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Ask Slashdot: What To Do With New Free Time?

Posted by timothy on from the when-you're-finished-gloating-at-least dept.

An anonymous reader writes "After 25 years of doing IT (started as a PC technician and stayed on technical of IT work through out my career) I've been moved to a position of doing only on call work (but paid as if it is a normal 9-5 job). This leaves me with a lot of free time... As someone who's used to working 12+ hours a day + the odd night/weekend on call, I'm scared I'll lose my mind with all the new free time I'll have. Any suggestions (beyond develop hobbies, spend time with family) on how to deal with all the new free time?"

3 of 299 comments (clear)

  1. so many things by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    write apps, contribute to open projects, write a book and or books, volunteer with a non-profit. Or read reddit a lot and play starcraft or something. So many possibilities.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
    1. Re:so many things by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Indeed, my dad's been retired for 20 years and says he doesn't know how he ever found time to work. I retire next year, people ask "but what will you do?" My answer is "any damned thing I want!"

      Some people live to work, I work to live. In eight months I'll be shouting Martin Luther King's phase "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, free at last!"

      The first thing I think I'll do is take a hammer to my alarm clock.

  2. Nothing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    A few friends of mine have recently switched jobs so they are working less time. Let me share something that has worked well for them: Make no plans for two weeks.

    When you first find yourself with free time you may think you need to fill it up with a hobby or visiting people or getting a part-time job or starting a new project. Don't do that right away. Give yourself a few weeks where you daydream or consider options, but make no plans. Your body is in the habit of working and you will feel a drive to keep moving. Don't. Relax, let your mind and body adjust to your new schedule.

    Eventually, two or three weeks into the new gig, you will probably find you naturally gravitate toward certain activities. Maybe you end up playing ball in the park or reading about history or you learn a new language or you start hanging out at the pub. Whatever it is, let it happen naturally. Don't go out into the world with a set plan, let yourself wander aimlessly for a few weeks and something will catch your interest.