Leisure time! What a wonderful sounding term. One can imagine lounging by the pool, walking through a beautiful park, or sipping a glass of your favorite adult beverage concoction while watching the squirrels and birds compete for the seed in your bird feeder. Yes, one can imagine those things, but they are getting harder and harder for many of us to experience.

Whether you are talking about Boomers like me or whatever term is used for other population segments, leisure time is becoming harder and harder to experience. Some will shake their head and think I’m overly pessimistic or something. I am a student of humanity, politics, and many other interests.

I am not talking about inactivity time or just doing nothing time. Leisure time is when one can get away from the daily grind, be that a job, going to school, taking care of yourself, taking care of family, or doing anything else to make a buck or bettering yourself somehow.

It is also a time when you can escape society’s problems and challenges. Sadly, thanks to technological advancements, walking through the woods, lounging by the pool, or having a drink while watching animals eat and play is regularly interrupted by the troubles you hoped to forget for a moment or two.

So, what do I consider leisure time and enjoy the most about that time? I took the advice of a very smart lady I met decades ago. She was president of a well-known women’s university and was speaking to a group of administrative types in the public sector.

I cannot remember her exact words, but I can recall the session. At one point, she looked each of us in the eye and said there was one place where she could have a bit of solitude, time to relax and read or consider something important. She then smiled and said the bathroom.

Yes, she was very serious, and she was right. Sitting on the porcelain throne for long periods may not be good for certain parts of your anatomy, but using it is a good way to seclude yourself, mull something over, or proofread your work.

I adopted that policy for the rest of my administrative career and still use it today to get some quiet time. One of my colleagues even made something for me to memorialize my leisure time at work.*

* The original model was unfortunately destroyed during a relocation. The one above, should you want one, can be ordered through the link in the caption area.

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