How to Take Leisure Seriously
Doing things just for the heck of it, plus some furniture I'd like to lounge on.
We all spend our free time differently. For the last few years, I’ve spent some of my leisure time reading about leisure. Leisure is what you do just for the sake of doing it. Most of the time, it’s the things you do away from work, school, and other obligations. But we all have our own definition of leisure and what we consider work or play.
To me, leisure is working on this newsletter, digging the internet for home inspo, and rearranging my furniture. It’s reading a good book on a park bench with my dog, taking a random Tuesday off, having a long lunch, and watching a documentary. It’s also taking an 11 am Pilates class, volunteering, and spending hours researching topics that fascinate me. Leisure isn’t just “doing nothing.”
I recently read a condensed version of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. In it, Aristotle says that “to be at leisure is to be free to pursue studies and activities aimed at the cultivation of virtue.”
We *need* leisure for our well-being. We always have and always will. Another book I recently picked up is Life and Leisure in Ancient Rome. They went hard on work and business but always prioritized leisure.
“Leisure activities play a very important role in subjective well-being because they provide opportunities to meet real-life values and needs. [People can] build social relationships, feel positive emotions, acquire additional skills and knowledge, and therefore improve their quality of life.”
— An excerpt from this other JSTOR article on leisure and well-being
Historically, leisure activities were for the upper class. The more money you had, the less you had to work. You could spend more time attending operas, traveling for the summer, pursuing horseback riding, and hanging out in intellectual salons. The lower classes made time for leisure too, but in a way that was more accessible and affordable to them. To my parents and grandparents, leisure in El Salvador during the ‘60s and ‘70s was sitting on the iconic Monobloc chair with friends, spending time at the beach nearby, or going for swims at the nearby creek on hot, sticky days.
We are all deserving of leisure time, no matter how busy we are, how much money we have, or what we do for work. We just have to be intentional about carving out time for it, especially if it’s not a seamless part of your day already. Here are some things I do to bring more leisure time into my life.
Research for fun
Research is one of my favorite leisure activities. Being curious makes life exciting. As a kid, I was interested in a different topic every week at the library. One week it’d be clouds, the next week it’d be about poisonous animals. I’ve tried to carry this curiosity with me throughout my life, hence my obsession with collecting interesting books. Go to the public library and check out some books. Make an account on JSTOR and read papers and articles for fun. Visit an old bookstore and pick up a book about something you’ve been curious about. Watch a documentary you wouldn’t normally watch. It feels so good to learn. I like to do this at least once a week.
Use PTO for leisure days
One of my small pleasures is taking off a day during the week. Pleasurable Time Off! You don’t need a special trip planned to take your PTO — a simple day of leisure is enough. I love using these days to visit spots that are otherwise too packed on the weekends, like those bakeries with long lines or those neighborhoods that are always too crowded on other days. And make sure to treat yourself to an extra long lunch, too. I once took myself to a nice lunch and then went to see a movie by myself at 2:00 pm. I had the loveliest time in that empty theater.
Leisure in good company
Community is everything — and experiencing leisure as a community is even better. I love the communities I’m finding myself becoming a part of here in New York City. And if there’s something you want that isn’t currently out there, build it yourself. When people make time for leisure and well-being, it affects the whole community — leisure has a domino effect! I know friends who are part of tennis teams, surf communities, and writing clubs, and that’s how they like to spend their leisure time.
Move your body mindfully and leisurely
Nothing makes me feel better than when I dedicate time to moving my body. This can be a 5-minute stretch, a 20-minute yoga flow, or an hour-long Pilates session. It doesn’t even have to be costly, either. Going on a run is free! I’ve been enjoying Krissy Arocho’s running videos. She runs every day, even if some of those days it’s just a short run. When you move your body, it’s for you. And if you don’t feel like moving your body (because sometimes the last thing you want to do is work out), then treat your body to a massage. I’ve been loving Spencer’s Spa. And if you want a more cost-effective option, tell your partner to give you a massage with this Maude candle. 10/10.
No to plans (sometimes), yes to leisure (always)
I’ve had weeks where I had something on my calendar after work every evening, back-to-back events, weekends with hangouts across different boroughs, and freelance writing deadlines — all on top of my full-time job. I’ve gotten better at saying “no” this past year, but sometimes weeks like this still happen.
If I don’t get enough time to myself, I feel extremely drained, so I try my best to avoid getting to this point. Sometimes you have to be realistic with yourself: should I go to this even though I already have so many other things going on that day? What is my body telling me? You’re allowed to say no. Stay home. Watch a long movie. Organize your closet. Bake a sweet treat. Roast a good meal. Journal. Write your newsletter. Work on your business. Read. Lounge around. It’s your free time, so do what you want at your own leisurely pace.
Lie on the floor
Ideally the grass. I don’t lie on the grass and look up at the sky enough, but I’m trying to change that this year, especially now that spring is coming. Stay there for a long time, try to find shapes in the clouds, and take a few deep breaths. If I’m at home, I try to lie on the floor daily for at least 10 minutes, even if it’s the busiest day because that's usually when I need it the most. Mini leisure time is better than no leisure time.
I hope you block off some leisure time on your calendar this week (and always).
Furniture I’d Like to Lounge On One Day
While we’re on the topic of leisure, here’s some furniture I can see myself reclining on.
Mole Armchair, Sérgio Rodriguez
There’s currently one on 1st Dibs with an ottoman for $36,400.
“[He] created the ‘Mole’ concept between 1956 and 1957 at the photographer Otto Stupakoff's request…The sofa should have cushions where the person throws the body as if attracted by the piece's comfort.”
2. Mies Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Archizoom Associati
Okay, maybe this one isn’t conducive to leisure but I’m actually curious about how this would feel. You can get it for $12,364.
MR Chaise Lounge, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
This one was designed to fit the human body and it looks like you would just sink in deliciously. This and a good book? Need.
Daybed
As a Daily Power Napper (20 minutes: nothing more, nothing less), I’ve always wanted a daybed in my office space. This is a fun mid-century Danish Teak Daybed Sofa in Mustard Corduroy.
Flag Halyard Chair, Hans Wegner
My partner once worked in Copenhagen for a year at an industrial design studio. They had one of these chairs in the studio, and to this day, he thinks about it all the time—how he wishes to sit in it again one day. Apparently, it’s perfect for daydreaming.
Conversation Pit
All I want is to experience a sunken living room. I love looking up conversation pits because they look so velvety and soft and perfect for leisure.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend, leave a comment, and subscribe. And say hello on Instagram or TikTok!
I feel as though your Substack, which I discovered yesterday, has unlocked something in me. Has paved a path in my brain that was previously blocked. The inspiration it has given me has me writing my own post for small pleasures I found this February. I was surprised that when I stepped back I had many small pleasures that carried me through this month, that my depression did not have as strong a hold on me and perhaps won't moving forward if I know where to look and what to focus on. And now I will look towards leisure and other small pleasures as spring slowly breaks through the winter!
I want leisure to become the majority part of my day.