A Four Hour Working Week?

One of the blogs I regularly read, Evolving Times, has a challenge based around the book “The Four Hour Working Week”.

The challenge is, what would we do with all the spare time if we weren’t working? If we really could reduce our working hours, what would occupy the rest of that time?

It’s an interesting challenge, as many of us define ourselves through our paid work. I certainly have done in the past. It’s a little different now, as I choose how I want to earn my money and if something makes me sad or depressed, I simply alter my focus to bring money in a different way.

So, what would I do with 36 free hours a week?

• I’d launch myself back as a singer-songwriter. I love the work and the performance aspects of doing my own material, but the amount of promotion is such that I simply cannot afford to do it at the moment. When unlooked-for work comes along in that sphere it makes me happy, but I’d love to record a new album and put together a pay-irrelevant tour
• Throw away the TV. At the moment it is a useful babysitter and brain-relaxer. If I wasn’t so caught up in work, then I wouldn’t need it, and peversely I would get even *more* time to play with!
• Garden more. I’ve neglected the garden this year due to lack of time and headspace. Unless we eat thistles, I can’t say that the allotment has been very productive this year, either…
• Attend more re-enactments – we’ve been to exactly one this year, and I miss it dreadfully.
• Practise with my harp and bagpipes more often. Playing music is an instant pick-me-up for me, and I really should do it more.
• Volunteer at my local primary school to help with reading, writing and music skills.

Heh – that all sounds so good, I need to look at battering my hours down to allow me to do it!

What would you do with your time if you had an extra 36 hours a week?  Post in your own blog and leave me a comment here so that I know you’ve picked up the baton.  Feel free to tag other bloggers too…