The Illiteracy of Free Time
Generally speaking, most of us long for more free time.
Less work, fewer tasks, more time for ourselves.
But in practice, we often use that time in ways that don't truly allow for rest, reflection, or recovery.
Instead, it gets filled with passive distractions: social media, endless streaming, or video games.
These kinds of activities are seductive — they fill the hours quickly and easily. But in the end, they often leave behind a strange sense of emptiness. And over time, that emptiness becomes draining.
Free time spent like this tends to leave us sluggish, unfocused, sometimes irritable or frustrated. The time slips away, and we’re left with the feeling that we didn’t really rest — at least, not in a way that recharged us.
Some people seem to have a natural ability to use their free time in healthy, constructive ways. They engage in activities that promote social connection, personal reflection, or active learning — all of which help create a real break from work and a renewed energy to return to it later.
Others, unsure of what to do with free time, simply avoid it — and choose to keep working. It feels safer. At least that way, they’re not “wasting time” on something that feels pointless.
For some, leisure is intuitive. For others, it’s not. And when it isn’t, we often fall back on what’s easiest and most accessible: a screen, a device, a distraction.
That’s why it might be worth asking:
Shouldn’t part of our education include learning how to use our free time well?