Navigating Spare Time
Over the years, I have consistently experienced periods where I feel uncertain about how to manage my time, where to focus my attention, and how to initiate new hobbies and pursue my goals. I recently completed my part-time teaching gig for the summer, leaving me with spare time and headspace; this created a moment in time ripe for self-reflection and the realization that I needed to find direction again.
Being reflective and deliberate with my time and energy is something I strive to maintain at the forefront, so I am mindful of this when making decisions about what interests to pursue and how I will approach them.
Re-learning French. I completed a French minor for my undergraduate degree and attended multiple immersion summer semesters; I had considered myself moderately fluent. Language, however, is a use it or lose it skill. Since graduating with my undergraduate degree (14 years ago, a shocking bit of math for me), I haven't had the opportunity to keep it in my life. It's been on my mind for the past few years that I want to regain my proficiency, and this desire is recently getting a boost after booking a trip that will partly take place in Belgium. Self-directed learning has never been my strong suit, but I also don't have the time to commit to a structured class or program. Currently, I need flexibility to determine where I am starting with my learning and then integrate it into the rest of my life. I am currently exploring the best fit for myself and considering using Babbel, as well as some workbooks. I love the idea of being able to converse in another language again, and it often makes me somewhat sad that I have lost this skill that I worked so hard to acquire.
Golfing. A few years ago, I decided to take some golf lessons and try the sport out. I enjoyed it and was excited to develop a new skill and participate in an outdoor activity. It was something my husband and I had planned to practice and play together, making it a shared activity. The first couple of summers were great; we went to the driving range and tried a few courses. However, last year and so far this year, it's been hard to fit it regularly into our lives (please note that living in Canada, golf has a very limited season). I went to Launchpad with some girlfriends, and even though we were there just for fun, I still noticed my interest in learning what I was doing wrong and wanting to make adjustments. I’m hoping that this re-peaked interest will help me to get back both practice and the fun of golf.
Learning how to use my new camera. I recently decided to purchase a new point-and-shoot camera. I'm excited to have something more than my phone to take pictures, especially when travelling. However, I had forgotten how much there is to learn about using a camera. In addition to learning how to take nice photographs (lighting, composition, etc.), there are also the actual settings and features of the camera, and finally, editing photos. This will be another creative outlet for me, something I crave, and again, a shared interest between my husband and me. I find myself initially overwhelmed with where to start with the learning and what of the many resources to follow. This type of challenge can often hinder my progress in pursuing an interest.
Taking the time to reflect on what draws me to each one, the barriers I feel I am facing, and identifying what they would bring to my life will hopefully ground me in making informed choices with my time. I wrote this piece as a form of transparent reflection, to openly share my thought process and the challenges of making intentional choices and to let others know they're not alone if they find themselves stuck or unsure about how to spend their time meaningfully.