How Can I Keep Myself Busy: 8 Natural & Practical Steps

Table of Contents

Being Busy Brings Joy

Do you ask yourself the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’?

It’s quite a valid longing.

Time is the most important resource we have.

This is why nobody likes to waste their time by sitting idle.

But the truth is that many people catch the habit of either sitting idle or procrastination.

They either feel too lazy to start or too difficult to continue being busy.

Keeping themselves busy could have made them mentally and materially more productive which would have made their lives much better.

Various studies have also found that staying busy brings more joy to people than sitting idle.

But people fail to keep themselves busy. 

Why does this happen?

It happens because keeping yourself busy requires you to know and follow certain hidden rules of nature.

And when you do not follow them, even if you want to stay busy, you won’t be able to do so.

Thus, it’s extremely important that we learn these rules and stay true to them to keep ourselves busy, and thus happy.

So, what are the natural rules that serve as answers to ‘How can I keep myself busy’?

How Can I Keep Myself Busy

How can I keep myself busy

8 rules answer the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’.

Do Not Tend To Sit Idle Or Procrastinate

The first answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to not tend to sit idle or procrastinate.

For most people, being busy is just an idea, in practice, they want to rest and keep themselves idle.

They want to protect themselves from the mental and physical hardships that one has to go through when busy.

So, they either do not get to work at all or they give up too soon.

This prevents them from keeping themselves busy.

Thus, if you truly want to keep yourself busy, you should be willing to embrace some hardships and thus give up the tendency to sit idle or procrastinate.

Uncertainties and minor struggles are a part & parcel of being busy.

But with time and effort, these struggles keep settling down.

And a time comes when we can pleasantly be busy.

Find Something That Interests You

How can I keep myself busy

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to find something that interests you.

Things that bore you cannot keep you engaged in doing them for too long.

So, if you want yourself to be busy for longer hours in doing something, it should be something that interests you to your core.

When you love doing something, you have the option to explore it which keeps you genuinely, meaningfully, and productively busy.

And the best part is that in doing such things, you don’t even feel fatigued.

So, you can remain busy in them for a longer number of hours.

Thus, choose a work that may be your passion or a very dear hobby, and it will keep you truly busy.

Bring More Variety

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to bring variety by choosing multiple things to do.

Your passion may help you stay busy for a decent amount of time.

But a single activity cannot keep you busy beyond a certain period, irrespective of how much you like doing it.

So, you are bound to get bored of doing it after a point.

It doesn’t mean that you no longer like doing it, it just means that you now need a variety of work to keep you busy.

So, at this point, think of other things that interest you and add them to your list of things that can keep you busy.

When one work starts to bore you, switch to the next one, and it will rejuvenate you instantly to give you the strength to stay busy.

Remember, variety is the spice of life, it is capable of refreshing you and hence keeping you invested.

Find A Distraction-Free Environment

How can I keep myself busy

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to choose a distraction-free environment to be busy.

When you want to keep working or stay busy, the external environment you are working in is also of grave importance.

So, choosing an area with a crowded or noisy ambiance won’t let you remain busy productively.

It will keep distracting you and breaking your concentration.

The noise would keep getting to you all the time which would frustrate you.

Also, people may approach you and disturb you now and then, hence preventing you from staying busy.

Thus, choose an environment that is peaceful and personally comfortable for you.

It will help you build focus and get exciting ideas and insights which will help in keeping you busy for a longer time.

Usually, the best distraction-free places are your studio at home or your private chamber in your office.

Take Regular Breaks

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to take regular breaks while you are busy.

This may seem like a contradictory solution but small breaks are important to stay busy for a longer amount of time.

Regular, timely, and optimal-length breaks prevent burnout and recharge you to keep yourself busy.

However, the timing of the breaks should not be done randomly or through a fixed rule.

They should be taken only when you feel the need to.

Similarly, the timing to resume your work should also be done according to your readiness. 

Taking multiple and consistent breaks is a very important rule while you are trying to keep yourself busy and hence should not be skipped at any cost.

Be Driven By Self-Improvement & Success

pexels niko twisty 4048182

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to be driven or motivated by self-improvement and success.

Motivation is very important for staying busy.

And the two biggest motivations in life are self-improvement and success. 

So, keep reminding yourself of these ultimate goals in life. 

They will ensure that you do not lose steam and keep staying busy to fulfill all your dreams.

The will to keep improving constantly and the longing to achieve success will keep pushing you forward.

Set Clear & Time-Bound Objectives

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to have clear and time-bound objectives.

Time is always a scarce resource when we pursue our objectives.

So, if your objectives are time-bound, it can help you stay busy in accomplishing them on time.

So, set time-bound objectives for yourself.

If the time you have seems adequate, make a little tighter schedule which may be just enough to keep you busy.

You can also break the objective down into smaller time-bound targets which will give clarity and also help you keep yourself busy.

Find A Purpose That Goes Beyond You

pexels nandhukumar 322954

The next answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ is to have a purpose that is beyond self.

Sometimes when our perspective in life is limited to ourselves, we do not have the necessary motivation to stay busy.

And even if we do have the motivation, it may get completed very fast.

We may not be able to find something more to keep ourselves busy.

But as soon as a bigger purpose is attached to our lives, it makes us more excited and committed to fulfilling them.

So, find a higher life purpose like uplifting your family, community, state, nation, or the world.

The bigger the responsibility, the more it will keep you busy.

When you find a purpose bigger than yourself, you will finally find the answer to the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’.

Staying Balanced Is Equally Important

Sometimes, asking yourself the question ‘How can I keep myself busy’ becomes important.

It’s better to be busy than to stay idle and waste time.

Being busy is okay, but you should be mindful of an important caveat here.

In trying to be busy, do not forget to find balance in life.

Maintain work-life balance and give ample time to yourself and your family.

Also, do not try to be busy just to forget or ignore a bad memory or a painful past.

It’s never healthy.

Trying to be busy is meaningful when you are wasting a lot of time or you have a lot of free time.

So, be busy but also find the right work-life balance in life.

Being busy in the optimal amount will give you the necessary time to love yourself and care for yourself.

And this fine balance will help you make your life feel effortless and amazing.

So, ask yourself ‘How can I keep myself busy’ but also remember to balance it up with leisure, love, and self-love.

Want to keep up with our blog?

Get our most valuable tips right inside your inbox, once per month!