I’m bored. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
This pandemic has us stuck at home, when many of us are used to being out and about. Whether it was Bible Study or errands, I could usually find a way to be out of the house most days. In fact, I treasured the days when I didn’t have to go anywhere, and could stay in my pjs until noon!
But I’m tired of it. I want to leave my house. The daily walk to the mailbox (3 blocks away) isn’t what I mean. I want to be where people are.
I’m trying to keep busy here at home, but find myself playing games on my phone to pass the time. I should be reading, or working on my book. I was knitting until I ran out of yarn for my blanket project; it will help, I’m sure, when my order arrives.
I’m hoping that this seclusion doesn’t spark a depressive episode. So far, I’m okay. I’m not terribly anxious, but occasionally sad. But I’m concerned about all of this time on my hands. And where do my thoughts go? I don’t want to spiral into negative thinking – that’s the gateway to depression for me. I keep checking my WRAP to make sure I’m staying mentally well. So far, so good.
I’ve used Zoom and FaceTime on a few occasions. The connection was bad on the day I chatted with my kids, so we ended up with just audio. And the point was to see their faces, so that was disappointing. We’ll try it again – maybe tonight – to play a game. That worked several weeks ago, and was lots of fun. That would boost my spirits, I’m sure.
I cried yesterday when I realized that my son lives 20 minutes away, and I didn’t get to see him for my birthday, nor will I for Easter. I had – unbeknownst to me – gotten my hopes up that he and his girlfriend would come over this weekend. We could social distance around the kitchen table. But he didn’t think it was wise – I’m sure he’s right – and so I cried. And I cried again today.
And crying is okay. In fact, everything I’m feeling is okay. This is uncharted territory for almost all of us, and change brings strong emotions. So I’ll let myself cry when I need to. And I’ll keep trying FaceTime to see my family “in person.”
Sunny with a Chance of Clouds 
So sorry that you are bored – and sad!
I am not bored. I wish I was. I am driving myself crazy with things, what things I don’t know. Slight hypomania? Anyway I have plenty to do and not enough time to to it, or to do the things I’d LIKE to do.
I’ve never really been one to get bored anyway.
Sit on the couch with a hot cup of tea or coffee and a pad of paper. Make a LONG list of things you’ve always thought about doing. Stuff that doesn’t have to make sense or be practical, just things that have occurred to you over the years. LONG LONG LONG enough list to keep you busy for weeks. Spend half an hour each day (or more if the topic is interesting) exploring or doing each of the activities. Check them off the list. Maybe start a page for each activity listing what you did to explore it. Try different ways: checking online, maybe a how-to video, call a a friend who does the activity or is familiar with it, make a list of supplies you would need to get to do the activity, call a professional who does it as if you are a newspaper reporter, etc) Or maybe it’s a trip you want to go on. Study it – geological, sociological, historical, archeological (how do you spell that anyway!?!?), hysterical (oh. Wait. That’s me).
Connect with people other ways – phone, computer, letters, making greeting cards, recording music or your voice speaking to them.
Start that book you were thinking of writing (if you had been). Get an old 3 ring notebook, spiral is fine too, Write chapter headings one on each page, a foreword page, a table of contents page (or whatever), a dedication page … I like to do this by hand and be messy. It makes me feel accomplished. You can start a chapter and write only 3 words. Or maybe a chapter will fly out of your fingers and run for 3 pages.. Maybe you are more about art, you’d rather draw than write; you could do a children’s book instead. Same way – old notebook, rough sketch on each page, foreword, dedication, etc etc…
Well, just random thoughts.Things I wish I had time to do
I also picture a picnic with your hubby and you on a blanket in the middle of the living room with bird song playing from the speakers.
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All good ideas. Thanks!
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