7 subtle habits of people who have too much free time, says psychology

For most of my life, I was a classic case of someone with too much spare time.

Hello, I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a psychology enthusiast.

I used to have long hours of nothingness stretching before me. It was a toxic mix of boredom, listlessness, and an unshakeable feeling of constantly wasting my time.

I was that guy who could spend hours scrolling through social media feeds, binge-watching TV shows, or just aimlessly wandering around the house.

It was during one of these aimless wanderings that I stumbled upon some intriguing psychological research about the subtle habits of people with too much free time.

And let me tell you, it was a real eye-opener.

In this article, I’ll share these 7 subtle habits with you. Who knows? You might just find them as transformative as I did.

So, let’s dive right in.

1) Mindless scrolling

You’ve probably done it. I certainly have. It’s that habit of endlessly scrolling through social media without really registering what you’re looking at.

Psychology says this mindless scrolling is a classic sign of having too much free time. And it was definitely a habit of mine.

I would find myself lost in an endless stream of pictures, posts, and videos, hours slipping by unnoticed. It was a mind-numbing way to fill the void, but it left me feeling emptier than before.

Then I started to question: Was this really how I wanted to spend my precious time?

The answer was a resounding ‘no’. So, I decided to make a change.

I started setting limits for my screen time, replacing mindless scrolling with activities that actually enriched my life – like reading or going for a walk.

And I can tell you, it made all the difference. My mind felt clearer, and I started to feel more in control of my time and my life.

If you find yourself falling into the scrolling trap, try setting some boundaries for yourself. You may be surprised at just how much more fulfilling your free time can become.

2) Procrastination

Next on the list is procrastination, a habit I was all too familiar with.

Whenever I had a task to complete, whether it was cleaning the house, writing an article, or even planning a trip, I would find myself putting it off until the very last minute. I’d tell myself there was plenty of time later, and then I’d go back to my aimless wandering.

Psychology tells us that procrastination isn’t just about laziness; it’s about avoiding discomfort. As psychologist Dr. Tim Pychyl puts it, “Procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem.”

I realized that I was avoiding tasks because they felt uncomfortable or overwhelming. I was choosing short-term comfort over long-term satisfaction.

Once I understood this, I started breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable parts and tackling them one at a time. It wasn’t easy, but it helped me overcome the habit of procrastination.

3) Overthinking

Ah, overthinking – another habit I was intimately familiar with.

Whenever I had free time, I would often find myself caught in a loop of over-analysis. I’d replay past conversations, worry about future events, or just get stuck in a cycle of ‘what ifs’.

Psychology tells us that overthinking not only wastes our time but also saps our mental energy and can lead to increased levels of anxiety.

I recognized this habit in myself and realized that my overthinking was doing me more harm than good. I was wasting my free time creating problems that didn’t exist.

I decided to challenge this habit by practicing mindfulness – focusing on the present moment without judgment. This helped me to stop the cycle of overthinking and start enjoying my free time.

4) Lack of routine

Back in my days of excessive free time, my life lacked structure. I’d wake up at random hours, eat whenever I felt like it, and had no set plans for the day.

But according to a study published in the Journal of Health Psychology, people with regular routines have better mental health. The study found that routine provides a sense of structure and reduces stress.

I realized that my lack of routine was contributing to my feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction. So, I decided to set up a daily schedule. I started waking up at the same time every day, established regular meal times, and allocated specific time slots for work and relaxation.

Gradually, I started to feel more in control of my life. My mood improved, and I felt more productive and fulfilled.

5) Neglecting Self-Care

During my days of endless free time, I found myself neglecting self-care. I wasn’t eating well, rarely exercised, and my sleep schedule was all over the place.

Psychology points out that one of the signs of having too much free time is neglecting self-care. It seems counterintuitive – after all, with so much time on our hands, shouldn’t we be taking better care of ourselves?

But often, when we have a lot of free time, we can fall into habits that are detrimental to our health and well-being.

Once I recognized this in myself, I made a conscious effort to start prioritizing self-care. I started cooking healthy meals, incorporated regular exercise into my routine, and worked on improving my sleep habits.

The result? I felt healthier, happier, and more energized.

Prioritizing your health and well-being can transform how you feel and make your free time much more rewarding.

6) Lack of goals

One of the most significant issues I faced when I had too much free time was a lack of goals. I was just drifting through life, with no real direction or purpose.

Famous psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “What a man can be, he must be. This need we call self-actualization.” He believed that fulfilling our potential is a basic human need.

Without any goals, I was falling short of this need. I wasn’t challenging myself or striving for anything. I was just existing.

Once I realized this, I started setting small, achievable goals for myself. Whether it was reading a certain number of books each month or learning a new skill, these goals gave my life direction and purpose.

Setting goals transformed my free time from aimless and unfulfilling to productive and rewarding.

If you’re floating through your free time with no real purpose, consider setting some goals. They don’t have to be big or profound – just something to strive for. It could make all the difference.

7) Avoiding boredom

Now, this one might surprise you. When I had too much free time, I was constantly trying to avoid boredom. I’d fill every moment with some activity or distraction, even if it was as mindless as scrolling through social media.

But here’s the twist: psychology tells us that boredom isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can actually spark creativity and innovation.

A study from the University of Central Lancashire found that participants who completed a boring task – like copying numbers from a phone book – came up with more creative solutions in a subsequent task than those who didn’t.

When I learned this, I decided to embrace boredom instead of avoiding it. I started setting aside ‘boredom time’ where I would let my mind wander without any distractions. And guess what? Some of my best ideas came during these times.

So here’s a counterintuitive tip for those with too much free time: try embracing boredom. You might just be surprised at the creativity it can unlock.

Conclusion

Having too much free time can indeed lead to some unproductive habits. But recognizing these habits is the first step towards making a positive change.

Remember, it’s not about filling every moment with activity. It’s about using your time in a way that enriches your life and contributes to your personal growth.

So, start setting small goals, establish a routine, embrace boredom, and most importantly, prioritize self-care.

Your free time is a precious resource. Use it wisely and it can become a powerful tool for personal development and fulfillment. Remember, the goal isn’t to be busy – it’s to be productive and happy. Good luck!