10 Tips to combat boredom and make use of TIME
Posted 3rd March 2008 at 01:18 PM by MeenLoch
Updated 11th April 2008 at 03:06 PM by MeenLoch (Adding information)
Updated 11th April 2008 at 03:06 PM by MeenLoch (Adding information)
In our lives often, we are forced to confront situation when we have lot of time and not much to do. For women marriage, pregnancy,place shift, career and many social reasons create unexpected breaks. So how can one make the best use of free time.
( On H4 ? here are some tips. )
On other hand women in opposite end of spectrum cannot breath. These women are running around, working, taking care of family and kids sometimes with little or no support from fellow beings.
Most of time it's the same woman switching between the two extremes of too much time and too little time.
So how does one make best use of Break - time ?
1. Learn an art. Creative expression of self helps fighting not just boredom but depression too. You can draw, paint, sew, knit, sing, learn calligraphy, photography, story writing, foreign language or graphology. Cooking is a popular pastime too.
2. Learn a skill that may be useful in future. You may want to pick personal finance concepts, some software tools ( Microsoft office) , soft skills ( Articulation, Assertiveness, Confidence building books), health and diet facts, work on your spiritual and mental side. Resources are abundant. Motivation and Willingness is all that one needs.
3. Register for courses in your area. Community colleges are there in US. Several Diploma courses may be available. Register for online courses. Browse around and you will get abundant stuff on the net. Computer courses are always there.
4. Once you are bored going to same gym, switch to other work outs like pilates or swimming or aerobics or Salsa.
Once you are bored cooking the same food, washing same vessels, try new cuisines like Italian or Mexican at home.
Once you are bored with same activity SWITCH. Keep yourself occupied.
5. Newness is fun anytime. Change hairstyle, try something undone ( and safe of course), pedicure, change the look of the house, re arrange furniture. Get unconventional ! Go out have fun - Out in open on green grass with sky above.
6. Do see what you do everyday, maybe have an activity log. This will ensure that you are being productive and active and above everything else, you will not regret, that you wasted so much time in past. Have a plan for the day too. Track too much time wastage.
7. Don't spend too much time thinking. Out of experience I can assure you, you will end up wasting it. Take small risks and you will only learn if you went wrong.
8. Watch good shows on TV. It's not an idiot box all the time. Some interesting shows and channels increase your IQ or simply make you laugh.
9. Make an effort to be informed. It's not good to be in a circle of friends and staying quiet because you do not have much to contribute. Also you can work on building an excellent, educated vocabulary.
10. Work on a better you.
Add your tips ladies.
We all have different interests. Unfortunately many of us do not know what we are born for or what we like the most. Do a self-discovery. Browse around the net, library and talk to people to find what you like the most. Invest a week to learn about the skill which is close to what you like. You will be in for surprises. Sometimes it's okay to be a jack of all and master of none
.
( On H4 ? here are some tips. )
On other hand women in opposite end of spectrum cannot breath. These women are running around, working, taking care of family and kids sometimes with little or no support from fellow beings.
Most of time it's the same woman switching between the two extremes of too much time and too little time.
So how does one make best use of Break - time ?
1. Learn an art. Creative expression of self helps fighting not just boredom but depression too. You can draw, paint, sew, knit, sing, learn calligraphy, photography, story writing, foreign language or graphology. Cooking is a popular pastime too.
2. Learn a skill that may be useful in future. You may want to pick personal finance concepts, some software tools ( Microsoft office) , soft skills ( Articulation, Assertiveness, Confidence building books), health and diet facts, work on your spiritual and mental side. Resources are abundant. Motivation and Willingness is all that one needs.
3. Register for courses in your area. Community colleges are there in US. Several Diploma courses may be available. Register for online courses. Browse around and you will get abundant stuff on the net. Computer courses are always there.
4. Once you are bored going to same gym, switch to other work outs like pilates or swimming or aerobics or Salsa.
Once you are bored cooking the same food, washing same vessels, try new cuisines like Italian or Mexican at home.
Once you are bored with same activity SWITCH. Keep yourself occupied.
5. Newness is fun anytime. Change hairstyle, try something undone ( and safe of course), pedicure, change the look of the house, re arrange furniture. Get unconventional ! Go out have fun - Out in open on green grass with sky above.
6. Do see what you do everyday, maybe have an activity log. This will ensure that you are being productive and active and above everything else, you will not regret, that you wasted so much time in past. Have a plan for the day too. Track too much time wastage.
7. Don't spend too much time thinking. Out of experience I can assure you, you will end up wasting it. Take small risks and you will only learn if you went wrong.
8. Watch good shows on TV. It's not an idiot box all the time. Some interesting shows and channels increase your IQ or simply make you laugh.
9. Make an effort to be informed. It's not good to be in a circle of friends and staying quiet because you do not have much to contribute. Also you can work on building an excellent, educated vocabulary.
10. Work on a better you.
Add your tips ladies.
We all have different interests. Unfortunately many of us do not know what we are born for or what we like the most. Do a self-discovery. Browse around the net, library and talk to people to find what you like the most. Invest a week to learn about the skill which is close to what you like. You will be in for surprises. Sometimes it's okay to be a jack of all and master of none
.
Total Comments 21
Comments
 |  Dear MeenLoch, That was a good post about boredo m and how to take care. In fact i think i keep doing all this....new hairstyles, new cooking recipes, books, and of course when i was in india all kinds of computer courses. Even here i went for a german course, being the oldest in the group, did not stop me! I saw Pirivom ....i did think Sneha could have done so many things to keep herself from going mental! Good analysis ....and very good suggestions to stop oneself from getting bored or depression. |
Posted 3rd March 2008 at 03:00 PM by sudhavnarasimhan  |
| |  German ? Sounds cool. Any online resources to learn foreign language Ms. Sudha ? Oldest in group ? - A new post is coming from me in it's praise..  |
| Posted 3rd March 2008 at 03:14 PM by MeenLoch |
| | Nice ideas Meenloch. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Another good thing, also in terms of providing good exposure and expanding your network is to get involved in voluntary work/community service. <o:p></o:p> Blood drives (Red cross, CURE foundation etc) are always in need of volunteers. Then there are these marathons for cause organizers who are in need of volunteers too. I think it is a great way of doing some good work and also getting to know new things and new people. <o:p></o:p> If you one likes to write, they could contact local Indian news papers/magazines and start contributing there. SS |
| Posted 3rd March 2008 at 05:24 PM by soaringspirit |
| |  Hi MeenLoch, With all these ideas of urs where is the time for boredom. Except for the foreign language department I can see my self doing all of the things u mentioned..some how can't learn foreign languages much except for a couple of phrases and words. |
| Posted 3rd March 2008 at 08:14 PM by madhu11 |
| |  vidya, Well good tips. But to be frank, I am never bored. touchwood, that is one thing i have never faced. Pirivom sandippom, i have got the cd, but did not get the time to sit and watch the movie...a nd btw it is not cheran's direction, he has only acted in the movie... The main cause of boredom stems from the mind. keeping your mind active is the best solution. and the next -ve is self pity...why me. life is too small to sit and crib for lost causes...move forward....be practical, instead becoming emotional. Learning a new art, Reading, Discussing, Writing, Cooking anything that fancies you.. the moment you feel it going stale switch to something else, and then get back...to it again if you feel passionate about it..... |
| Posted 3rd March 2008 at 11:51 PM by shanvy |
| | One more thing to learn would be driving. It is near to impossible to live in the US and not know how to drive. |
| Posted 4th March 2008 at 12:03 PM by nivedi |
| |  Meens Very nice ideas and very well written too..can keep this for reference..One more thing I have in common with Shanthi is I too have never been bored in my life.. |
| Posted 4th March 2008 at 12:12 PM by anandchitra |
| | Madhu11 - Thanks SS - Good addition to the list. As nivedi says, driving brings in a whole lot of new activities to do. |
| Posted 4th March 2008 at 12:17 PM by MeenLoch |
| | Apne IL ki Shan, ( Hope you got the other meaning) Thanks for the correction abotu cheran s movie. Found your words inspiring. Bookmarking them in my mind. _ ve thoughts, I become their vicitm very soon  .Switching is a great way to fight boredom. Instead of leaving it entirely one can SWITCH. AC - Good you are occupied. End of the day we should be satisfied with what we did. If we are pleased ourselves, no worries at all. |
| Posted 4th March 2008 at 12:20 PM by MeenLoch |
| | Hi Meenloch, i am sure there are free online german courses, at least for beginners....if i find a link will post the same. I live here, so get to do those courses...though they are expensive. But sad thing is that without this language i cant even think of volunteeing . There are no courses available in english, so if i want to join be it aerobics or driving classes, i ahve to know the language! So the necessity made me get into the course after nearly 8 years, that too since i wanted to keep myself not bored in winter...ha ha...... |
| Posted 5th March 2008 at 01:24 PM by sudhavnarasimhan |
| |  Those were very good, Meenloch. There is a way out for everything. Being monotonous pushes everybody into boredom. Learning or doing something new is one good technique which makes the life very cheerful. The basic characteristic of kids is being in something new. I follow that. So, never feel bored. |
| Posted 17th March 2008 at 05:12 PM by Oviya Updated 19th March 2008 at 07:51 AM by MeenLoch |
| | VEry good Oviya. My husband is an inspiration for me. He plays keyboard, gets bored, then starts painting. When he gets bored he starts cooking big time. .Kids have a message we can learn. Change is needed in our monotonous lives |
| Posted 17th March 2008 at 06:51 PM by MeenLoch |
| | hi MeenLoch those 10 ideas r very good . though i read it and i think i will do all these to kill my time i am some times very much depressed.;now we both (my husband )r here and 2 boys grown up r not in place. so feel very much lonely .thanks for the tips and i will try it out to kill my boredom |
| Posted 3rd April 2008 at 12:01 PM by sudhasrk |
| | Sudha mam, My parents are in same state like you, with my brother and me being away from her. I tell them, it's time you start thinking about yourselves, your likes, dislikes, choices, interests... Enjoy your life mam |
| Posted 3rd April 2008 at 01:32 PM by MeenLoch |
| |  Hi Meenloch, Libraries have lots of free language programs. It might be under the teens section. Logging online , one can check the language programs. I did the conversational spanish . At the end of 12 weeks, it gave me a test and certificate that I can print. |
Posted 3rd April 2008 at 11:51 PM by sundarusha  |
| |  Dear Meenaloch Very good writing. Yes I am doing what you said. In this way this IL helps me much .I felt very renewated when i showcased my craft interests and my affection with collection of pillayars and all. I learned multimedia course after I retired from service. Not for making it use. Just I got interest and I learned. I am visiting nearby orphange and doing the helpupto my limit. Learning Narayaneeyam and bajan songs, going to Thirumala for doing service. So i am now seeing a new world. No question of left alone and bordom. Viji |
| Posted 6th April 2008 at 06:25 AM by vijikrishnan |
| | Quite an inspiration you are, Viji mam. You have got a lot of things on palette. Where is the time for you to feel bored ? Maybe you can have a separate blog space and share the snaps of your collections. Would love to see them. |
| Posted 11th April 2008 at 03:00 PM by MeenLoch |
| | Recently I had been to Vellore to visit Golden Temple along with my hubby ,son and Daughter-in -law.We returned to Katpadi station for our trip back to Chennai around 2.45PM. We had around three hours wait at the station. We felt we ould have brought our scabble board to pass the time. While my son and hubby happily dozed off most of the time sitting , me and my DIL felt jealous of them that we could not do it and spent most of the time complaining about the heat ,crowd and the unhealthy and uncivilised behaviour of the people at large. Men do seem to have a knack of sleeping at odd hours and at odd places and at odd position.Being feminine does have its disadvantages..How does one get rid of boredom in situations like above? |
| Posted 14th April 2008 at 04:05 AM by lakshmi1945 |
| | Idea 1 : Ms.Lakshmi, do you read ? Magazines are there, Novels and gems are there in all a languages. When I have to wait in grocery store line here in US, me and my husband pick some magazine on rack. We are there in counter soon. Also during railway tickets wait back in India, I would carry a book. Idea 2 : I love watching people. Colors of their dresses, their features. I don';t stare but like simply sitting and watching people .Idea 3 : My mother sometimes used to carry her sweater knitting kit. She used to knit talking to others. Other art kits are there too. Long journey is best place to carry such things. Idea 4 : Carry a notepad and a pen. Write short stories or draw like a child would. We lose the child in us as we grow old. Who cares how it comes out. How about drawing kolams ? If you have cell phone and limited charges or affordable charges, you can call friends who you haven't talked to for a long time. PS - Do you like trains ? In stations I love watching trains and engines. It has been hot for you. I know it's annoying to do certain things when it's hot. Buy a cucumber/ watermelon ad relish it Hope the tips help. I ll add more to them Good Luck Ms. Lakshmi Visit my blog area for more such posts. |
| Posted 14th April 2008 at 09:14 AM by MeenLoch Updated 14th April 2008 at 09:24 AM by MeenLoch |
| | Hey! This was a great thread! Bored? Whats that? I have lived here in US for the first three years without a job as I did not have work permit.....I did not drive as yet..so? I found a library close to my place, found a bus that took me there,spent so much time reading and enrolled as a Volunteer.I taught English for the literacy volunteers of America, Went to an Art school at a community college, became a member of an Art club,all this without a car!So later when I got my Driving Licence and a car...I was already into so many things...I got more busy!! In the bargain I made many friends, went out with them, had them over for Indian Lunches oh! I was so busy!! I never missed watching the HGTV channel and my Favorite Everybody Loves Raymond , Golden Girls , Friaser, Mad About You , Travel Channel and ofcourse History and Discovery and national geographic and all my "how to look ten years younger" and "what Not to wear" stuff!!!! hey! Where is the time to get bored? I am very house proud..so keeping a clean house , decorating and trying new recipes was always there.....mind you I am a new Empty nester!! Train your mind! There is so so much to do and learn!! MeenLoch I love reading your comments! Vasanti |
| Posted 10th July 2008 at 01:25 PM by vasantirao |
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