An increasing population of people is staying at home. However, being confined to one’s home can lead to boredom. Boredom means that we are not actively involved with the universe. It urges us to abandon what we’re doing and do it differently – or to change our minds.
But, we know that when people are bored, they don’t necessarily make the right decisions. So, how can you hold boredom at bay if you’re trapped at home, dutifully exercising your social distancing?
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Complete your to-do list.
You know you have one — the mental list of little tasks that you want to complete someday. Today, though, is the day. Call Aunt Martha, get the comforter washed, and check the oil in your vehicle and your bicycle tires’ air.
Organize the garage.
Okay, we know this is more than a one-day job, but imagine how amazing you’ll feel when you finished this task. Using plastic tubs to hold your objects, and clearly label each tub or package for quick identification. Then you’ll know exactly where to look the next time you need to pull out holiday decorations or old school yearbooks.
Take a power nap.
If you already take a lot of naps, disregard this advice. It’s time to do something different. Otherwise, be free to sleep for a few minutes. Every day, the planet would be a much happier place if we all took a mid-afternoon nap and snack.
Cook a gourmet dish.
No, we’re not referring to a new kind of Hamburger Helper. Find a recipe that takes some effort, ideally one that is authentically outside of your wheelhouse and might be considered “craft” with the right garnish. Experiment with your taste buds. You may like it.
Volunteer for a cause.
In the 1980s, before the Internet, mobile phones, and emails, I had the honor of collaborating for a great non-profit organization dedicated to battling pound seizure. We circulated leaflets, marched to City Hall. It was liberating. If you’re bored, you may need to find something you’re excited about, like pets and cancer.
Make an escape room.
An escape room can be loads of fun. Making an escape room at home is among the best ways to spend time with the whole family. If you feel like you’re in a rut, then a complete escape room experience helps eliminate your boredom. Solve clues, hints, and puzzles together. Start planning and creating your escape room today!
Enroll in online courses.
Return to school or experiment with one of the several online or self-study alternatives. Many of them are also free, so there’s no need not to widen your horizons.
Decorate your room.
Instead of neutrals, choose blues and greens with splashes of purple, or go bold with black, white, and red. If you’re feeling incredibly aggressive, try some of Remodelaholic’s cool painting ideas.
Replace your shelf paper.
Shelf paper is one of the items that no one considers when they open the cabinet door to see the shabby remains of what remained ten years before. So, get rid of the old and replace it with something new. It’s relatively inexpensive, and it will undoubtedly divert your attention away from boredom.
Organize your wardrobe.
Maybe you used to clean your room by shoving everything that didn’t have a specified “location” into the closet or under the bunk. And, unfortunately, not much has improved over the years. Your wardrobe serves as a catch-all for a multitude of items, including linens, child-related mementos, your cheerleading megaphone, and my Barbie range. There are clothes and shoes included. On the plus side, cleaning it out almost always results in the discovery of items you had forgotten about, so if your closet resembles mine, you might find a few forgotten secrets as well!
Sort through all your drawers.
Speaking of catch-alls, we’ve all got at least one drawer in the house that has no reason other than to hold all the random “things” we don’t know what to do. You don’t have to eliminate the junk drawer, but sorting it will help you locate the thumbtacks and nail file the next time you need them.
Rearrange the furniture.
Want to change the look of your home but can’t bear the price right now? Change it up. Move your sofa over there and your recliner over here, and there you have it! It’s like a whole different room.
Check on your friends.
If you have all of your old friends on Facebook, but we hardly ever communicate beyond the occasional friendly “Like.” And it’s a pity. Then, don’t be “those guys.” Attempt to meet with old friends and see how you can rekindle the relationship. Worst case scenario, you’ll learn you don’t have much in common. Still, who can say? You might meet someone new who can help you get rid of your boredom.
Louie is the father behind the travel blog Browseeverywhere.com. He has a background in photography, E-commerce, and writing product reviews online at ConsumerReviews24. Traveling full time with his family was his ultimate past-time. If he’s not typing on his laptop, you can probably find him watching movies.
