When we have free time on our hands, we have millions of different options to choose from. We could start reading a new bestseller that has seemingly been on everyone’s lips for the last few weeks. We might decide to simply sit and binge watch our favorite TV shows all day. We might decide to research recipes or take care of our household matters. We might decide to start planning this year’s summer vacation…the list could go on.

If I’m honest, I typically don’t know what to do with my free time, so I get bored and then annoyed and anxious that I can’t figure out what to do. I want to do something, but I don’t want to do anything that would require too much effort. I think this is why so many of us sit and look at our phones so much.

So how do we break this cycle and use our free time in the best manner possible? After reflecting on this, I decided the best thing would be to use this time to participate in activities that grant us self-support. Something we enjoy, and which could also potentially help us actualize our full potential. Here are some suggestions we could consider:

Exercise &Meditation

Exercise and Meditation are obviously two amazing practices to take part in because they can support you through a range of tumultuous issues. However, these two activities don’t always have to be separate. I’ve loved learning the benefits of yoga to improve my health and general mindset. And while I know some people don’t think Christianity and Yoga meditation don’t mix, I think there can be a space for both. How so? Well, my version of meditation doesn’t focus on becoming one with the Universe, but rather becoming one with the One who created the universe. My meditation is fully prayer based. It’s a time for me to talk with God about what’s going on in my life and then be still and listen to what He has to say. So in that sense of the word in mind, I love participating in yoga classes, spending some quite time meditating with God, and then getting to know new friends after class! It’s a great way to re-center at any point in the week.

Expressive Hobby

One area of my life that I LOVED growing in is expressing myself through journaling and writing. Over the last few years I started developing this blog, dedicated many hours to prayer journaling and studying the Bible, worked on my upcoming book, and I have to tell you…I have seen so much personal growth come from it.

Doing something that allows us to express our emotions in a creative way is more important than we realize, and yet we so often overlook it. Maybe it’s time to give yourself permission to pick up a new hobby [or an old one] that speaks to your heart because expression through a creative outlet helps us release bottled up emotions in a healthy way. And honestly, it’s been my experience that when we invest time in an expressive hobby aimed at helping us feel more present, there’s really no telling what we might unlock within ourselves.

Side Business Projects

In the last few years, I’ve seen my side business grow into a full-time business, which has been so amazing! However, this isn’t always necessary. Sometimes just doing something we genuinely enjoy to make a little extra money or just for fun is so gratifying. There’s no stress involved because it doesn’t matter if we don’t make a sale, and it’s just a little blessing or confidence boost if we do. Whatever it is, a side business can be a wonderful way to spend our spare time because inevitably we’re occupying out time in a fruitful way.

So, today, if any of these suggestions spoke to you, I hope that you will try putting it into practice. If you need rest, then rest. But if you need something that helps you grow, then start today. It might be scary at first, but it’s so gratifying in the end.

Praying for you today and always, friend.

Love in Christ,

Helen Elizabeth