Melting time and confined leisure under COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since the outbreak of COVID-19, a growing body of research has examined various aspects of the pandemic. Yet few studies have focused on time and leisure under conditions of melting time, a term used here to describe the slowdown of time resulting from state enforced lockdowns. On the one hand, individuals had greater freedom with regards to time as rigorous schedules were eased. On the other hand, being confined to the home limited one’s freedom to choose how to spend one’s time. Addressing the paradox of this unique situation, the article presents findings from a study that examined how time was spent and experienced under lockdown. An online questionnaire was circulated and was completed by 100 respondents via social networks in April 2020 during the first wave of the virus. The findings of the study indicated that the majority of participants felt they had more free time during the lockdown with media use, reading and sport, being the most popular pastimes. However, most highly valued and missed by participants due to the lockdown, was social interaction. Exploring how individuals use and assess their time thus reveals what matters to them most, particularly during a time of uncertainty and ontological insecurity.