tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post6430772689087929972..comments2024-01-11T11:41:22.827+01:00Comments on Dream On: On Spare TimeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-18711398821811099432014-12-15T18:07:36.385+01:002014-12-15T18:07:36.385+01:00It is so easy to be lazy isn't it? Especially ...It is so easy to be lazy isn't it? Especially at certain times of the day, as I have noticed in my case. So much easier to just browse on the phone or laptop than to make a decision to do something. And then we end up complaining we don't have enough time to do this or that :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-8130592072347355222014-12-15T12:11:09.646+01:002014-12-15T12:11:09.646+01:00I realize that when I do have spare time, it's...I realize that when I do have spare time, it's defaulted to the phone and computer even though I have no plans of what I should be doing there. It's crazy how easy it is to be lazy.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09749027762662012409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-16612737745887826362014-12-15T12:10:09.232+01:002014-12-15T12:10:09.232+01:00I so agree with you. Thanks for the reminder. I so agree with you. Thanks for the reminder. Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09749027762662012409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-91294869023371196672014-12-12T16:15:33.338+01:002014-12-12T16:15:33.338+01:00That's the one I use too, I LOVE it!! It used ...That's the one I use too, I LOVE it!! It used to block me from sites all the time in the beginning, but now I hardly ever even notice that it is active anymore. I have it set to a maximum of 30 minutes each day on my favourite time-wasting websites (combined). Majahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07003238334988052560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-17565070277826583692014-12-12T16:06:52.712+01:002014-12-12T16:06:52.712+01:00I'm so happy to hear it was helpful for you :)...I'm so happy to hear it was helpful for you :) I completely agree on the "finding time to just be" thing. Sometimes I feel this is missing from our modern, fast paced lives. Good luck with organizing the holiday season!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-90646484408840848652014-12-12T16:05:16.880+01:002014-12-12T16:05:16.880+01:00Ah that's a good suggestion, thank you! Right ...Ah that's a good suggestion, thank you! Right now i'm focused on defining time periods in my day where hte laptop is completely banned, but I definitely need to look into that kind of options for the times I am using my laptop. Thanks for the tip ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-32081491190746203252014-12-11T20:25:19.575+01:002014-12-11T20:25:19.575+01:00I needed this story right now. Have been feeling ...I needed this story right now. Have been feeling overwhelmed with the holidays and keeping up with day to day things which include all the online time. I have slowly been cutting back on some of my blog reading (but am loving yours so keeping this one!!). I hope to some day have more time to just "be". Thanks for the inspiration!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-46199807547442717082014-12-11T16:08:12.815+01:002014-12-11T16:08:12.815+01:00I use an extension for Chrome "StayFocusd&quo...I use an extension for Chrome "StayFocusd" at work to keep me from browsing blogs and social networks (pinterest is a time stealer) while working. You install it and set a time limit (or no limit) and define which sites are allowed or not allowed. When time expires, you can no longer see those sites...the screen just says: Shouldn't you be working????? (don't know if you can change that frase, but it would be fun if you colud adapt it to what it is you'de like to be doing instead). Of course you can change your settings, but only on the next day, so it helps with auto-control. It's really a bummer sometimes - you wish you had time just to see that another post, but in the end, I never change it the next day, because I remind myself that I have work to do, and I want to get it done so I can go home earlier and be with my family. <br />Cristianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15011833701024737012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-35227763950091072362014-12-11T14:04:17.425+01:002014-12-11T14:04:17.425+01:00Thanks for sharing, I see what you mean about the ...Thanks for sharing, I see what you mean about the disappearance of week-end mornings :) I hope that works well for you too!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-15388094497154135272014-12-11T14:03:37.817+01:002014-12-11T14:03:37.817+01:00Oh I see what you mean about how little time there...Oh I see what you mean about how little time there is left for other activities :) I feel I sleep better and wake up earlier too, when I stop using screens early enough in the evening. And morning time is so much more productive. Thanks for sharing, it makes me feel more confident that I'll make it too :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-89223343033966629162014-12-11T14:01:00.507+01:002014-12-11T14:01:00.507+01:00It's definitely something I couldn't live ...It's definitely something I couldn't live without either, disturbing indeed...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-13354664227264597392014-12-11T14:00:24.326+01:002014-12-11T14:00:24.326+01:00I'm glad to hear it, I'd love to read abou...I'm glad to hear it, I'd love to read about your own computer screen time limiting once you've tested things out to see how the experiment turns out :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-74742310904751549332014-12-11T13:58:02.557+01:002014-12-11T13:58:02.557+01:00Thanks for sharing your experience, I see what you...Thanks for sharing your experience, I see what you mean here, it's happened to me a ew times too. I think that touches on the interesting topic of the paradox of simplicity/minimalism towards objects. In a way they aren't important and we should be focusing our time and energy on other topics that matter, but on the other hand we do need objects, and they do make our everyday life more joyful when they are well chosen so we should spend time selecting what we surround ourselves with.<br /><br />In the end I've come to the theory that it is worthwhile to "invest" some time initially in understanding how objects are made, the brands, where to find small creators and craftsmen, what are my preferences (in other words, where and how to find the objects that do fill my needs or bring me joy). Then, when I know myself, spend much less time on material items because (most of the time) I know where to look when I need something, and I know when I stumble upon something that is worth buying. For example in your case, after the initial "time investment", when you stumbled upon the things you liked to replace your old stuff, you would have bought them straight away without wasting time on it because you'd know yourself enough to be sure it's a reasonable and joyful purchase. But on other cases you'd know it's just a "fling" want and wait it out. If it makes any sense...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-23623415852552408292014-12-11T13:50:17.127+01:002014-12-11T13:50:17.127+01:00I love this idea as well! There is some self fulfi...I love this idea as well! There is some self fulfillment and contentment in creating something (anything really), and it surely is more gratifying to feel like we are spending our free time building something rather than just consuming (information or other stuff). Very good idea, now the trick is to find a creative activity that works with a time of the day when we are rather tired and need rest/calm. Maybe something crafty...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-14087075858798781052014-12-11T13:47:27.366+01:002014-12-11T13:47:27.366+01:00I see what you mean when you say it can hardly be ...I see what you mean when you say it can hardly be true that you have no free time, I have felt the same when I realized my writing project started in August 2013 wasn't even halfway yet 'it's impossible that I have no time to write, in a country like mine where we work less than 40 hours a week and given that I have no children'. <br /><br />i'm glad to hear that a bit of "self discipline" and planning help reclaiming your free time, thanks for your input! I'm hoping it will help with mine too :) How I love that feeling that you have several hours stretching out in front of you and no obligations: you can do whatever you want... It 's a shame when it ends up being sucked by the laptop.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-1550248364773686822014-12-11T13:36:31.584+01:002014-12-11T13:36:31.584+01:00Oh I've been tempted to use one of these progr...Oh I've been tempted to use one of these programs as well, especially when I'm trying to pick up the writing habit again - I turn on the laptop in the morning hoping to move forward with writing my short story and I end up browsing the internet until it's time to get ready for work... I was told about a program called OmmWriter, for the specific purpose of writing on the laptop (it can be used to prepare blog posts or for more extensive writing like short stories and novels), it basically goes full screen, with a nice background music if need be, to focus on the activity, and not be tempted to juggle with tabs and check facebook or news feeds at the same time. I wonder if a "timer" for the laptop time would work too. Maybe a good old alarm instead of a fancy program? Definitely worth digging into in any case, thanks for the input :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-39413771182426594082014-12-11T13:31:57.660+01:002014-12-11T13:31:57.660+01:00I should move my laptop time limit earlier too, li...I should move my laptop time limit earlier too, like you :) It's a good point that when we work in front of a computer all day we surely need a rest, but I'm like you, naturally attracted to it as soon as I come home. It's a good idea to try and find replacement activities for the evening, it gives a good reason to do something else than browsing on the web. I've been going out more often too these days, but I like spending my evenings at home too, so there is a balance to be found indeed :) I hope you find something that works well for you!<br />PS: I miss Jess's blogs too, if we are talking about the same one ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-57070924391849310402014-12-11T13:27:44.894+01:002014-12-11T13:27:44.894+01:00Oh I remember you one week phone hiatus experiment...Oh I remember you one week phone hiatus experiment. It was so interesting. I ahve also noticed a sneaky increase of phone/iPad use since I've set up these laptop rules, that's why I've extended them to all screens (except for TV if it means finally watching this film I've had on my radar for months or finally picking up the console again). I'm thinking it probably takes time to make that rule stick on the long term as you say about the phone After all, at least for me, it's almost automatic to turn the laptop on when I'm on my couchling after cleaning up dinner, and surfing while a TV series is running on the TV, that it takes a conscious effort to think "hey, no laptop! let's turn it off now". I'm really hoping that once it takes root, it become automatic to leave the laptop behind and it doesn't require as much energy as it does today.<br /><br />I was thinking I could focus on what I wanted to do with my time instead. For me the most ciritcal time wasting moment of the day is the evening, because we have long days that end late here in Paris - I usually come back from work around 8PM. So all I'm dreaming of is a good dinner and some "brainless" activities. I need to figure out what can work for me at that time, that matters more than internet browsing. Maybe some DIY stuff, some creative activity that is more manual and doesn't require a lot of brain power... If I was living with my fiancé I'd probably be like you: just spend the night with him :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-79030698159715847922014-12-11T12:47:22.067+01:002014-12-11T12:47:22.067+01:00This post hit home with me as I have found my week...This post hit home with me as I have found my weekend mornings disappearing more and more often this year. Mornings are usually my most productive part of the day, so my overall productivity has dropped. I then complain about how my job leaves me no time for doing the things I really want in life. Thank you for a very eye-opening post! Time to set rules and a schedule for my internet time.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05365061518771509822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-92114896774440348872014-12-11T12:43:33.395+01:002014-12-11T12:43:33.395+01:00I love this idea! What a great mantra!I love this idea! What a great mantra!Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05365061518771509822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-14488993354231628152014-12-11T03:34:30.634+01:002014-12-11T03:34:30.634+01:00When I started full time work this year, I found t...When I started full time work this year, I found that I had to consciously limit screen time at home, else my other hobbies would fall by the wayside. Overall, it's been quite successful - I for the most part don't use my computer at home anymore, which frees up my time and hands to knit and sew (my two hobbies that aren't computer-related). I even bought textbooks so that I wouldn't look things up online. We still have the TV on, but I have never been a big TV watcher, so the fiance usually has some sport on.<br /><br />I now sleep better and get up earlier. Sometimes I am too tired after work to knit or sew, but it is an activity I can now do in the morning (it surprised me that I could get up early enough to do these things!). I don't miss my internet time that much, although there was a lot of getting used to initially.Nyssa Jaynehttp://www.shoesandblues.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-33168437225426628272014-12-10T19:48:53.820+01:002014-12-10T19:48:53.820+01:00Once again, it seems like you read my mind. I thin...Once again, it seems like you read my mind. I think you've also pointed out what my "next step" should be: limiting screen time! It can definitely be a complete time-suck, and I know that my non-computer related activities have suffered because of it. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00413377943169576514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-16485865067947645092014-12-10T19:28:27.216+01:002014-12-10T19:28:27.216+01:00To add to what you said about overthinking purchas...To add to what you said about overthinking purchases—my very recent experience:<br /><br />I have recently decided that some of the things I own I dislike / are tattered. I've finally decided that I should replace them with things I actually like and looked for such things. I found things I liked. BUT, at the same time, I was also reading a lot of The Minimalists blog, where they go on and on about only owning what you need. The result? I've spent almost TWO WEEKS obsessing over the items that I found. Sounds ridiculous, right?<br /><br />Yes, it WAS. In the end, I bought the things—when I've realised that it makes me much more miserable to be "minimalist" and not get them. I'm not saying "let's buy everything we want, now!", but I don't want to spend my entire days thinking about shopping! So, my new strategy is to get things that I want, within reason. I would hope that by now I'm already enough of a conscious consumer and am not going to end up just buying things on a whim. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-44321406250323108642014-12-10T18:59:51.918+01:002014-12-10T18:59:51.918+01:00I'm a different Jess, but I agree - I miss her...I'm a different Jess, but I agree - I miss her blogs too! :PJessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-11924269722754061992014-12-10T18:28:39.689+01:002014-12-10T18:28:39.689+01:00I'm really excited to embrace and live this: w...I'm really excited to embrace and live this: when in doubt/fear/sadness/lethargy, create. Create a better self, create content, create something. When I get home, there's too many hours spent scrolling social media and Tumblr. Instead I should create the content I want to see. So far I haven't produced anything yet, but this new mantra helped me find the drive to finish editing my travel photos. Let's hope it grows into more creativity for 2015!<br /><br />Shutterbug Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14753859006730802394noreply@blogger.com