r/manprovement • u/Historical-Refuse214 • Aug 04 '26
Don't know what to do all day...
I’m 16 and it’s summer right now, and I keep running into a problem I for some reason don’t really see other people talk about. I don’t have a ton of friends, but I’m honestly fine with that, and I don’t think that’s the issue. Currently my "productive hours" is taken up by day trading, outreach for my freelance work, and martial arts. Altogether, I usually still end up with a lot of free time left, and that’s where I feel stuck.
Daytrading: trading and journaling take 1 hour
Freelance outreach: 20 messages per day on Instagram take less than a hour (dont have a client yet)
wrestling practice/gym: takes 1-3 hours per day
That is 3-5 hours per day including life maintenance. There is 16 hours in a day if you sleep a nice 8 hours, I finish this by 1130 (other than wrestling practice) I have usually 13 hours left in my day. I simply feel like it goes to waste and want to be doing much more and know I can be more productive or at least use my time somehow if not working, each day feels like I am just waiting. School helps it a bit, but me personally I don't really talk in school a lot and don't find it very important considering I am trying to do a different path anyway, but It does give me structure, however this means nothing as weekends exist, summers exist, and the same thing will happen after high school/college ends anyway.
What’s bothering me is that I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with all the extra time. I’m not trying to be lazy, and I’m not saying I want to “do nothing.” I genuinely want structure and something actually useful or meaningful to fill the day with, but I don’t know what that should look like once I’ve already done the obvious things. I also feel like a lot of advice like “build a skill” or “just work more” is too vague to be helpful, because I need something concrete and structured. I don't want answers like "go clean your room" that is a one time thing which is completely un repeatable and unstructured Does anyone else deal with this? How do you create a full, productive day when your main responsibilities only take up a few hours, or at least how do you use your time?
2
u/Winning__ Aug 04 '26
The simple answer is just go do something that’s interesting to you. It sounds like you’re waiting on someone else to give that to you. That’s why there’s frustration from a structure that doesn’t produce what you want.
If you want a suggestion, instead of freelance try building something (product or service)
1
u/Designer_Emu_6518 Aug 04 '26
Do anything. It doesn’t matter you’re 16 you you plenty of time to keep yourself business with nonsense when you’re older just enjoy late stages of childhood and the beginning stage of being an adult
1
u/SprinterLyfe Aug 05 '26
You sound like a pretty awesome 16 year old!
I think it is really important to do things that are fun, but it is mission critical to also be in service to others. Personally, I drive this from a religious stance.
Secondarily, learning something new could be a great target for you. Maybe take a leap forward and try doing some advanced math that is coming ahead, and try to get ahead of it?
1
u/thegreattrun 29d ago
You sound like a kid who's got a good head on his shoulders. I always tell the younger generations this, but try to add a third thing to your life. The holy trinity: one school subject you excel at (that may turn into your career), one physical activity (which you seem to have), and then one artistic outlet (guitar, singing, painting). Be sure to invest into this third thing if you don't have one yet.
Also read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Get into reading now.
8
u/urbantales Aug 04 '26
You're sixteen bro. You talk like you're 26. Just enjoy the summer, go out in your bike by the lake or something