I have too much time

[marquislemal]

So a couple days ago I successfully quit video games. Now I’m lost. I have so much time. What should I do? I don’t want to scroll on my phone all day or just sleep all day. I have been doing a few hobbies here and there but after playing the piano for an hour I get tired and want to move on to other activities.

[wheatbiscuit]

I think it's pretty awesome to get in a shameless hour of piano-playing (I can kind of 'sight read' still) regularly. Keep it up IMO.

Writing and/or drawing might work too, whether or not anyone else but you is going to read it. A picture and a made-up story, or a running-thought journal to move your hand and brain for some momentum.

Then there's reading, obviously. I like fiction for the escapism, but non-fictional (and slightly embellished) stories like 'Monkey Mind - A Memoir of Anxiety' (no joke) I just read was a lot of fun.

Good luck this weekend. 

Edit/P.S. ANY safe physical exercise to test capabilities.

Edited August 2 by wheatbiscuit

[pdallair91]

I don’t want to [...] just sleep all day. [...] after playing the piano for an hour I get tired and want to move on to other activities

Friend, if you feel tired, then you have every reason to rest.  First of all, you do not have to be "productive" all the time, not all of your behavior needs to serve a "greater purpose".  The idea that sloth is sinful and "hard" work is salvation (Puritan/Protestant work ethic) is just that, an idea, not a fact.  Second, it is quite reasonable to assume gaming was an escape from the exhaustion (emotional and physical) of everyday life you now face.  It will take some time to find a new healthier balance and there will often be things hindering that balance.  It's only been a couple of days, it will take longer to find what you need and feel less "lost".

That said, if you are just looking for more ideas for hobbies/pass-times, you can always google workshops/courses/clubs in your area.  It's surprising how some are low-cost or almost free.  Personally, one thing I tend to enjoy and want to get more into is improv.  I try to go to "jams" (open get-togethers) once a week and go see a show now and then.  I do need to push myself a bit, social anxiety and low self-esteem can be a hindrance but I have proven some pre-suppositions wrong at times (i.e., things went better than expected).  I hope to make friends in the long term, friends that I can hang out and talk with outside of improv events.

It's been ~2 weeks since you created this thread.  I hope you are doing well.  Good luck going forward mate.

[Wildermyth]

I encourage you to pursue at least one hobby that is difficult to learn and feels somewhat exhausting to do. You need to reinforce behaviours that release serotonine, as you've been so used to depleting your dopamine reserves to only feel pleasure. True happiness and contentment comes from the inside and specific activities can help pave the way for this transformation. It can be anything from studying, exercising, playing an instrument or being creative in various ways. And it sounds like you might want to engage with something outside of your home that might take up more of your time than playing the piano for a few hours. Maybe try hiking, skiing, strength training or something of that sort? Finding friends to do an activity together is of course also great. 🙂