It seems to be a trend that, when I have a lot of free time, I worry about things. I might get depressed about something, or maybe sad that something is a certain way in the world.

When I'm busy, though, I don't have time to think these thoughts. I feel more happy, I think.

Do others feel the same way? Does keeping busy keep you happy?

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be immersed

For me, the more free time I have, the happier

Is it free time or idle time that's the problem? Idle time often leaves me unhappy. Free time where I'm spending time on a project I find interesting is fine. But my problem is that my free time turns to idleness too easily.

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Occupy Babel!

More free time = happier for me.

I think it's idle time, yes.

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be immersed

You have a baby! Making funny faces at him doesn't count as idle, does it?

When he's asleep, there's always tsumego.

I've been thinking about this for a while: I've been basically unemployed for a while now, and some days I feel fantastic, some days I feel useless. The thing that has been triggering the less-happy thoughts seems to be unproductive days - I'm never bored because I have the internet, but if I spend a day only "not being bored" (at the moment watching StarCraft2 streams tends to fill those days) then that's it.

So yes I agree - idle time (or unproductive time) isn't great.