Finding meaningful ways to spend the day
Do you feel that your days lack the structure you’d like? Perhaps you’re temporarily out of work, recovering from an illness, or have had to give up activities you used to enjoy. In that case, the day can feel long, empty or unsettling. Finding a meaningful way to fill your day isn’t always easy, especially if your energy levels or health fluctuate. Filling your day isn’t just about keeping busy. It’s also about rhythm, social contact, meaning and the feeling that you’re contributing to something. If these elements are missing, it can affect your mood, motivation and recovery.
What do you notice?
A lack of meaningful daily activities can manifest itself in various ways.
You may, for example, notice that:
- days have little structure;
- you’re finding it hard to get started;
- if you feel useless or restless;
- you have few social contacts;
- postpones your activities;
- you spend a lot of time on your own;
- you’re not quite sure what suits you best;
- you find it less enjoyable;
- You sleep less well because of a lack of routine.
Sometimes there is a need for more detail, but the task can feel too daunting. In such cases, it is important to start small.
