This is mainly directed towards those who have many and broad interests, who have somehow found a way to balance all of them more or less equally.

How do you manage to balance all of your interests that are so equal from each other? As somebody who plans to become a psychologist but is also interested in ethology, zoomorphology, archeology, and fashion history, how can I possibly engage in all of these things? Study independent courses? Watch Youtube videos on the subjects?

It just feels like there’s so little time but so much to do and explore.

    • jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      edit-2
      5 days ago

      “I’m going to get so much done today.” or “If I clean the house, it’s going to stay that way for more than ten minutes.” are just some of the lies I tell myself to help me stay motivated

      • TheMinions@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        5 days ago

        I swear I have spent 3 hours cleaning the kitchen today and like 1.5 hours cooking.

        The rest of the house isn’t that bad, but I just do not have time for any hobbies before 9pm unless they somehow include my kids, such as camping or swimming.

  • RBWells@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    4 days ago

    I don’t. Or more accurately, I focus on what makes money so we can survive, and dabble in the other interests.

    So in your example - become a psychologist, and just stay interested in the other stuff. Travel and learn about archaeology. Read and learn about zoomorphology, learn to draw and do illustrations, sell them as your side hustle. Do cosplay and be critical of the wardrobes in historical dramas. Use your other interests to enrich your life to the extent you can manage to enjoy at a pace you find best. And be mindful, don’t always focus on what you can’t do, be present in your life, live it.

  • Chainweasel@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    5 days ago

    I don’t.
    I don’t have kids, I work 40hrs a week, I don’t buy little things I want because there’s a few “big” things I want that’ll I’ll need about $800 for.
    I make it almost paycheck to paycheck and it will take me at least 6 months to save $800 if I buy nothing else.

  • Hanrahan@slrpnk.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    5 days ago

    I quit work at 35 because there are so many things I wanted to do, and.paid work wasn’t one of them, am now 58.

    Alas now there are just more things I want to do.

  • AppaYipYip@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    3 days ago

    So if you are in school or going back to school for psychology then I recommend just focusing on your degree and maybe take elective classes in your side interests when you have time. I didn’t study psychology but my major was really labor intensive and I needed all the time I could to study and work on projects. However, I did take a fun forensics class as an elective that is still one of my all time favorite classes since I loved CSI.

    After you graduate and get a steady job, you’ll have more time to focus on your interests. I schedule out my week and take classes at a local school after work in things that interest me. Then weekends I dedicate to family/friend time. I also watch YouTube videos in my free time.

    As many people have mentioned kids, its good to note that I don’t have kids at this time. I plan to have kids in the future and am aware that my night classes will have to end when I do. However that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make because I really want kids. I just hope that one day I’ll be able to share my hobbies with future kids or enjoy what hobbies they are interested in.

    • Wild Bill@midwest.socialOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      Thanks for sharing this! It’s appreciative to know there are people who actually can balance work and their hobbies.

  • Bear@lemmynsfw.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    5 days ago

    Realistically you make choices and say no to many things so that you have the time and energy to spend on the few things you care more about.

  • ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    edit-2
    5 days ago

    One piece of advice I can offer (as someone with a similar wide range of interests) is that you should sometimes treat life like a field trip. If you meet an expert in something, ask questions and show enthusiasm. Experts (usually) love talking about their favorite topic. I know a gearhead who restores old cars who doesn’t talk much. But if I ask about any car, he will put his beer down and talk about different cars until the sun comes up. Chefs love talking about food. Most people like telling people about their life’s work (as long as you aren’t the type of asshole who tries to tell a Ph D they’re wrong because someone on the internet said something else).

    Also, people say life is short. It’s actually simultaneously too short and too long. You won’t have time to be a Ph D level expert in all your interests but you’ll (hopefully) have decades to learn about whatever floats your boat. Life can get in the way but if you find hobbies you like, it’s restorative. Work and family responsibilities exist, to be sure, and lots of people feel too drained for hobbies but doing something fun isn’t draining.

  • PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    5 days ago

    “That’s the neat part, you don’t!”

    Actual answer, ya gotta learn to prioritize what you can manage at any one time, otherwise you’re gonna bury yourself under the weight of mounting project pressure.

    My boss and I wanted to do some fancy data formatting shenanigans this year, but I’ve fallen sick enough that we gotta backburner it until I can get back at full capacity.