the first time i noticed it i was 21 years old. i had a good paying job and had just broken up with my girlfriend. and for the first time in my life i had money and nothing to do. i didn’t notice it right away. actually, i didn’t notice it until a friend came over and asked to borrow a shirt. i took him to my closet and i began pulling new shirt after new shirt out of the closet and remarking how i really didn’t like them that much. that’s when my friend said, “too much free time?” and it dawned on me… because i had nothing to do, i was going shopping to fill my time and spending money on things that i really didn’t need. idle time was leading to money spent.
now that i am older, in a career, and have a family, i find myself with less free time and less disposable income. i don’t go shopping to fill my idle time all that often. but the subtly of free time still remains.
many of the things that we use to fill our free time (whether it be a holiday, vacation, or weekend) cost money. we go shopping, see a movie, improve our home, eat out, or continue a hobby.
now, i’m not saying that we should never enjoy some downtime and i know many hard-working, successful individuals who subscribe to the “work hard, play hard” mentality. but as i journey to become minimalist, i have learned to pay closer attention to where my money goes… and idle time seems to have a habit of taking it from me.
since my move to vermont, i have learned to enjoy more outdoor activities (hiking, the beach, etc.) that don’t require money. what are some of the things that you use to fill your idle time that don’t cost any money? i’d love to know…