How I Make the Most of My Free Time at Home

If you’re someone who loves spending time at home or you’re still trying to find joy in solitude, this post is for you. I’ve always been a homebody—not because I “hate going out,” but because home is where I recharge, create, and feel most like myself.

As an introvert, I’ve often heard:

“Why do you hate being outside?”

“You’re so anti-social.”

OK, let’s clear that up: I don’t hate being outside (I love to travel, remember?). I just don’t enjoy being out and wasting time on things that don’t interest me, like strolling through malls, window shopping, or meeting people I barely know. I’m also not anti-social. I have friends, and I can interact with people just fine—especially when someone gives me a good vibe. The truth is, I’m just selective. I carefully choose how and where I spend my time because I know I burn out easily around people. I protect my energy because once it’s gone, so is my creativity.

And honestly? I thrive in my own space, so I make sure my energy is well spent. Here’s how I make the most of my free time at home—and maybe you’ll find a little inspiration to create your own peaceful routine, too.

✍️ Writing and Editing Blog Content

Blogging isn’t just my passion—it’s my therapy. Most days, you’ll find me writing at my desk, headphones on, in my own little creative bubble. A single blog post can take hours (sometimes days!) to finish because I pour my heart into it. That’s why I’m often unreachable when I’m at home—I don’t like interruptions while writing.

Blogging allows me to express myself, share experiences, and connect with amazing readers like you. The emails and messages I receive mean everything—they remind me why I started. And who knows? One day, I might write a book. (Not yet, though… still learning and growing.)

🎬 Binge-Watching TV Shows and Films

Confession: I’m a horror junkie. 😈

When I’m not writing, I’m usually watching something spooky—either a horror series, movie, or short film on YouTube. If there’s nothing new, I go down the rabbit hole of creepy stories and true crime.

On Formula 1 race days—usually Sunday evenings or nights—nothing else gets my attention. I’m glued to the screen.

My go-to YouTube channels:
Coffeehouse Crime.
BuzzFeed Unsolved.
True Horror Stories POV.

📸 Learning Photography & Photo Editing

I’m a huge fan of good photography, and honestly, it frustrates me when people take bad pictures of me. Because of that, I’ve learnt some skills on Skillshare to guide those who help me take my photos.

I’ve also experimented with different editing techniques to find what works best for me. If you follow me on Instagram, you might notice I’ve been playing around with red tones in some of my pictures. Red was never my favourite colour, but that’s me, growing and having fun with it.

🎹 Playing Piano or Guitar

Two years ago, I bought a keyboard piano. A year later, I got myself a guitar. Music is therapeutic for me—I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t have music playing in the background. It helps me stay productive. I’m not very skilled at either instrument yet, but learning to play both has been an enjoyable and calming experience.

Here are my top 3 favourite YouTube channels for learning music:
Pianote.
Andy Guitar.
Creative Piano Academy.

🧠 Taking Online Courses & Exploring New Interests

I’m endlessly curious.
From astronomy and ancient history to social etiquette, I love feeding my mind. I’ve spent hours on e-learning platforms just exploring what catches my interest.

I also like it when people share their knowledge with me without making me look dumb. I mean, it annoys me when people want to “test” someone’s intelligence by asking a question regarding knowledge they already possess. Knowledge should be shared, not used as a tool to make others feel inadequate. Not everyone remembers everything they’ve learnt, and not everyone can recall information under pressure. If you have any knowledge, share it generously without ego.

My favourite platforms for e-learning and online courses:

Edx.Org.
Pll.harvard.edu.
Annabey.com

Final Thoughts

So no, I’m not anti-social. I just know what makes me feel alive.
I spend my time at home doing what I love—writing, creating, learning, growing. And honestly? That’s more than enough for me.

If you’re wired like me, don’t feel pressured to “do more” just because the world says so. Quiet time is powerful. Home is where magic happens.

Thanks for reading,
x, Hani