My DH had his first-ever no work day in 35 years as a Land Surveyor. Not that he has never taken a day off. This is the first day ever when there just are no jobs to go out to.

He knew it the night before and was feeling understandably weird thinking about it. Should he stick around the office, just in case? Or would that kind of tether be psychologically disabling? (In other words, a downer!)

My work has slowed too, and I have been experimenting with how to disconnect myself from my computer on those days when projects are unlikely to come in, and figuring out just how far away from the office it’s ok to venture.

Here is what we did yesterday, so as to push the economy into the background for a little while:

1. Spouse hopped back under the covers (no, it wasn’t what you’re thinking!) to finish reading the paper and chat with me, something that’s never happened on a weekday before. Nice.

2. Winterized entire house yesterday, leaving the coming weekend free for non chore activities. Productive and $-saving activities that made us feel great.

3. Made a yummy dinner from all fresh foods last night while also prepping for other meals later in the week (roasted chile peppers, baked two whole pie pumpkins, grilled onions and other veggies).

4. Got all laundry done (included folded and put away), so that means I can go for a hike or kayaking or both today.

For us, slowdown equaled one fine day spent together.

If you have already cleaned and reorganized your office and written up a new marketing plan, what to do next if you are finding less and less in the inbox these days?

Well. You could always spend more time networking on Social Media sites. But, if you do this at your office, you’ll be noticing that the office phone isn’t ringing, and that you aren’t getting any biz emails. Better to use your phone and get outside, away from the office. Also, this activity has an addictive aspect, so limit your time, even if it feels like your time is unlimited.

For me, the key is substitution. Filling my extra time with activities I love, that are free or inexpensive, that I wouldn’t ordinarily get to do midweek.

Here are some other ideas on what to do with the some of that unexpected windfall of free time that comes with a work slowdown:

Gave That‘s post: “50 Simple Gifts to Give Yourself.”

Read Mighty Bargain Hunter‘s post on “Making Things Last.”

Virtual Moxie‘s Economy Post tells us “What we should be doing NOW!”

Speaking of this, here’s a related post elsewhere in Loosely Speaking:

Finding Opportunity in Uncertainty