Time - How do you fit 40k into your life?

Time

The thing with Warhammer 40k is that it takes up a huge amount of time.

 

It takes time to hobby:

1.       Getting the models, paints and equipment out

2.       Painting models

3.       Building models

4.       Cutting models off the sprue

5.       Cleaning the models up (mould lines etc.)

6.       Travelling to and from shops to buy stuff

7.       Buying stuff

8.       Putting stuff away again after hobby time.

 

It takes time to play:

1.       Building lists

2.       Travelling to and from a playing venue if not at home

3.       Setting up a play area

4.       Getting models out

5.       Playing the actual game

6.       Taking down the play area

7.       Putting models away again

 

It takes time to read, keep up to date and interact about 40k

1.       Reading blogs

2.       Reading books

3.       Listening to podcasts

4.       Watching Youtube vids

5.       Social media interactions

6.       Chatting with friends on the phone, whatsapp etc.

7.       Playing 40k games – Space Marine, Space Hulk etc.

 

When I look back at this list, and I’m sure I have missed loads of things, I really do wonder how on earth anyone has the time to get involved with the game or any of its forms.

My current situation

 

My life at the moment is pretty hectic. I am married with my wife and I both working as full time teachers in special schools. We have 2 children under 11, 1 dog and 2 Guinea pigs. I am also a Beaver scout leader and so my standard week looks something like this:

Monday

School. Evening is free but generally do schoolwork as it’s the start of the week.

 

Tuesday

School followed straight away by Beavers. No free time in the evening.

 

Wednesday

School. Daughter activities but 1 hour free in the evening.

 

Thursday

School. Daughter activities. Home about 9.15pm ready for tea!

 

Friday

School. Daughter activities.

 

Saturday

Family Day

 

Sunday

Church. Family Day, schoolwork in evening.

 

As a dad I am sure I am not alone in this kind of routine and unfortunately it leaves very little time to spend on myself. As many people do I also have many interests. I play guitar, like to drink beer, play 40k, rock climb, train in the gym and play different sports. So what can we do to be able to squeeze some time in for Warhammer?

 

Making Time

 

1.       Focus on the bigger picture

The first thing that I find I need to do is realise that I am very lucky. I have a beautiful wife and 2 beautiful daughters, I live in my own house (well the bank owns most of it!) and my situation, living in England, is very fortunate – we are safe and living in a lawful democracy. I must never forget that these are the most important things in my life even if I really want to paint that model or play that game. In reality it is only Warhammer – even if I really love it I could do without it – Just!

2.       Be organised

I find that I need to keep a diary and plan ahead when I am going to do things. This is already in place as I have a school diary that I use every day. Using this I plot my days and then I can put my hobbies into place around the events I can’t change – daughter activities, work etc.
There are some weeks where I just can’t have anything to do with 40k. This week for instance has been impossible as it is assessment report time at school and I have had meetings for scouts in the evenings. Other weeks however give me loads of opportunities when my wife will go out to see her friends or takes the girls to their activities.

3.       Do little and often

One of the most successful ways that I make progress with hobby time in 40k is to plan 20-30min sessions into my week. Even if we are busy it is always possible to find a half hour here and there. Before I do this I make sure that I know exactly what I’m going to be doing (base colours of red and black or washes for example). This reduces the time spent setting up as I can get things ready prior to my 30mins so I can start painting straight away.

4.       Use your dead time

Dead time is time spent commuting, breaks at work or waiting for children to finish their activities. Commuting is a great time for podcasts while driving. A break at work for Twitter, Facebook etc. Write a blog post while waiting for children during their activities.

5.       Plan ahead

For longer activities such as games it is important to plan ahead. Look at your diary at least a month ahead and pick a date to play. Then make sure to tell your better half and okay it there and then. Believe me it is much better than springing it on your partner last minute! Once it is agreed he or she can plan to do things around your time playing such as meeting friends or another activity. Unfortunately sometimes things do go wrong last minute such as an argument or something urgent comes up which means the game gets cancelled (I have let the other dads down enough times!) but at the end of the day refer back to point 1 and remember what’s important. Another game can always be booked in also giving you more leverage as it has been cancelled once already.

What a week may look like

 

My week planned ahead may look something like this:

 

Monday

Before school while the girls practice piano I practice the guitar. School. Listen to 40k podcast on way home. Schoolwork to set me up for the rest of the  week. Read Black Library book in bed.

 

Tuesday

Before school while the girls practice piano I practice the guitar. School followed straight away by Beavers. Listen to 40k podcast on way home. Read Black Library book in bed.

 

Wednesday

Before school while the girls practice piano I practice the guitar. School. Listen to 40k podcast on way home. Wife takes daughters to activities and goes to gym. Hobby time 1 hour. Read Black Library book in bed.

 

Thursday

School. Listen to 40k podcast on way home. Take daughters to activities. Home about 9.15pm ready for tea! Read Black Library book in bed.

 

Friday

School. Listen to 40k podcast on way home. Take Daughters to activities. Read Black Library book in bed.

 

Saturday

Family Day. Read Black Library book in bed.

 

Sunday

Family Day, schoolwork in evening. Read Black Library book in bed.

 

As you can see with my week, painting time is only an hour, however my wife may go and see her friends one night or may go to the gym a couple of nights in the week when my girls have gone to bed. Typically I get another two half hour slots for hobby time during the week. This doesn't sound a lot but if you are prepared these half hours add up and make you focus which is great for getting projects finished.

 

Deadlines

One final aspect of fitting in some hobby is to give yourself an ultimatum or a deadline. I have two such deadlines at the moment.

1.       I am not allowed to buy any more models until I have no more to paint.

-          This hurts. A lot! But I am getting through my Flesh Tearers and Astra Militarum because of it. I have about 1000 points of AM and about 1500 of Flesh Tearers to go…

2.       The four dads have started the Spartan challenge within which I entered my Stormraven. It needed painting but I have been putting it off as I don't really like the model so it is a great way to push myself to get it done.

 

I hope that you have enjoyed reading about the difficulties of fitting 40k in and I would love to hear how you do it, whether you are similar to me or of any better ways to get more 40k into my life.

 

All the best,

 

James