What Can You do Instead?
Select a time-wasting habit to discover uplifting, meaningful alternatives.
SHOULDIWORKTODAY.COM
Ever wonder how an entire afternoon vanished into social feeds or “just one more” episode? You’re not alone—and you’re not lazy… probably 😉. Consider this page a gentle mirror. Select a time-wasting habit you recognize, and we’ll show you uplifting alternatives that feed your spirit instead of draining your time. No shame here—just a little clarity, a bit of encouragement, and a chance to spend your time on what lights you up!
Select a time-wasting habit to discover uplifting, meaningful alternatives.
Yes, it absolutely can be! One person’s “waste of time” might be another person’s therapy. Watching baby goat videos for an hour? You might call that procrastination—someone else calls it stress relief. The real question isn’t “Is this a waste of time?”—it’s “What is this time costing me?”
Let’s put it this way: if what you’re doing is consistently draining your energy, making you feel guilty, or pulling you further from the life you want, then it’s probably not helping. Wasting time doesn’t always show up as laziness—it can disguise itself as busyness, doom-scrolling, or even over-committing to things that don’t align with your values.
But don’t panic! Recognizing this isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about becoming more aware of what truly fills your cup and what just empties it. Time is a gift—sometimes we just need to check how we’re unwrapping it.
Short answer? Nope. Absolutely not.
Rest isn’t laziness—it’s wisdom. Even God took a day off after six days of creation. If the Creator of the universe can rest, you can too. Doing nothing *on purpose* can actually be the most productive thing you do all day. Why? Because your brain and body need space to breathe, reset, and heal.
“Chillaxing”—that glorious combo of chilling and relaxing—isn’t the problem. The problem starts when your downtime turns into an accidental full-time job. If “just a few minutes” on your phone turns into three hours and you’re left feeling numb, not refreshed, that’s a signal.
The goal isn’t to hustle 24/7. It’s to live intentionally. So yes, binge-watch your favorite show, take a long nap, stare out the window like a cat. But do it on purpose. Choose rest that actually feels restful, not just numbing. Big difference.
Here’s the simplest way to know: How do you feel afterward?
Some activities leave you feeling energized, peaceful, or inspired—like taking a walk, creating something, having a deep conversation, or laughing so hard your sides hurt. That’s a pretty good sign it’s feeding your life, not draining it.
Other activities might feel good in the moment, but leave you frustrated, empty, or more tired than before (we're looking at you, 3-hour TikTok spiral). It’s not about shame—it’s about patterns. If something keeps pulling you away from your goals, your values, or your peace of mind, it’s worth pausing to ask: “Is this helping me grow?”
You don’t need a degree in philosophy to figure this out. Just pay attention. Do you feel more like the person you want to become, or less? More connected to God, others, and yourself—or more scattered and stuck?
There’s no perfect formula—but over time, your soul gets pretty good at telling the difference between junk food and real nourishment. Listen to it.
“To all the people who always said I'd never amount to anything because of my procrastination... just you wait!”
“The past, present and future walked into a bar. It was tense.”
“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” — Bertrand Russell
“Time is a waste of time. So if you can get good usage out of your time, then wasting it will really be using it.” (Read full article)
“I’m going to stop putting things off... starting tomorrow!” — Sam Levenson
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” — Sam Levenson
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” — Mae West
“Never waste a minute thinking about people you don’t like.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower
“You may delay, but time will not.” — Benjamin Franklin
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” — Bruce Lee
“It’s such a shame to waste time. We always think we have so much of it.” ― Mitch Albom
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ― Mother Teresa
Living your best life isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. Slow down, stay present, and be thoughtful about where your time goes.
Hello 😝
Remember: All and any Wellness Tools on shouldiworktoday.com are for personal reflection and awareness. They are not medical, psychological, or business assessments. For serious concerns about your physical or mental health, finances, or entrepreneurial planning, please consult a licensed professional or advisor.
Some pages may share resources that link to affiliate products or services. If you make a purchase using one of our links, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running and full of helpful tools. Thanks for your support!
© 2025 Should I Work Today. All rights reserved.