Panicking about how to spend rare free time
When unexpected free time finally appears, people often spend the majority of it just panicking over what to choose rather than enjoying it. This anxiety leads to the time running out before accomplishing anything, preventing them from actually relaxing or getting needed sanity time.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1taking a hot bath or showerDid this help you?
- 2watching TV shows or movies uninterruptedDid this help you?
- 3taking a napDid this help you?
- 4leaving the house so chores cannot be doneDid this help you?
- 5Doing big tasks around the houseDid this help you?
- 6Exceptions for things like the kids' sporting events, holidays, and the occasional days that we all go out and do something togetherDid this help you?
- 7Doing a ton of running for hours after work instead.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“You'll probably spend 2 hours panicking about what to do for 2 hours, and then it's over.”source ↗
“She doesn't like the idea of having a dedicated day and would rather we both spend Saturday/Sunday together with the kid.”source ↗
“I told her that while I wish I could spend all day/every day with the kid I need a dedicated day if I want to get anything done (whether it be doing big tasks around the house, working on my career or simply having some sanity time).”source ↗
“Summer with the kids has lead to wayyyyy too much stuff and not enough down time so I barely played this summer.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 91How to decide whether to invest excess savings or keep them in an HYSA
- 7How are you actually supposed to spend invested money?
- 3How can I take a long break to travel without losing my job?
- 40Why are teachers expected to be available 24/7?
- 2Can you get fired for using sick days for mental health?
- 2Why do I have no free spending cash?