A Look at Atelic Activities and Why They’re Important

You’ve probably heard the popular phrase “time is money.” Echoing a similar sentiment, American writer Dale Carnegie once wrote, “If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

In modern society, being busy is often viewed as a virtue, so much so that it can feel as though we never have enough time to sit back and just enjoy life. We’re constantly craving more time to either accomplish our goals or do the things we love.

However, I believe we can reclaim time by pursuing activities that are both timeless and have no clear objective or end goal. These atelic activities, as they’re known, were considered integral components of a meaningful life by Aristotle and the Stoic philosophers — and I think they should be prioritized by more people in modern society.

What Are Atelic Activities?

Examples of atelic activities include going for a walk, relaxing on the beach, spending time with loved ones, reading for pleasure, or engaging in any other activities in which you have no goal. This might mean leisurely playing a video game with no real desire to complete the game or playing a sport just for fun instead of for a specific purpose (e.g., to beat a record). The underlying connection of all atelic activities is that they’re done for their own sake. The activity itself is a reward because it’s done for personal enjoyment.

Telic activities, in contrast, are those that are outcome-driven. They are essential to everyday living but do not necessarily give meaning to life. For instance, going to work can be considered a telic activity because it’s a way to earn money, which is then used to purchase necessary goods and services. Other examples of telic activities include exercising and studying.

Connection to Aristotle and the Stoics

Aristotle, along with the Stoics, believed both atelic and telic activities were necessary to make one’s life meaningful. The Stoics emphasized living a virtuous life and considered the idea of virtue itself to be an atelic activity. Stoics, like Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Seneca the Younger, practiced it not to look good for others or to improve their reputation but for the intrinsic reward of doing good. Being virtuous, then, gives life meaning until death, whereas all telic activities eventually hit an expiration date.

The Paradox of Telic Activities

There’s a dissatisfaction paradox associated with telic activities. While these activities are necessary for personal development or to achieve specific goals, they’re also finite and can lead to frustration and unhappiness. For example, if you achieved your goal of getting a promotion at work, the pleasure from that will eventually subside and you’ll have to set a new goal. Conversely, if you were passed for a promotion, you’ll be unhappy.

This paradox is evident in professional athletes who spend much of their time training and striving to achieve an ultimate goal, such as winning the Super Bowl or the Masters golf tournament. They’ll dedicate plenty of time and effort toward that goal and, along the way, ignore otherwise meaningful atelic activities.

Atelic Activities and Midlife Crisis

The importance of atelic activities, for some people, becomes clear in their 30s and 40s. Early in life, there are many goals we can easily achieve, whether it’s passing a test, graduating from school, getting a job, or buying a car. Once we’ve achieved these relatively easy goals, the more defined career-related goals seem more difficult and ambitious and, even if achieved, may not provide the same level of satisfaction.

Among other ideas, MIT philosophy professor Kieran Setiya, in his book Midlife: A Philosophical Guide (2017), concluded that atelic activities can help make us feel fulfilled. He also believes they are central to avoiding the feeling as though you’re experiencing a midlife crisis.

“What really matters is that some important things in your life, things you regard as sources of meaning, are atelic,” Setiya notes. “Reading, or walking, or thinking about philosophy, or parenting, or spending time with your friends or family are activities that don’t have an endpoint built in. There isn’t a sense that in doing it you’re exhausting it, as if you could complete the project of hanging out with your friends.”

Why It’s Important to Engage in Atelic Activities

Atelic activities are important for mental health and can help us relax and alleviate stress. Many people believe they have to be as productive as possible, even during downtime, but this type of thinking can be overwhelming and contribute to poor mental health. We can reclaim leisure and better connect with our feelings and emotions by participating in fulfilling activities with no desired result.

Moreover, atelic activities add balance to our lives. Even the most ambitious people should take time to engage in these activities. Dedicating too much time to goal-oriented pursuits can lead to burnout and contribute to a life devoid of joy.