Consumption vs. Creation: Finding Balance in Your Leisure Time

The Two Faces of Free Time

After a long day, sometimes all I want is to collapse on the couch and let Netflix, YouTube, or the endless scroll of Instagram Reels wash over me. This is what I call consumption-based leisure: relaxing by passively taking in content, entertainment, or information. It’s easy, it’s everywhere, and it’s designed to be as frictionless as possible. Content producers are amazingly good at their job.

I do of course do this sometimes, and the next day, I’m rarely thrilled about it.

There’s another kind of leisure that, if I’m being honest, leaves me feeling a lot more satisfied, at least in the long run. I’m talking about creation-based leisure: the time spent making, building, or shaping something, even if it’s just a loaf of bread that looks like a deflated football. Think crafts, gardening, writing, cooking, tinkering, or even doodling in the margins of your notebook. Here, you’re not just a spectator. You’re a participant.

Defining the Terms

• Consumption-Based Leisure: Activities where you’re primarily receiving or absorbing content. Examples: watching TV, scrolling social media, reading news, listening to podcasts (yes, even the “productive” ones).
• Creation-Based Leisure: Activities where you’re actively making or shaping something. Examples: painting, woodworking, writing, cooking, gardening, playing music, etc.

Why the Distinction Matters

On the surface, both types of leisure are “free time.” But the way they make us feel can be wildly different, both in the moment and after.

Consumption is easy. It’s engineered to be. The next episode auto-plays, the next video is algorithmically chosen, and before you know it, you’ve lost an hour (or three). There’s nothing wrong with this. Sometimes your brain just needs a break. But too much consumption can leave you feeling oddly empty, like eating a bag of chips for dinner.

Creation, on the other hand, takes effort. It’s often messier, slower, and sometimes frustrating. Let’s be real about that. But it’s also where the magic happens. When you make something, you’re not just passing time; you’re building skills, expressing yourself, and (occasionally) surprising yourself with what you can do. There’s a reason why finishing a puzzle or baking a cake feels so much more satisfying than finishing a season of reality TV.

The Science Bit

Psychologists have found that active leisure (the kind where you’re engaged, learning, or creating) tends to boost mood, self-esteem, and even long-term happiness. Veblen’s “Theory of the Leisure Class” argued that much of our consumption is about status and passive display, but modern research suggests that doing trumps watching when it comes to fulfillment.

And let’s not forget: creation-based leisure can be social, too. Cooking dinner with friends, jamming in a garage band, or even collaborating on a weird group art project. These are the moments that stick.

Why We Default to Consumption

If creation is so great, why do we so often default to consumption? Simple: it’s easier. It’s what our devices, apps, and even our couches are designed for. Plus, after a tough day, the idea of “making” anything can feel like work.

But here’s the thing: the barrier to entry is usually lower than we think. You don’t have to write a novel or knit a sweater. Doodling, journaling, or even rearranging your bookshelf counts. The point is to do something, not just watch.

A Proposal: Tilt Toward Creation

I’m not here to shame anyone for binge-watching a show (I’ve done it, plenty, and I’ll do it again). But maybe we can nudge ourselves a little more toward creation. Next time you have a free hour, try making something. Write a story, bake cookies, plant a seed, or fix that thing that’s been broken for months.

You might be surprised at how much better you feel, not just in the moment, but after. And who knows? You might even end up with a deflated loaf of bread to show for it.