The Fine Art of Just “Hanging Out”

Hanging out is another one of those skills that we master as a kid, then slowly un-learn how to do it properly the older we get.

It happened naturally. Hanging out with friends in your neighborhood was part of growing up.

To be fair, a big reason we had so much time for hanging out back then was life was much simpler. We had no responsibilities.

Okay, there was homework… there was taking out the trash… doing dishes (ugh!) … cleaning up your mess…

Like I said, we had no responsibilities.

So, we carry this valued skill throughout our school years, perfecting it by the time college rolls along. Building on it into our twenties.

Case in point, on Thursdays, my college buddies and I could hang out and watch four episodes of M*A*S*H.

Not only could we, we did… many, many times.

Here’s my true confession… I still love to hang out. Even though life has become far too busy and complex.

I do. I refuse to accept that life is so complicated that we can’t have some downtime with friends, or by ourselves.

When I travel, it’s not the history and the museums so much. But rather the local experience. Hanging out in a sidewalk café or some other gathering spot, and soaking it all in… immersing myself in a way.

It’s about being there, it’s about the experience.

What about you? Do you still find time to hang out? What do you think? Am I nuts?

We deserve downtime and it’s good for us. I could do some quick research and validate that statement for you. But you can Google it just as easily as I can. My excuse? I’m kind of just feeling like hanging out here.

The mood has struck!

Before I move on to sharing some more advanced hanging out techniques, I want to give you a chance to do that Google thing. Search on Adam Grant AND downtime. You’ll find some very convincing evidence why you actually need intentional downtime.

Now, back to hanging out with some advanced hanging out techniques…

First, some essentials—

• Hanging out is a lot like beer. It’s better with friends. Hanging out, with friends, having beers is even better.
• Hanging out alone is awesome too. For one reason and one reason only, you get to choose. Choose what? Choose everything… where, when, how long, doing what. Everything.
• The place you choose to hang out is of utmost importance. It all about the setting, the mood, ambiance if you will.

Much of what is so great about hanging out alone is the stream of consciousness (and unconsciousness) that can come with it. This happens at more advanced levels when you can forget about the world around you and get lost in your thoughts.

 

Let’s begin…

 

With friends,

In a bar,

After the game.

 

Outside,

On the deck,

In the backyard.

 

In a park,

By a lake,

With green all around.

 

At a café,

In a coffee shop,

Book in hand.

 

On the front porch,

Talking about life,

And what we’re going to do.

 

Getting some sun,

Dreaming big,

Looking only forward.

 

Solving problems,

Just being,

An armchair philosopher.

 

Lost in time,

Watching people,

Do their people things.

 

Sometimes,

Not doing anything,

Is the best thing.

 

Did you find yourself slipping away to a favorite place? Hanging out will take you there.

When was the last time you took some time… just to hang out?

Always remember, “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time” –Bertrand Russell

 

Thanks for visiting LifeUntucked.net! We’ll be exploring this amazing, hyper-connected world and figuring out how to live bigger lives through smaller things and simpler ways.

I post on Wednesdays.

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