How do you manage to do all the things you want to do?

This is mainly directed towards those who have many and broad interests, who have somehow found a way to balance all of them more or less equally.

How do you manage to balance all of your interests that are so equal from each other? As somebody who plans to become a psychologist but is also interested in ethology, zoomorphology, archeology, and fashion history, how can I possibly engage in all of these things? Study independent courses? Watch Youtube videos on the subjects?

It just feels like there’s so little time but so much to do and explore.

Kolanaki ,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

It's easy when you don't want to do anything.

AppaYipYip ,
@AppaYipYip@lemmy.world avatar

So if you are in school or going back to school for psychology then I recommend just focusing on your degree and maybe take elective classes in your side interests when you have time. I didn't study psychology but my major was really labor intensive and I needed all the time I could to study and work on projects. However, I did take a fun forensics class as an elective that is still one of my all time favorite classes since I loved CSI.

After you graduate and get a steady job, you'll have more time to focus on your interests. I schedule out my week and take classes at a local school after work in things that interest me. Then weekends I dedicate to family/friend time. I also watch YouTube videos in my free time.

As many people have mentioned kids, its good to note that I don't have kids at this time. I plan to have kids in the future and am aware that my night classes will have to end when I do. However that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make because I really want kids. I just hope that one day I'll be able to share my hobbies with future kids or enjoy what hobbies they are interested in.

clark OP ,
@clark@midwest.social avatar

Thanks for sharing this! It’s appreciative to know there are people who actually can balance work and their hobbies.

BlowMe ,

I dont do anything. That's it.

kionite231 ,

Are you depressed or something?

Cratermaker ,

For a long time I tried, but one day I just decided to focus on the hobbies I care the most about. I dumped a lot of time into software for my career, then kept up with bass guitar practice and dirt biking. All the other hobbies are things I might pick up if I have a surplus of time, but I've accepted that I'll never go that deep into them.

RBWells ,

I don't. Or more accurately, I focus on what makes money so we can survive, and dabble in the other interests.

So in your example - become a psychologist, and just stay interested in the other stuff. Travel and learn about archaeology. Read and learn about zoomorphology, learn to draw and do illustrations, sell them as your side hustle. Do cosplay and be critical of the wardrobes in historical dramas. Use your other interests to enrich your life to the extent you can manage to enjoy at a pace you find best. And be mindful, don't always focus on what you can't do, be present in your life, live it.

send_me_your_mommy_milkers ,
@send_me_your_mommy_milkers@lemmy.world avatar

By being overwhelmed and not doing them all.

Or take meds and follow the daily and weekly planning I make every sunday.

kionite231 ,

May I ask which meds are you taking? My phyciatrist has given me some meds which I have to take in case of anxiety. But those meds literally feels like drugs which aren't illegal.

send_me_your_mommy_milkers ,
@send_me_your_mommy_milkers@lemmy.world avatar

Methylphenidate (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate)

Dextroamphetamine is also prescribed frequently but that really does feel like drugs (because it pretty much is)

bear ,

Realistically you make choices and say no to many things so that you have the time and energy to spend on the few things you care more about.

TheBigBrother ,

I don't.

Nemo ,

I don't. At some point, you've got to prioritize.

hanrahan ,
@hanrahan@slrpnk.net avatar

I quit work at 35 because there are so many things I wanted to do, and.paid work wasn't one of them, am now 58.

Alas now there are just more things I want to do.

Waldowal ,
@Waldowal@lemmy.world avatar

I'm jealous. How did you afford that?

sharkfucker420 ,
@sharkfucker420@lemmy.ml avatar

https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/b4abdaa1-2703-42e6-a94c-812c1e074b96.png

ShittyBeatlesFCPres , (edited )

One piece of advice I can offer (as someone with a similar wide range of interests) is that you should sometimes treat life like a field trip. If you meet an expert in something, ask questions and show enthusiasm. Experts (usually) love talking about their favorite topic. I know a gearhead who restores old cars who doesn’t talk much. But if I ask about any car, he will put his beer down and talk about different cars until the sun comes up. Chefs love talking about food. Most people like telling people about their life’s work (as long as you aren’t the type of asshole who tries to tell a Ph D they’re wrong because someone on the internet said something else).

Also, people say life is short. It’s actually simultaneously too short and too long. You won’t have time to be a Ph D level expert in all your interests but you’ll (hopefully) have decades to learn about whatever floats your boat. Life can get in the way but if you find hobbies you like, it’s restorative. Work and family responsibilities exist, to be sure, and lots of people feel too drained for hobbies but doing something fun isn’t draining.

shinigamiookamiryuu ,

I just find ways to combine them all and multi-task whenever possible.

intensely_human ,

I don’t. I have to prioritize them.

Which I avoid doing.

So basically, I do none of them.

PhlubbaDubba ,

"That's the neat part, you don't!"

Actual answer, ya gotta learn to prioritize what you can manage at any one time, otherwise you're gonna bury yourself under the weight of mounting project pressure.

My boss and I wanted to do some fancy data formatting shenanigans this year, but I've fallen sick enough that we gotta backburner it until I can get back at full capacity.

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