I'm halfway though my two weeks off work. The first week I spent in the Netherlands; went to Efteling Theme Park for a couple of days then spent the rest of the week in Amsterdam. This week I've spent at home tinkering with a few projects and setting up my gopherhole.

I've been thinking a bit about how modern life is structured. I have a wife but no kids, we have jobs and a mortgage and what I would consider a pretty normal life but it really feels like we are spinning too many plates. We have both been off work but there have been so many things taking up what should be relaxing time: had to sort out car insurance, shopping, cooking, cleaning, trying to get Dr appointments for my wifes chronic health issues, keeping on top of banking, exercise and trying to find some creative outlets.

When taking care of all of these responsibilities I feel an urge to rush through them. It seems like I can't start living until these things are taken care of, but when everything is done I find myself sitting in front of the TV, watching nonsense and having the feeling like I'm wasting my time. I have so many books I can't decide what to read, so many games I cant decide what to play, ten barely started projects I can't bring myself to look at.

I know this is probably decision fatigue, paralysis by over-analysis and just plain lazyness, but knowing what it is and what to do about it are two different things. Maybe a perspective shift is required; a re-evaluation of what leisure time should be.

Leisure time /= idleness

Regarding decision fatigue: I think having a routine is the answer. A routine should cover the basics; cooking, cleaning, 'life admin' (banking, insurance, taxes, etc), exercise, sleep. This would cover the basic necessities for a happy, healthy life.

Regarding paralysis by over-analysis: Prioratize! Decide on what is important, what will help you grow as a person, what will contribute to other people in a positive way. You can't do everything at once, in order to pick something up you have to put something else down. Be deliberate and discerning, aviod what will feel good in the moment and prioratize what will make you better/happier long term.

Regarding lazyness: Recognize that life is happening whether you're living it or not. I've been seeing articles popping up about 'lifestyle friction' and it has got me thinking. Convenience isn't automatically a good thing; ordering a meal to be delivered can be helpful if you are doing something important and want to minimize the interruption but I think it can be a bad thing when it just enables idleness. If I'm sitting watching TV it would be better to get up and cook a meal, maybe go to the shops and get ingredients, these things create opportunities for things to happen, things you can't plan for or organize, good or bad, but that's life.