You know what blows my mind? When someone says . . . I’m bored. My reaction is, whoa, what does that even mean? Listen, I never left my house from when I got home from work last Thursday until when I went to work yesterday and I was not bored for a single second.
First of all, there are chores. As someone who cannot really relax until her chores are done (hello toxic Protestant work ethic) these always come first. And just so you know, exercise is a chore. Also things like meal prep, cleaning the kitchen, little organizing projects, etc. I try to spread them out and balance my days, but I can’t sit myself down on the couch if the dishwasher is calling my name.
With chores out of the way, I can think of so many things to do. I could knit. I could read. I could spend (hours) on Tik Tok. I could watch television (I finally watched Encanto last Friday and LOVED it). I could create something in my art journal or spend some time writing. I could sew. I could play with Fred and George. In better weather I could garden but for today’s purposes I’m going with what I can do right now.
So.many.ways to spend my time.
I wasn’t always this way, though. In my previous life (before Dale) I was someone who spent time chasing after things. Shopping for stuff I didn’t need. Leaving the house just for the sake of . . . leaving the house. Looking for things to fill me up because I was lonely. Maybe even . . . dare I say it . . . bored.
These days, though, I’m content to be at home. I’ve built myself a nest full of things I love to do and I’m happy to spend my time there.
Turns out, I’m pretty good company.
Yes to all of it Carole! Though my Catholic upbringing did not lean heavily in the chore direction there is always some self imposed “guilt” if at least one responsible thing doesn’t get done on a given day. The good news – ONE frees me up to do all the fun things!
I don’t understand it, either. Frankly, I find I don’t have time to do everything I’d like to do! I think people who say they’re bored just haven’t explored enough ways to pass their time yet.
I am nodding on the chore thing… thanks to my nana! There are days that I think being bored would be a nice change of pace… but reality is that I prefer the opposite!
Great post, Carole! I related so much…especially the Protestant work ethic thing! I can’t start cooking the next meal if there’s a dish in the sink or clean ones in the dishwasher. And you are good company ?
Oh no, that ? Is really a smiley face!!
I’ve heard people say something like, if you’re bored, you’re probably boring. While that’s kind of harsh, if you’re bored you might lack a curious mind. I do experience listlessness when I’m unwell or something is worrying me, but I think that’s a little different.
Chores?! Years in the restaurant industry drilled into me, If you have time to lean, you have time to clean! Although I can appear strategically busy as needed. Ha, ha.
“Strategically busy”… I LOVE it! My brother was always that way when there were chores to be done. And, I must say, I may have employed that concept, here or there, when my kids were young and I was completely over one more round of “look at this Mommy!”.
I’m never bored, either. There’s always more I want to do . . . at home. (And I’m losing that toxic Protestant work ethic a little bit more every year. Chores? What chores???) XO
I can’t recall a time when I felt bored, and my kids learned never to say that because I usually told them they could go clean the bathroom. I really hope John finds a hobby he enjoys now that he’s newly retired since his boredom may infringe upon my non-bored reading, knitting, writing, etc. time!
Carole, though I don’t have the Protestant work ethic, and therefore can easily ignore things I should be doing, I’m very rarely bored. Even pre-internet, I could find a way to amuse myself. Reading ALWAYS topped the list. Sewing and needle crafts have been a close second since I first picked up needles and yarn/thread.
Thanks for a timely message, reminding us that we are the boss of our intentions.
Oh yes! I’m right with you and, like Kym, I’m learning to do away with the Protestant work ethic little by little – LOL. I remember years ago (pre internet, etc.) talking with a co-worker and being excited that Fletch was going away for a weekend. I would have an entire weekend to myself to do whatever I wanted. My co-worker’s reaction was: “I would be so bored all by myself.” I just found that so terribly sad.
Rusty used to take the kids to the beach for a weekend, or sometimes even camping overnight, and I loved being “HOME ALONE!” I still get excited when I have the house to myself for a while! NEVER BORED! I always say that I’ll be an excellent retired person!
NEVER BORED! Being bored just does not compute!!
I agree – I love being in my home. I don’t used to feel guilty about staying home but the one positive thing about Covid was teaching me to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. I have begun to slowing go out more but I’m in no rush to get back to the crazy life I had. I enjoy being “bored.”
I feel the exact same way, minus the chores compulsion. For me, chores are more for when I need a break from knitting. Yikes! But thank goodness for a daughter who still lives at homeand who does have the chores compulsion. 🙂
I grew up hearing “if you’re bored you’re boring.”
All the cheers for “engaged solitude” … and yep, I grew up hearing what Allison did!
Bored and lonely are not in my vocabulary!!! I am a real home body, retired, 73 years old and divorced.
I love watching all that Netfix, Amazon Prime and Hulu has to offer. Plus I am a quilter. Finally, I love to read. I don’t have enough hours in my day to do all!! Let alone clean my apartment and do errands. survivor972002@midco.net
Great post Carole! I totally agree with you – I don’t understand how a person can be bored. Knitting, crocheting, cooking, and reading take up a lot of my free time after work. I also wonder though about people that don’t have hobbies. I don’t get it – what do you do? We all have the world literally at our fingertips through technology, there is so much to discover!
My mom used to say “If you’re bored you are boring. Go find something to do.” We did. We created in all sorts of ways and we read and we did CHORES. But, we were rarely bored. All of 2020 friends said they were bored by staying hoe. Not me (although I did have a great walking trail nearby). Of course, we share many of the same interests, books, knitting, writing, art. We are fortunate.