8 Ways to Pass the Time

I was walking through the break room at work a couple weeks ago and as I was grabbing my lunch from the fridge and heating it up in the microwave, I overheard a couple coworkers talking about “passing the time.” I don’t remember exactly what activity they were talking about, just that “it’s a great way to pass the time,” and it got me thinking…

What time is there to just “pass?”

Am I the only one who feels that way?

Maybe it’s because I’m an overachieving workaholic who has more “side hustles” than she can probably count, but I feel like I’m always doing something with a purpose, never to just fill a void of time.

Is that weird?

Now, I’m not saying I never relax, but when I think about it, even my activities to help me relax have that purpose behind them; it isn’t just about filling some unknown amount of time until it’s time to eat, go to bed, or head to work.

Does anyone else feel that way?

Regardless, I thought I’d share a few ways in which I “pass the time” with purpose…

1. Read

I read while I’m walking on the treadmill or before bed, and I even listen to audio books as a way to help pass the time during my commute to work.

2. Write

Obviously this is usually for my blog, Daily Aspire, or a freelance article, but I swear time just flies by when I’m writing.

3. Netflix

Let me be clear, very rarely do I watch Netflix where that’s the only thing I’m doing. I know that’s probably bad, but it makes some great background entertainment while I’m doing something else…like what’s next.

4. Craft

Lately that has meant cross-stitching letters for the quilt that I am making my grandmother. I have a ways to go but it’s been super relaxing at the end of a long day, to do a little cross-stitch while watching ‘New Girl.’ (Side note: when I first started watching ‘New Girl’ I really wasn’t sure about it, but I gave a few episodes a chance and now I love it!)

5. Puzzles

I love puzzles! I actually often forget how much I love them until I start one and get so obsessed I don’t do anything else until I finish it. After finishing a puzzle earlier this year in 36 hours, I decided I better take a break. ha!

6. Get Active

Whether you’re going out for a walk or run, practicing yoga or heading to your favorite group fitness class, being active is probably one of the best ways I can think of to pass the time because you’re also doing something super healthy for your body!

7. Clean & Organize

What? Just me? I don’t love to clean, but I do love the feeling of a clean and organized home so even just taking a few minutes to pick up or clean the bathroom, or even taking an afternoon to finally clean out the closet that somehow got out of control, is a great way to pass time!

8. Take a class

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the older I get, the more I want to learn. It feels a lot harder to “find the time” (ironic isn’t it?), but my list of books to read or topics to research almost feels never ending. While school may have felt like a drag when we were “forced” to go, I find it so enjoyable as an adult when the pressure is off…at least until we decide to go back to school and put that pressure back on. ha!

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How do you enjoy passing the time?

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