Three takeaways:
Understanding the value of leisure– and treating it as seriously as we do our work– does not necessarily need to add a stress to the time usually earmarked for relaxation. It can unlock greater levels of happiness and self improvement.
Instead of defining leisure as the absence of work’s stressors or constraints, one should look at it as “an attitude of openness to the world through deep contemplation.” 20th Century German Philosopher Josef Pieper said this deep contemplation would involve “philosophical reflection, deep artistic experiences, learning new ideas or skills, spending time in nature, or deepening personal relationships”
So what are some tactics for increasing your aptitude for productive leisure?
- Structure your leisure: Even if just one hour in your leisure time, build out a plan or structure for enrichment. Push yourself to do difficult reading, or go on a reflective walk. Be stringent about living up to this routine, even if you feel like doing little else than sitting on the couch.
- Don’t fritter away your leisure: One of the biggest killers of productive leisure is the inability to get started. Once you have a goal for your leisure time, do not allow yourself to be distracted or swayed from pursuing it with full attention. Waste no time in doing so, starting promptly to avoid letting distraction take hold.
- Set specific leisure goals: Humans are naturally goal-oriented, and setting clear objectives is key to maintaining motivation– especially given the open structure of leisure. Just as measurable progress in fitness helps sustain an exercise routine, structured goals can enhance hobbies like reading books starting a meditation practice, learning a language, or engaging more thoughtfully with music. By pursuing specific outcomes—such as completing a series of books, preparing for a meditation retreat, or becoming an expert on a specific composer—leisure activities gain purpose and deeper fulfillment.
If we let leisure become nothing but “non-work” downtime, we embrace a deadened, dull path. To embrace the possibility of useful leisure is to choose a path of improvement, and joy.
From Arthur C. Brooks at The Atlantic:
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