Stopping yourself from wasting time?

Life seems busier than ever and I don't even have kids.

During the pandemic I got 2+ hours of my day back from no travel, that's still the case now 4 days a week - that time was glorious, it's now all but disappeared and I'm not sure where!

As I've gotten a bit older, I've been more conscious of taking time to "relax" but I'm always amazed by how quickly others seem to get through reading a book, playing a game, watching a new film, series etc.

After a long chat with the other half a few nights ago, we both came to the conclusion that maybe, we just spent time, wasting time, without realising it.

After day of tidying clutter and stuff yesterday we put on two films that have sat there for an age, ordered a pizza and watched them back to back. I can't remember the last time that happened. Is it organisation, determination, burnout?

Procrastination. Task avoidance. Could be any number of things. I'd recommend reading atomic habits by James clear or take a look YouTube channels better than yesterday or Ali abdaal. There are a number of books like this but that's the one I've read and it's made me more productive in general so I've stopped wasting time as much albeit I still find time to relax / veg out as much as the next person.
 
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I’ve thought the same over the last year.
Spent a lot less time playing games, binging TV shows and giving in to instant gratification with things like food.

If I’m being honest I don’t really feel much different for it. It’s also hard to replace that time with something “meaningful” and it can end up feeling forced. There’s been a big surge in “hustle culture” in recent years and it feels like if you aren’t spending every minute doing something productive you’re a failure.
 
I think people can have a tendency to waste time by over-researching something, or over-browsing. There’s an enjoyment to be had in it for sure, like researching a new PC build or hi-fi system, but you don’t need to do it with thermos flasks, door mats and bin liners.

Wife asked today whether I liked a mirror she had found online. My first thought was “but what about all the other options?!” but I did, for once, correct my tendency to investigate all options and said she should go for it :)

You are absolutely correct with this.

The infinite choice made easily accessible by the internet has made life markedly worse.
 
People are just wired different I guess.

Went to the beach today did some swimming and sand castle building (sort of) got back out on the decking and the sun is shining, I put some Journey on and crack a beer and just say there.

And I mean for like an hour and a half, only moving to get another beer

Mrs on the other hand just can't sit still, constantly faffing with something.
 
Is there a "right" way to spend your time?

I think it needs to be structured otherwise you end up with a massive pile of things to do and at least with myself I will just end up slothing on games etc (Which isn't a bad thing in moderation). My missus was always nagging for things to get done so bought a calendar and have jobs written on it.

I find now that when holidays come around we have much more time to relax rather than using them to catch up with things that I should have done earlier.
 
I'm guilty of going down the YouTube rabbit hole on a regular basis. I still make sure that I socialise outside of work twice a week (pub or cafe) and I'm going on hotel breaks and clubbing on a semi regular basis. But yes if I'm not going out, then I'm just sat at my PC for most of the evening. I walk 1, 1.5 or 2 miles most nights to stay slightly active.
 
I think people can have a tendency to waste time by over-researching something, or over-browsing. There’s an enjoyment to be had in it for sure, like researching a new PC build or hi-fi system, but you don’t need to do it with thermos flasks, door mats and bin liners.

Wife asked today whether I liked a mirror she had found online. My first thought was “but what about all the other options?!” but I did, for once, correct my tendency to investigate all options and said she should go for it :)
Guilty of this often, wife wants to buy something but I need research the hell out of it first.
 
I think one issue is that thanks to the internet (or rather, easy access to the internet via smart devices etc) it's very easy to 'waste' time. There's an endless supply of 'boredom relief' at our fingertips which simply wasn't there 25+ years ago, the closest thing was probably satellite TV which wasn't that commonplace and even that you were at the mercy of whatever had been curated for you.

Essentially excessive procrastination used to eventually result in boredom that would sort of stir oneself into action, but now there is the potential to just use up a whole day without leaving your bed except to tend to bodily functions, with no risk of boredom.
 
I think people can have a tendency to waste time by over-researching something, or over-browsing. There’s an enjoyment to be had in it for sure, like researching a new PC build or hi-fi system, but you don’t need to do it with thermos flasks, door mats and bin liners.

Wife asked today whether I liked a mirror she had found online. My first thought was “but what about all the other options?!” but I did, for once, correct my tendency to investigate all options and said she should go for it :)
That I believe is a direct consequence of the amount of absolute garbage that gets produced. At least for me.

If you don't research something you're far more likely to get something that barely works, and probably only for a couple months at that.

The world is full of marketplaces selling dross. Even badly-made electrical stuff that can be downright dangerous, too...
 
Time is never wasted if you’re doing something you want to do.
I'm not sure that's true. My kids want to play on their iPads all day but it's just meaningless time sat with an empty brain. If you force them to get moving and make memories they are happier. They would have wasted time doing what they wanted.
 
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