I’m bored now…
Three ways I am using my excessive free time
It has been exactly two weeks since I pressed submit on my uni work for the last time. The moment I have been looking forward to for months has arrived - to simply relax. I relaxed for the first week and by the second, I was bored. I have been working towards something since primary school, and while I still have goals and ambitions, there isn’t a precise deadline looming. Last week, I began three new hobbies that is bringing some excitement in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I am loving my free time - I just needed to find something to do with it.
Tennis
I have been itching to take up this sport. I previously did weekly horse riding lessons and as much as I love those sessions, it’s not exactly a cheap sport, so I haven’t done it as regularly as I’d like to. So I decided to incorporate another sport into the mix - tennis. I really admire those who play sports professionally as it requires a lot of physical and mental discipline. Doing tennis during my free time, an hour a day is giving me the amount of structure I need in my life right now.
It’s also good for my mental to try out something I am not necessarily good at. Sometimes we should do thing snot for monetary gain or to inflate our ego - but just because we love it - that is enough. I play with my sister which is some nice bonding time but also a good opportunity to go outside. Having a membership forces me to make the most of the cost by actually using it, while also keeping me fit and active. Honestly, without this, I would happily stay at home, but in this new season of life I am entering, transitioning from student to graduate, all I need right now is some outdoor sun. If tennis isn’t your cup of tea, why not try out your own version of sport like running or football with friends - whatever suits you best!
I have already done a blog post about all I have learnt so far from crocheting so go ahead and check that out. It has become my favourite past time to just sit literally anywhere from my bed or the train, listening to an audiobook and crocheting. I am currently working towards making a pillow, it was supposed to be a cute, little pillow, but I am addicted at this point and the pillow keeps getting bigger and bigger.
As someone who has not allowed myself to happily watch a movie in peace or binge watch a series since the time I started uni, it’s hard to just switch out of that mode. My mind keeps reminding me as I start to indulge in a movie “shouldn’t you be doing something right now? Don’t you have an assignment due?” I am still struggling to fight the guilt every time I relax and am not actively working towards something. However, crochet allows for some relief. Now when I watch a movie, I still feel like I am being productive as I am working on making my pillow - its a win win!
Bible Journaling
This one isn’t exactly a hobby, but it is something I really enjoy doing. It is so easy to get consumed by all the other things we have to do in life and put our Bibles to the side. Even during final hand in season, I made it a rule for myself to pick up my Bible before I pick up my laptop, but I wasn’t spending as much time as I’d like to because the deadline seemed so important. Now that I have the free time, I am incorporating an actual dedicated time to do my Bible study. I like to think of it as a date with God because I get to spend time with Him and learn more about Him. God says to meditate on his words, so that means more than a glance at the verse of the day on our phones.
Now that I have a lot of free time, I am training my lifestyle to incorporate this time. Apparently, it takes 21 days to make something a habit and since I have that time now, I am going to make sure it is a habit before I allow other things like a job take my time - by then, it will be be natural. This has also helped me create a better schedule because Bible study doesn’t happen when you have time, you have to make time. I usually wake up an hour earlier than the time I have to leave somewhere, now I wake up at least an hour and a half earlier so I create time and space with God. It is all about being intentional since that means going to bed a little earlier than 2am (as I had been during study season) to make sure I don’t use my tiredness as an excuse to sleep in.
If you’re like me, maybe these three hobbies might be for you too! Make sure to subscribe to this blog below via email, I am sure I will discover new hobbies and will update you on them soon!
