#finding time

Hi guys!! Long time, no post, I know, I’ve been super busy, but I’ve been planning on writing this post for a while, so I’m glad I finally have the time! 

Which brings me to the topic of this post. It’s so hard to find time for our hobbies, like reading, blogging, writing, etc. But honestly, we have more time than we think we do. It’s just a matter of finding it. And as someone who managed to finish all seven seasons of “Parks and Recreation” in a month and a half while also finishing all of her homework and getting a halfway decent amount of sleep, I’m here to give you some tips that have helped me find some time in my day, and hopefully they’ll help you find some time in yours.

• Bus rides will become your best friends • Seriously. They will. I take the bus to and from school every day, and I use that time to read, add stuff to my tumblr queues, and occasionally watch shows on Netflix. It may feel like it’s only a little bit and that it’s not worth it, but I promise, every little bit adds up. Even ten pages every time you’re on the bus adds up to a whole book before you know it! And a few episodes may not feel like much of a binge-watching session, but they’ll fly by before you know it. Use that time. It makes so much of a difference when you do. Bonus: it makes your bus ride feel so much shorter, and it gives you something to get you out of bed.

• And even if you drive, you can still use that time • Obviously, you can’t read or watch Netflix while you’re driving, but you can listen to an audiobook, or catch up on that podcast that you’ve been meaning to listen to. BUT do not let it distract you from driving. Nothing is worth that. Don’t put it on too loud and make sure you can still concentrate on the road. But if you’re the type of person that focuses just as well or better with stuff playing in the car, then by all means, make the most of your time.

• Bring stuff with you wherever you go in case you have a free moment • I always carry a book and my journals with me in case I have a random, unexpected bit of free time that I can use. Sometimes I’ll have a substitute teacher and I’ll finish the assigned work early, or I’ll be waiting to be picked up from somewhere, or I’ll get somewhere early and have to wait around for a while. Those moments are the perfect opportunity for me to read another chapter or write a few hundred more words. You never know when those moments are going to happen, so it’s good to be prepared just in case they do.

• Sometimes, you have to put your phone down • I know, I know, I love my phone too. I’m on Tumblr and Twitter all the time. But sometimes, you have to put your phone on Do Not Disturb and focus on what you love. Social media takes up more time than we realize, and that time could be better used working on something that you love. Work on a new blog post, write a poem, take out a sketchbook and draw something. Leave the internet behind for a while and dedicate yourself to something else, something wonderful that you’re proud of.

• Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later • I can’t even tell you how many more blog posts I finished, words I wrote, books I read because I used all of those small windows of time. Even if it doesn’t seem like a lot, every little bit of progress matters. You’ll start to notice it after a while, and it’ll all feel so great. You’ll be so proud of yourself, and I’ll be proud of you, too.

Hope this helps someone out there!! :1

Do you feel like your schedule is packed to the brim? Between work, family, and everything in between, it can seem impossible to carve out a few minutes for yourself. But guess what? You can find time for hobbies, and this article will show you how Let’s face it—being an African in the Diaspora often means you’re balancing a thousand different responsibilities at once. Whether you're working multiple jobs, taking care of your family, or adjusting to a new environment, life can get overwhelming.  And while we often push hobbies aside in favor of "more important" tasks, having a hobby is crucial for your mental health and overall happiness.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to explore photography or reconnect with traditional crafts from back home, but time always slips away. I’m here to tell you it’s possible to fit these hobbies into your day, even when it feels like you’re running on fumes. Here’s how. Let’s get real: if you wait for free time to magically appear, it never will. Image source: Pexels Why You Need a Hobby (Even if You Think You Don’t) Hobbies aren’t just something to pass the time—they help reduce stress and give you a sense of purpose outside of your regular duties.  Whether it’s knitting, gardening, or learning a new language, engaging in hobbies can make you feel more connected to yourself and your culture. Think of it as therapy, but way more fun and affordable. Step 1: Schedule It Like You Would a Meeting Let’s get real: if you wait for free time to magically appear, it never will. The key to finding time for hobbies is scheduling it like you would a doctor’s appointment or a Zoom call.  If you block out even 15 minutes in your calendar for your hobby, it becomes part of your routine. Use reminders on your phone or even post-its around the house—whatever it takes to make it happen. Step 2: Start with 10-Minute Blocks Think you need hours to enjoy a hobby? Think again. You can do plenty in 10-15 minutes. If you’re into reading, sneak in a chapter during your morning coffee.  If cooking is your thing, use the time while your rice simmers to experiment with a new recipe. The goal isn’t marathon sessions; it’s consistency. Small steps add up over time. Step 3: Pair Your Hobbies with Daily Tasks Busy schedules don’t leave much wiggle room, so why not combine hobbies with things you already do? Love music? Listen to your favorite songs or a podcast about a new hobby while you do laundry or cook dinner.  If you’re into fitness, squeeze in a short workout while you wait for your food to bake. You’ll feel productive and get closer to mastering your hobby. Step 4: Cut Back on Time Wasters (Social Media, I'm Looking at You) We all have guilty pleasures—whether it's scrolling through Instagram for hours or binge-watching series on Netflix. Finding time for hobbies means cutting back on those time-wasters.  You don’t need to stop entirely, but be mindful of how much time these activities are taking from your day. Maybe instead of watching three episodes, you watch one and spend 30 minutes on your hobby. Step 5: Use Weekends Wisely During the workweek, your schedule might be tight, but weekends can be a game-changer. Dedicate some weekend time specifically to your hobbies.  You can use that extra time to take a photography walk, attend a dance class, or start painting that piece you’ve been putting off. The weekend gives you breathing room to dive deeper into your passion projects without feeling rushed. Dedicate some weekend time specifically to your hobbies. Image source: Pexels Step 6: Get Family or Friends Involved Sometimes hobbies can feel like solitary activities, but they don’t have to be. If you're struggling to find time, why not make it a social activity?  If you enjoy playing soccer or cooking, invite your family or friends to join. This way, you’re spending quality time with loved ones and keeping up with your hobbies at the same time. Step 7: Be Flexible with Yourself Life is unpredictable, and there will be times when your hobby plans get derailed.

Wattpad Adventures 1 Finding Time To Write #writingadvice #time #newwriter