon?  All those old days farmers look so layed back in their pictures. 

DarkerFate

I don't exactly post a lot on this forum, but I do read inordinate amounts of forum threads.  And I play far too many games and I watch just about anything that's fun for me.

Now, how do I get time for all that.  I'm far too lazy for my own good.  I've just about destroyed myself in the process and I can't find the power to turn back.  I do have a full-time job, but I have no social life.

Well, I have a online social life, but that doesn't really count.  No human interaction, just words against words.

Illius

When it comes to the time to post here or game or what not it all depends on the stage of life you're in.  I'm in my early 20's, I have no family to worry about, no kids to help with homework and nobody to cook for other then myself.  Even then I live close enough to my parents that I can just run over there and grab a bite and not feel guilty because my mom says she no longer sees me as much as she used to.

As it stands now, I'm between jobs.  I have very few responsibilities and they are relatively easy to take care of.  Once they're out of the way I have all the time I need to post here, or play games which ironically I don't do as much as I used to, or sleep.

When you think about it, was your life always the way it is even when you were my age?  What were you doing when you were 20something?  For all I know this might be a moot point since perhaps it was always like this for you but... hell I don't know.

The way I see it, your kids will get older and eventually they'll move on with their own lives or at least as they get older they'll demand less of you and you'll get more freedom.  Question is will you know what to do with said freedom?

Vemoi

Do you have a job? I assume from your post that you are a stay at home mom. (if so, I commend you). You have to realize there are many that have internet access at work and lots of time there to surf.

I personally live a simplistic life. No desire to keep up with the Jones. I could have moved to an urban area and worked in electronics but chose to stay out of the rat race. This leaves me far more free time which I value much more than high pay. If you save and invest wisely, anyone can do it. My opinion is you are right about sociaty causeing a lot of this problem.

Don't know if you read but one time saver I have used in the past few yew years is podcasting and listening to audiobooks. Now I can listen to a book while doing work at home. Work and entertainment in one.

Don't get stuck thinking "why is everyone else happy and I am not?" Most of us have our problems even though it isn't always seen, unless you know the person.

shae

It's all life style choice isn't it?

I went to school for a long time, I studied insane hours, worked side jobs that paid complete crap, even worse worked for free on projects to gain experience so I didn't look like such a douche bag during interviews... all to now be in the industry that I've wanted to work in forever and have the type of life style that I wanted.

For the most part I can now get in the office when I want, leave when I want (naturally almost always way late), I've stayed more or less single, I've decided on waiting to start a family (husband, kids) and my time is pretty much my own.

I'm not much of a party girl, never really have been, so I spend nights and evenings on my computer, 360 or PS3, my site/blog and yada yada, whatever else I feel like.

So I think it's just do some people make different choices, you've obviously decided to put your family ahead of yourself quite often, which is inredibly admirable (SP?) I find and if you ask me you've all the rights in the world to bitch about it now and then.

It's not fair to compare to some of us who have basically run aware from such responsibilities , I am personally way to selfish with my time !

Teala

Make the time.  

demonslyer

Originally posted by Teala


Make the time.  

 

pretty much. i get more free time when i don't work and all my buddy's work so we don't really hang out. i got a lot of time on my hands now. A little to much -_- but ooo well i can always take a nap or play some paintball

Draenor

I'm on summer vacation and am not working very regularly...once school starts (August 26th) I won't be posting even half as much...18 units + working 20ish hours a week = no time for forums.

Illius

The problem with having a lot of time on my hands is that it can get a bit boring.  A good portion of my friends are at work while I'm taking my sweet time and these forums can only do so much to quell the boredom.

Sure it's nice to be able to sleep a ton but when you wake up your buddies are usually at work or too damn tired to do anything until the weekend so I might as well just go back to work.

olddaddy

Originally posted by kimmar


,,,,,,Maybe I shouldn't sit at the "homework table" with my kids every school night working through things with them.....

 

You may want to re-think this strategy.

My wife did this with my oldest daughter, when she went to college she failed her first semester because she could not adjust to setting her own structure regarding when, where, and how to study and do homework. Eventually she failed college, and has no degree, because she failed at independant focus.

My next two kids were raised the way I was raised. They were responsible for setting their own structure to study and do homework. They set the time and place, and worked independantly. When they needed help they came to either myself or my wife, and we made the time to help them. Now they are at college and doing quite well. They recognize when they need help, and seek it out thru classmates or tutors. My middle daughter has one degree, and is pursuing a second, and my son is studying engineering.