
Of course, it’s impossible to make time, what I mean is we (or at least I) need to spend our time more productively.
We all have a lot of calls on our time not least we need to sleep. A massive waste of time but you can’t survive without it. For me then next biggest call on my time is work. I complain about my job but on occasions I really like it and it pays well so I should stop moaning. Add to that eating and other bodily functions. Then there is the joys of domestic tasks. I do most the cooking and, on the whole, enjoy it but I loath cleaning however it must be done. Fortunately, my wife shares the cleaning and takes care of the laundry.
Now if I where to add that up it still leaves quiet a bit of time for writing. However, there are other things I want to spend time on. For a start my family, although that was easier when I had the boat as it something we all enjoyed together. I also need time to exercise now with my new healthy lifestyle. I am also a great believer in down time. For me it’s mainly computer games and reading, a fair amount of time is wasted on the T.V.
Now I have tried to double up on some tasks for example while watching T.V I try to keep up with my blog. I can walk the dog and exercise at the same time. I use swimming and walking as thinking time for my writing. I keep up with my radio shows while cooking.
Despite all this I still don’t give enough to writing. I have long discovered I can only write in short concentrated bursts, If I write for more than about an hour the quality plummets (yes I can write even worse than this!) The main time I write my book is in the morning before work. I tend to write for my blog at the weekends. My new wheeze now is to spend a day of my week off (wahoo have a week off!) writing enough articles to last a half term. Then using the time in the rest of the week to work on the book. I’m going to break up the morning with dog walking and swimming as well as some work I’ve had to take home. I’m hoping to do two or three hours in short burst in the morning and leave the afternoons free.
Well I let you know how it gets on. Although the week will be over by the time this appears on my blog.
How do you all find time to write or whatever your hobby is?
You are planning very well Eric 🙂
I don’t watch TV, which I also found was a huge waste of time, but I do read news online instead.
I try to manage my online time, otherwise I don’t get much else done, no matter how good intentions.
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If the wasted time helps helps you relax then I don’t think it’s totally wasted but I know what you mean about losing time on line
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I do know, that many relax in front of the TV, but I fall asleep, which doesn’t use to be the meaning, while watching. I prefer to be active in one or another way and relax mentally there.
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That makes sense.
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In retirement I have time to do all the things I had no time for before. Good, thought-provoking post, Eric
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Thanks that’s very kind of you. I have another 12 1/2 years to go, unless I sell my book for a decent amount. 😉
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🙂
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If it causes stress to find time to do a hobby, the hobby becomes work and less enjoyable. I write when I can, when the mood strikes, but then I don’t do it for a living.
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I see your point of view, a hobby should be a chore, but if you love dong it but can’t get the time then that can become stressful.
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So true, I have gone throigh times when I cannot do things I love doing and whether it is blogging, sewing, drawing or other, it is depressing and stressful.
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Good luck!
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It was last week, the first few days where great then I got a bad cold. I still got a fair bit of writing done but not as much exercise.
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Ah shame- but that’s understandable- I hope you’re better!
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Yeah it was only a cold which is a bit of an occupational hazard.
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It really is so difficult to fill your time productively! There are always so many other things that call for your attention and after having done with them all, I seldom feel like being creative and just want to slump down in front of the TV. LOL! Like you I have those short-time energy bursts, and I try to work those off early in the morning so nothing else hinders my plans – and this works only every so often! 😀
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I used to have such good writing routines. Now I have 2 daughters. The two things sorta don’t work together.
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That must be really hard. I think it your circumstances I might be tempted to nip to the library and do some writing.
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All we can do is try. Even in the mornings I have to stop myself going on social media and do some writing. At least with some of you creations they are away from a computer.
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