Fuel or Fatigue? Build or Drain?

How Do You Spend Your Free Time? Building Yourself Up or Draining Yourself Even More?

In today’s fast-paced world, free time is a rare commodity and how we spend it can make all the difference between thriving and just surviving. As a life coach, I’ve come to realize that how we use our time - whether we’re building ourselves up or allowing distractions to drain our energy - has a profound impact on our well-being. The news, entertainment outlets and online platforms can weigh us down, but there are also countless opportunities for personal growth if we choose to seek them out.

In this blog, I’ll share my own journey on how I use my free time to cultivate better habits, learn, stay motivated and I’ll offer some suggestions on how you can intentionally structure your free time to achieve better well-being and build the life you truly deserve.

How We Spend Our Free Time: The Choice Is Ours

We all know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed. The constant barrage of news, social media updates and personal responsibilities can drain our mental and emotional energy, but the choice of how to use our free time is still ours and how we spend those moments when we’re not working or attending to life’s duties matters more than we often realize.

Do You Build Yourself Up or Drain Yourself?

When it comes to downtime, many of us gravitate toward things that might provide temporary relief, but ultimately drain us. Binge-watching TV shows, scrolling aimlessly through social media or reading the latest headlines might seem like ways to relax, but they often leave us feeling exhausted or discouraged.

However, our free time can also be a powerful tool for growth. By consciously choosing activities that uplift us - like reading books that inspire us, listening to motivational speakers or practicing mindfulness - we can transform how we feel and ultimately, how we live.

The Power of Books and Learning

For me, reading has always been a cornerstone of self-development. Books, particularly those by authors who have faced challenges and triumphed, offer invaluable lessons that can inspire us to do better, be better and think bigger. Whether it’s self-help books, biographies of people I admire or philosophical works, I always look for something that pushes me to think beyond the status quo.

As a life coach, I often recommend to my clients that they read books that challenge their mindset and offer new perspectives. Books like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Atomic Habits by James Clear and You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero are just a few examples of powerful reads that can help shift how you approach life.

Motivational Speakers: A Boost for the Soul

Another way I choose to spend my free time is by listening to motivational speakers who inspire me to push through challenges and keep moving forward. People like Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Mel Robbins and Brene Brown have had a profound impact on my life. Their messages resonate because they speak from lived experience, not just theory. They understand the struggles and challenges we face and they provide actionable advice for overcoming them.

By integrating their wisdom into my daily life, I can shift my mindset, build resilience and stay focused on my goals - even on days when it feels harder to keep going.

How You Can Use Your Free Time for Personal Growth

1. Prioritize Activities That Energize You:
Start by identifying activities that fill you up and leave you feeling more connected to your purpose. This might include reading, exercising, journaling or meditating. Make a list of things that genuinely bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment and commit to incorporating them into your routine.

2. Create Boundaries with Media Consumption:
The news, social media and constant digital noise can overwhelm us if we let it. While staying informed is important, make sure you're not overloading yourself with negativity. Set limits on how much time you spend consuming media and ensure that you’re not allowing it to dictate your mood or outlook.

3. Invest in Learning and Development:
Whether through reading, listening to podcasts or taking courses, investing time in your growth will always pay off. As a life coach, I’ve found that continued learning is one of the most powerful tools for self-improvement. By learning new things, you not only increase your knowledge, but also gain a sense of accomplishment and pride.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Reflection:
Sometimes, simply taking a few moments to be present can make a world of difference. Whether through meditation, deep breathing exercises or quiet reflection, these practices can help you center yourself, reduce stress and create mental clarity.

Conclusion: The Choice to Build Yourself Up

Ultimately, how we choose to spend our free time is a reflection of how much we value our well-being. It’s easy to let life’s distractions drain us, but by being intentional about how we use our downtime, we can create a life that’s not just about surviving - but thriving.

As a life coach, I’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent changes in how we spend our free time can lead to massive shifts in our overall happiness and success. If you want a better life, it’s time to start prioritizing activities that build you up instead of tearing you down.

Start today, choose wisely and watch how your life transforms!