Where you're heading shows in how you spend free time

You suddenly have a few hours completely to yourself. No obligations, no one needs you, nothing scheduled.

What's the first thing you do?

My wife went to her parents with our son for the first time. They stayed overnight. I thought I'd finally get some real rest. A full day to myself, no interruptions, I'd recharge completely.

The next day when they came back, I was more exhausted than the days before.

That kept happening. Every time she went to her parents with him, I expected to feel rested. Instead I ended up more drained.

I know someone who gets the same kind of free time. His response? Straight to the pub. Stays there until 3am. Complete autopilot. Free time equals beer time.

That contrast made it clear. How you use this time says something about where you're heading.

I'm not saying don't have a life. I play with my son, I go to the gym, I spend time with family. Normal life, normal priorities. But when I suddenly have precious time alone, time that's truly mine, I don't let it slip into mindless escape.

When that rare moment comes, I think about maximizing it. Either I do things that need real focus. Recording videos, complex development work where nobody interrupts me. Or it's the complete opposite. Real rest. Sauna, lying down with eyes closed, actual recovery.

Not mindless scrolling. Not "finally free, time to zone out." Conscious choice either way.

Going to the pub at the first opportunity isn't rest, it's escape. And that's exactly why he is where he is.

Your defaults reveal your trajectory. What you do automatically when nobody's watching, that's the real you. That's what compounds over years.