What do I do with / Does anyone else get too much down-time?

Question

I'm not sure how to best ask this question or even exactly what I'm asking for, so I'll start by just explaining my situation... I have a marketing account management job that I do enjoy. The pay is great and my working environment couldn't be better. However, there are irregular periods when I have A LOT of down-time. I am the type of person that needs to be working steadily to feel accomplished or fulfilled. Even on weekends, I like to have a short to-do list. Now don't misunderstand me; I'm far from a work-a-holic. I simply despise wasting time. So when I have these days (and sometimes weeks) of very little work, I can become on edge. I even try to bring things from home with me to the office to work on or do (like scrapbooking projects or movies to watch), but my workday is nowhere near filled. I tell my employers all the time that I like to be busy, and they are aware of my virtually non-existant workload during these periods, but they seem unconcerned. I do not think that my job is in jepoardy, so that's not my issue. I just want to know what I can do to fill my time productively. A girl can only organize her files so many times!

As an extension to this question, I'd like to add that because I feel like I don't do anything all day at work, when my husband and I come home in the evenings, he wants to relax, and I've felt like I've spent my whole day relaxing. What can I do to bridge this gap? -- Once again, I'm not concerned about my marriage, I just don't want to spend my days in total relax-mode, nor do I want to take up my husband's evenings working on projects and not allowing him to take it easy.

I appreciate any suggestions or personal anecdotes that you all could share. Thanks!

P.S. I'm posting this in the mental health section because I don't feel like the issue is necessarily job- or husband-related. It's more of a how-can-I-deal-with-the-situation issue.

Answer 1

As someone who likes to be busy and has worked several jobs with very little "work" to do, I understand where you're coming from. Bring a book, put on some music, get up and take a walk from time to time...these things help a little, but won't solve your problem. Talk to your employer about telecommuting or working from home, at least a couple days a week during your slow times. I work from home now for part of the week, and it makes me feel so much more productive if I can be doing my job and folding laundry at the same time.

As far as your husband, try suggesting things that he enjoys but that will get you out of the house as well, and maybe try alternating hanging out relaxing days with more active activities.