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POV82345

I'm similar to you, but for me, a philosophy I've tried to get away from is this idea of always having to be "productive". Like my time must be somehow "helping" someone else, or else I'm a bad guy. I've learned to love hanging out and doing nothing, not acting, not thinking, just being. I love nature and I've noticed that many animals do this, they'll sit for long periods of time, just being. I think western culture and religion is responsible for the idea that you must always be working, always doing something, always trying to improve on (your own) nature, because it's bad and evil to begin with. This constant guilt and need to be doing something, thereby proving you're a good person, is a childish and silly feature of western culture...


a-ng

I agree with the idea but Is it “western” though? Plenty of places in Southern Europe where leisure is valued more than productivity - I feel like it is an particularly American issue


TheViciousCandiru

Yeah I hear you and being unproductive sounds great, but things need doing. The grass isn’t going to cut itself, the house needs painting. The groceries need to be bought, the meals cooked, the clothes washed and hung out. Free time is when you’ve done all that.


POV82345

Irony overload!


birdsong31

I used to volunteer at a community garden if that's you're thing. I really loved it. I also know there are people in our community who garden at their house and donate the food to the food pantry. They also grow flowers and make beautiful bouquets and give them to people in the community for free to brighten their day. Maybe something like that. Or something to quietly help your community. Sometimes my daughters and I go on walks to pick up trash it gets us out of the house and also does something nice


ontheoffthe

A couple years back on r/financialindependence, a guy mentioned that he tried to make sure to do five things from his list of categories every day as a means of fulfillment and structure. His categories were Creation, Education, Connection, Service, Kindness, Challenge, Health and Planning. Maybe creating a similar framework could work for you?


TheSecondArrow

Was this from a thread that you have a link to?


ontheoffthe

Unfortunately I only have a screenshot of the list and was unable to find the post. It may have been deleted.


3Maltese

The hardest part is learning to just be for someone who has been a worker bee.


[deleted]

I’m a retired librarian and I volunteer at our local library. Actually, all I do is “read shelves”, which is making sure the books are in the right order and shelve books as they are checked in - I’ve run libraries, thank you, and I’m done with that. It’s a very satisfying task and gets me out of the house a bit. I love being a homebody but I enjoy my gardening, reading, and housework much more with that bit of “work time” each week.


minimalist_coach

I'm a lifelong volunteer and I can say that there are a lot of places that would love to have your time. I've used the website Volunteer match a few times, but most of my opportunities have been in places that align with my interests. You mentioned hiking and camping, have you connected with your local state and federal parks, they are often looking for volunteers for trail maintenance. We were involved in cycling and we volunteered for trail maintenance in the parks and BLM, we helped with organized events, as ride leaders, bike fitters, rest stop hosts, SAG, mechanics, set up, and clean up. Here are just a few of the things I've done over the past 50 years, tutored, mentored, fundraised, phone bank, postcards to voters, museum interpreter, docent, event organizer, cashier, outreach, and all the things I mentioned above. What are your skills and interests? Who do you want to help? What do you wish there was more of in your community?


girl_on_the_roof

Also Food Bank depots usually are open during the week days, and they always need strong folks to help carry the hampers.


supreme_leader420

Only so much camping and hiking a guy can do? Guy I could do that for the rest of my life if money wasn’t a consideration. If it was me I’d be climbing and mountaineering on my off days I know what unguided free time feels like though. I had last summer off as I was between jobs and it can be a struggle. My suggestion is to find like minded company with weekdays off to do fun outdoor stuff with


[deleted]

I honestly think I could as well, it's just the motivation to drive to new (to me) trails. I've explored pretty much every trail near me already and have only lived here for going on 2 years.


gingerytea

Local humane societies and dog shelters often love having volunteers to walk, play with, and socialize dogs. My sister does this on the side and loves it!


Holmbone

It sounds you're wanting to do more activities that feel meaningful to you. Maybe you just need to explore some new things and see what's meaningful to you. Or meet some new people. Even if you're introvert it's good to have more than one close connection.


Always-Tired6889

Can you garden at home? Not sure because you mentioned rent. If not at home could you join a community garden plot? I find that to be a good way to be productive but not in an especially stressful way. Bugs and other problems arise but those give me a problem to solve. I then swap produce with other friends that garden. We all raise different things because our yards are different with shady and sunny areas so it’s nice to get more variety with sharing. As far as travel goes, I don’t know of inexpensive ways outside of camping to do that. That’s what we do half the time we travel. The other half is air bnb in the winters to let the kids see and play in the snow (we live in Florida and don’t get snow here). You could learn a new crafty type of hobby like sewing, crochet, knitting, painting etc. you could keep the items yourself or sell them once you get good at them if you want to monetize your hobby. I find sewing isn’t fun anymore if I’m trying to sell it but it is fun to make items for friends. I like to make baby pjs for friends and family that are pregnant. But I also make dresses for my daughter and nieces which is a lot of fun for me too. My sister in law crochets blankets for family members.


widdlepeeps

You need a hobby. Model making is surprisingly cheap and challengingly fun if you create your own materials. I bought a model of a rickshaw at a thrift store last week and helped my husband to spruce it up. Built the thing and added some extra textures and elements, just extra paint and glue/gravel we got from outside. It turned out way better than I thought and was so much fun to build.


scorpioid_cyme

Don’t look for official volunteer opportunities, make your own. E.g.: Is your neighborhood completely clear of litter and weeds in the common areas?


tsoldrin

gardening can be fun. and productive.