5 Idle Time Busters

1. Audio books on a bus

During my first job hunt, there was one job that I interviewed for whose office was 3 hours (by bus) away from my house. It was a writing job, so I was determined to accept it even if it required that insane amount of travel time. Luckily, I got another writing job offer, so I didn’t have to go through this torture. But during the time that I thought that this would be my job, I prepared for things that I can do on the bus so that I don’t waste my time.

I love reading books, but reading on a moving bus will strain my eyes. I decided to download audio books for the first time. My friend, Jenny, suggested that I listen to Law of Success by Napoleon Hill.

2. There’s always time to read a book.

Wherever I go, I always bring a book. On days when I don’t bring a book, I regret it. That’s why when I feel the urge to not bring a book, I always tell myself, There’s always time to read a book. When I’m waiting for someone, waiting for the food to be served in a restaurant, and the like, I open my book and read.

3. [insert what you are waiting for]-waiting meditation

In Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, she says that she uses waiting time to meditate. She thinks about the things she’s grateful for, the things that make her happy, etc. This way, waiting time is no longer a frustrating experience, instead it becomes an opportunity to make herself happy.

4. Scribble, scribble

Writing is a good way to entertain yourself. That is why whenever I leave the house I either have my little notebook, my normally-sized ideas notebook, or pieces of scratched paper. Sometimes I also use my phone’s notes to jot down ideas that pop into my head.

5. Podcasts

When I was still debating in college, my orgmate said that he used podcasts to matterload. He listens to these podcasts while he drives so that he doesn’t waste time. My favorite matterloading podcasts were Economist Magazine audio edition and NPR debates. There are many podcasts that are available online, so you can choose the ones that interest you.

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