Time is precious – in fact, motivational speaker Dennis Waitley calls it “the most precious element of human existence.” And while there are many things in life we can’t control, one thing we can decide is how we choose to spend our days.
Most of us want to use our time valuably – whether that be taking some much-needed downtime, learning a new skill, or helping others.
With that said, we’ve pulled together a list of 12 rewarding ways to spend your time, which we hope will offer you some inspiration.
1. Explore the art of gardening
Gardening is a meaningful and fulfilling way to spend your time that not only makes your living space more aesthetically pleasing, but also brings health benefits.
According to research, 30 minutes of gardening burns approximately the same amount of calories as 30 minutes of activities such as Tai Chi, badminton, and gymnastics.
Studies also show that gardening can help to reduce stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and boost self-esteem. Plus, surrounding yourself with greenery is a great way to improve your living space, connect with nature, and boost your mood.
If you’d like to get into gardening, check out the gardening section of our website where you’ll find information on everything from superfoods that you can grow from home to monthly gardening guides.
Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still reap the benefits of gardening by growing plants indoors or in a window box. Or, you could apply for an allotment.
2. Start a blog about something you care about
Blogging can be rewarding because it allows you to organise your thoughts and feelings, explore a topic you’re passionate about, and share your knowledge and experience with others. It can also help you to track your journey and see how far you’ve come.
For example, some people find it helpful to keep a blog throughout a long illness. This can help them cope with their emotions, while also supporting others that might be going through the same thing. Others start a blog when they take up a new hobby to document their progress and offer tips and advice.
Blogs can feel very personal and some people need a little time before they feel comfortable enough putting it out there for the world to see. So, remember that you don’t need to worry about sharing it with others until you’re completely ready to. Though it’s also okay if you decide that you want to keep it for your eyes only.
Some of the best free blogging websites for beginners are Tumblr, WordPress, and Medium. To find out more about blogging, why not take a look at our article; How to start a blog in 6 easy steps?
3. Empower yourself through exercise
As the saying goes; strong body, strong mind. And since our bodies are usually capable of achieving far more than we may think, exercise can be incredibly rewarding and empowering – both mentally and physically.
It’s unusual to finish a workout without feeling a sense of accomplishment. You may end your exercise session on a high because you completed your run in record time, or feel more relaxed after a gentle yoga session.
For added benefits, you could try exercising outside. Research shows this can optimise physical performance, reduce stress and mental fatigue, and improve mood and self-esteem. Making time for exercise is also a form of self-care and an opportunity to spend some quality time with yourself.
If you’re looking for ways to stay active, head over to the fitness and exercise section of our website where you’ll find guides on everything from Tai Chi to running, cycling, walking football, and dance classes.
You’ll also find a range of virtual fitness classes available on Rest Less Events.
4. Connect with nature
Connecting with nature is a fulfilling, spiritual, and often humbling experience. It can help to reduce stress and spark thoughts about our existence and place in the world.
Alongside gardening, other ways to connect with nature include…
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is an excellent way to connect with the natural world. Observing the habits and behaviours of common birds can provide a great opportunity to find beauty in something that we might take for granted. And searching for rarer birds is an exciting and fulfilling way to spend your time – especially if you’re lucky enough to spot one!
Birdwatching is also a mindful activity that can help us to live in the present moment, and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Stargazing
Like birdwatching, the most rewarding ways to connect with nature are often the simplest. And to stargaze, all you have to do is look up.
Stargazing can relieve stress and allow the worries and pressures of everyday life to melt away. Taking in the beautiful expanse of stars and planets can really help to put things into perspective.
You might like to check out our introduction to stargazing to learn more. Or, if you’re interested in getting started, why not tune into The Night Sky series running on Rest Less Events? You’ll learn how to spot this month’s bright stars and constellations, and find out about the myths and legends connected to them.
Go for a walk
Sometimes, the best way to connect with nature is to leave the hustle and bustle of modern life behind and take off into the wilderness.
The UK is filled with beautiful areas, many of which may be closer to home than you think. For example, Snowdonia, the Lake District, and the Cairngorms are full of stunning natural sights and scenes. So why not take some time away and lose yourself in the splendour of the natural world?
Our article, 32 ways to connect with nature and feel inspired, has plenty more ideas if none of the above take your fancy.
5. Create a vision board
A vision board is a powerful way to explore and realise your goals and dreams, and to identify what you’re most grateful for. Images and words can act as a powerful and positive daily reminder of what you want to be, do, or have in your life.
Vision boards are often linked to the Law of Attraction, which is the idea that how we think impacts our experiences in life. So, the more optimistic our approach, the more likely we are to have positive experiences.
There aren’t any rules when it comes to creating a vision board – it can be as big, small, or creative as you like. Most people make theirs by using a corkboard, photos, magazine cutouts, and inspirational quotes. You could dedicate an hour, an afternoon, or a whole weekend to this exercise, and you may well want to add to it over time.
For more on vision boards, including tips on getting started, check out our article; How to create an inspiring vision board.
6. Foster a pet
Caring for an animal is a uniquely rewarding experience that can bring companionship, fulfilment, and purpose. And there are plenty of animals out there looking for some love while they await their permanent home.
If you’d be interested in finding out more, it’s worth heading over to the RSPCA website.
To explore more ways to spend time with creatures great and small, you might like to check out our page on volunteering with animals. There are also plenty more ideas in our articles; 12 interesting roles working with animals and 13 ways to connect with animals.
7. Make improvements to your home or garden
We all spend a lot of time at home, so why not get the most out of your living space by making a few home improvements?
These could include changing the colour scheme in your living room, restoring or upcycling an old piece of furniture, or fixing that leaky tap in the bathroom.
When we make improvements to our home, we tend to enjoy spending time in these spaces more and often feel a sense of pride over what we’ve achieved – especially if we’ve learnt some new skills in the process. It can also help to boost the value of your property, which could be useful if you’re thinking about selling at some point in the future.
If you’re on a budget, our article, 10 affordable ways to improve your living space, has plenty of tips.
8. Volunteer to help others
If you have a few spare hours each week and want to give back to the community, why not consider volunteering? Volunteering not only allows you to help others, but can bring personal satisfaction which can improve confidence and self-esteem.
There’s a wide range of voluntary roles out there. From volunteering with children and helping the elderly to organising events and taking care of animals, there’s sure to be something that appeals to you. To search for roles and get some inspiration, check out the volunteering section of our website. Our article, 17 meaningful ways to help others and give back to your community, has plenty of ideas too.
If volunteering in person isn’t for you, there are ways to volunteer from the comfort of your own home. From offering a listening ear to helping protect ancient trees in your local area, there are plenty of ways you can make a difference. To find out more, check out our full guide.
9. Tackle your book bucket list
Many of us have a long list of books we want to read, but put off getting started or struggle to find the motivation. So, if you’re looking for a rewarding way to spend your time, why not start crossing some of those books off your list?
Getting stuck into a good book is a chance for you to learn something new, take on a different perspective, and go on an exciting journey – all from the safety and comfort of your sofa. There’s also a sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that you’ve read a book from cover to cover.
If you don’t have a book bucket list, you’ll find inspiration in our articles; 27 of the best must-read novels and 20 of the best history books.
We also run a variety of thriving book clubs on Rest Less Events which you may be interested in joining.
10. Write a letter to a friend or family member
Although phone and video calls are helpful for staying in touch with friends and family, there’s just nothing like a handwritten letter to make someone’s day.
Handwritten letters take a bit of time and thought, however this is what makes them feel more special. I know that when I receive a handwritten letter, I feel touched, especially because handwritten notes are a rarity nowadays.
Knowing that your letter could put a smile on the face of someone you love is satisfying, and makes the time spent writing it feel very worthwhile. And, before you know it, you could have a pen pal, and something to look forward to in the post every now and then.
If you’d like to make your letters that extra bit more special, consider checking out our introductory guides to card making and calligraphy.
11. Learn or develop new skills
Developing a new skill is a rewarding way to spend your time. Not only can it help you to grow personally and/or professionally, but it often brings a sense of pride too.
Learning is an integral part of life which affects how we interact with the world around us. When we learn a new skill, we often find that our world opens up just that little bit more, and this continues with every new skill that we acquire.
The skills you choose to learn or develop will be personal to you, but could include anything from origami to plumbing. The learning section of our website has plenty of informative guides on all sorts of topics for you to sink your teeth into. YouTube is also full of tips and advice.
Rest Less Events is another useful online learning platform. At the moment, for example, you can join courses covering everything from crochet to German.
12. Practise self-care
It’s not uncommon for people to feel guilty when they take time for themselves. But it’s more important than ever to remember that ‘me-time’ is an essential part of looking after your health and wellbeing.
Self-care means different things to different people. For some, it can be about eating healthy, balanced meals and getting enough sleep. Though, it can also involve allowing yourself to relax, recharge, and do the things you enjoy. For example, having a long bath and a glass of wine, completely undisturbed. Or treating yourself to a movie in bed on a Saturday morning after a long week.
Sometimes, when we practise self-care we experience feelings of guilt or a sense that we should be doing something more productive, which can stop us from whole-heartedly enjoying quality time with ourselves. However, it becomes much more rewarding when you can accept that you deserve this time, and that you’ll be better able to tackle other things when you’re finished.
If you find this a challenge, you can always start small. Try to allow yourself half an hour a day to do something that you truly enjoy and can indulge in. Even if that just means reading a chapter of your favourite book.
If this is something you find tricky, you might find some useful tips in our articles; What is self-care and why is it important? and 8 ways to get your ‘me time’ and why it’s important.
Final thoughts…
We hope that this article has given you some inspiration if you’re looking for new and interesting ways to spend your time. From enjoying quality time alone doing what you love to learning a new skill and volunteering your time, there’s an endless supply of fun and rewarding activities out there. It may just take a bit of trial and error to discover what you like doing best.
For more ideas and inspiration, why not check out the learning and hobbies and activities sections of our website? Or, browse Rest Less Events which has over 100 different talks, discussion groups, and workshops each month.
Do you have any additional rewarding ways that you spend your free time? Will you be trying any of the ideas from this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.