Five Productive Ways to Waste Time

We’ve all been there… You want to take a break, but you have so much to do you can’t relax for a minute. Life gets so busy, but it’s still nice to step away from your stress and focus on something else. Today I’m going to share five productive ways to waste time! So, set a timer for fifteen to thirty minutes, put away your books, and think about something else.

1. Organize your room/desk/work area.

I always know I’m in major procrastination mode when I decide to clean my room. But, it is true that a clean room fosters a clean mind. Turn on your favorite music, a timer for twenty minutes, and clean as much as you can, at least around your work area. Throw away old papers and make room to actually sit and concentrate. This is the kind of break that truly feels productive and leaves you ready to do your best work.

2. Work on something creative/a passion project. 

We all have something we’re passionate about that we always put off until we have more time… Until we realize we’re using our free time to watch another episode of Friends (*100% guilty*). Use this time to actually pursue something you’re passionate about, whether that’s blogging, reading, painting. If you use your free time creating something, you’ll never walk away feeling like that time was wasted.

3. Make your bed.

This tip goes along with the first, but it’s even easier. Making the bed is such an easy task, but it makes such a difference in how clean your room feels. Be careful to ignore how tempting your bed looks though… I find that when I attempt to do homework in my bed, I’m almost too comfortable and I spend more time watching Netflix than actually working.

4. Change up your scenery.

I do my best work when I’m in a different environment. Last year, I did most of my homework in the Starbucks at my school’s Student Center. Even though I don’t buy coffee from Starbucks every day now (who can afford that?!) I love to change up my environment. One day I’ll work at my desk, then the next on the couch. Another way to change up your environment in fifteen minutes is by decorating and filling your space with inspiring images. I have a bulletin board on my desk, and if I need inspiration, I can spend a few minutes flipping through magazines to find pictures that stand out. Now, my mind and my desk are refreshed.

5. Write a note.

I am the biggest stationary addict I know. I have “thank you” cards in different styles and plenty of random note cards… But it’s hard to find a time to use them, even though I want to. For me, writing an unexpected note to a friend is so rewarding + it only takes a few minutes!

I hope you enjoyed these five productive ways to waste time. Let me know what your favorite time-wasters are in the comments below!

xoxo, Cecilia