What would you do with lots of free time?

I would do crafts, read, and hang out with nature. I would probably also spend a lot of time on the internet, although I consider that not spending time wisely.

@jca crafts take money tho. well not unless you use milk jugs or something.

@anniereborn: I have craft stuff in my house, and if I had to, I’d get stuff from nature (leaves, bark, shells, etc.). If that were not permissible, I’d take crafts off my list. So the list would become read and hang out with nature, and probably a lot of time on the internet. Maybe TV too, but I’m not a big TV watcher (especially during the day time when it’s all crap).

That’s not a scenario I like. In my experience, unlimited free time diminishes the value of said free time, making it much less enjoyable.

To answer the question: I’d cook elaborate meals instead of fixing something quickly. I’d clean the house, put on music and exercise, play with the dogs, train and walk the dogs, play the piano, read, and spend time on Fluther. If I am allowed to invite friends, I would definitely do that, too. There are lots of things I can do with my friends without spending money.

Learn Python, PHP, Ruby, MySQL, Objective C, Linux server administration and so on. It is all free to learn.

Writing, reading, video games, movies, the internet, going to Edx to learn my free courses…

I’m beginning to miss my summer holiday…

I’d write, go for walks. Take photos. Draw. Reading and study. If I could cadge lifts and places to stay, I’d travel too.

Wow. Where would I start? I’d probably start with…

- meditate
– walk/exercise
– learn how to draw
– get far better at guitar
– campaign for Bernie Sanders
– learn Spanish
– learn as much as I can (I know less than .0000001% of stuff, so there is endless opportunity here) about every topic that interests me
– catch up on my programming skills

Get outside. Walk to nature.

Read.

Get nice ingredients to cook nice healthy meals that take longer than I usually have to make meals.

I’ve tried to answer this question three times now and I’m stumped. With the exception of a day here and there, I haven’t had any free time in about twenty years. I haven’t had “lots of” free time since I was in high school.

I’m so far removed from the concept, I actually get nervous thinking about it.

I don’t want to go there, because I’d go back to hunting and fishing a lot, and I don’t want to hurt any animals anymore. You don’t want to know how many things I put on the table growing up.

Some described wanting to cook elaborate meals with incredible ingredients. By the OP’s specifications for “basic needs,” it’s not clear whether or not we’d be able to afford elaborate and incredible ingredients, which I think of as possibly expensive, or more than “basic.”

@jca Congrats, you read the details.

@Adirondackwannabe: I know if I thought elaborate meals with incredible ingredients were a possibility according to the OP’s details, I would have definitely included that on my list. I would love a work free life with incredible meals!

@jca Elaborate meals can be cheaper than quick ones. I was thinking about the time factor, which is what usually keeps me from complicated cooking.

@jca Oh god, you’ve got my mouth watering thinking of some really great food.
@longgone Yeah, in the Winter I don’t mind spending 8 or 9 hours on a dish. Not in the Summer though.

@longgone: I know they can but I don’t think of “elaborate ingredients” as being cheaper. But I realize they can – wasn’t clear from OP’s specifications for “basic needs” which I think of as not too exciting LOL.

@jca I’m the one who said nice ingredients to cook nice healthy meals.

By that I mean I would have the time to select good vegetables, but I consider that basic needs. The difference between having the time and being rushed is that one often chooses ingredients that can be cooked quickly rather than taking time for proper preparation.

@zenvelo: I wasn’t referring to that alone. I was also referring to @longgone‘s post about “elaborate meals.”

I understand nice ingredients are “basic” but some people might not consider that “basic needs” which is where the splitting of the hairs comes in. To me, basic needs might be a chicken or a piece of steak, some fresh spinach and rice. Maybe dessert. Some diet soda would be nice. To others, it might be elaborate. It might include some vino. To some, it might be a can of soup. I guess if you ask 20 people what “basic needs” are you’ll get 20 different answers.

I’d do nothing. I’d become an outright lazy bastard.

Good point about the food everyone. Yes you would be able to buy food, But think….shopping at Aldi or SavAlot or other place like that around you.

Not sure about Aldi, but the shit you get at Save-A-Lot isn’t exactly what I’d call “fit for human consumption”.

Hence the discrepancy about “basic needs.” If I lived on an austerity budget I’d be happy with a can or something frozen. I’m probably “middle of the road” which means, to me a bunch of choices.

well considering you are allowed a basic phone an internet, more than a can of soup is allowed. just nothing “expensive”

Perhaps the chefs might also take up gardening and then they could grow fresh herbs and vegetables with their new-found time? That might resolve some of the access to ingredients. They could even have their own chickens and livestock!

@Earthbound_Misfit: Perhaps the chefs will have have access to a rowboat and then can fish for some fresh catch, which will be a wonderful addition of protein, and yet will also take up some free time!

Indeed, @jca. That’s possible too. If only it could come true and we could all have such free time.

I do have such free time as a matter of fact. This is why I asked the question.

Read. Watch Crash Course on YouTube .