“I can’t be bored… because I’m not boring”
Despite my spreadsheet driven career, I’m a creative at heart so I can spend hours doing things I enjoy, such as: listening to music and arranging playlists for others, taking photos, drawing, painting, writing, coding websites, the list goes on. I have tried and enjoyed so many different things…
In short, in my own company I have found multiple ways to occupy myself and my mind. It starts with the mantra: “I’m not bored, because I’m not boring”. I think firstly, it is very important to adopt this mentality. I fight the urge to nonchalantly utter the words: “I’m bored”. It becomes a habit. A self fulfilling prophecy. Fight it.
Realisation that the times I have been bored have been whilst being surrounded by others. By myself, I always have something to do. I can find something to do.
Below is a list of 5 things I have found to pass my time during this current lockdown, which I have thoroughly enjoyed, and want to share:
1. TV Shows & Films
I guess this one is bait… but really, I have found time to watch TV Shows again! I don’t really watch shows any more, which is crazy because I used to binge so many when I was younger. I still have many shows I started in earlier years to finish, and so many new shows I have overlooked.
I have rewatched films such as Predestination (8/10), Exam (6.5/10), Epic (6/10) and The East (6.5/10). I have gotten into Ozark (8/10), Umbrella Academy (7/10), and Light as a Feather (6.5/10). I started Bojack Horseman a few weeks ago, and need to finish it up… I need to finish the later seasons of Stranger Things…
I am also watching anime. An anime adaptation of manga I used to read called Dorohedoro is actually really good so far.
Lastly, I want to watch Upgrade (2018) and Umbrella Academy Season Two is soon coming out…
2. Yoga
I have started yoga. There is this really cool app called Down Dog which is free until 1st May 2020 (I believe). Definitely check it out. I was amazed at how much my body needed the yoga, and it has really resonated with me. I hope this is a hobby I keep up after the lockdown.
There are all sorts of apps though by the same creators, but the Down Dog one is absolutely amazing. You get to set the difficulty, the type of yoga session, the type of music, the voice of the instructor, which areas you want to focus on, etc. There are SO many options you simply cannot get bored and you want to try them all out.
It is also amazing how much your own body, with no strenuous action can really ache! I am using muscles I don’t think I have ever used and my body is so thankful for it. I feel so much lighter.
3. Cooking Challenges
Since things aren’t as readily available, I have started picking up random items I rarely eat (or haven’t eaten before) and trying to incorporate it into my dishes. First it was suede. I made fritters which turned out lovely!
Here’s some dishes I have tried:
- Onion & Suede Fritters
- Shrimp, Plantain, etc. With baked broccoli and parsnip – It was after this dish I realised I really liked roasted parsnip.
- Chorizo and Tomato Lentils with Poached Eggs
- Black bean & meat stew – feijoada
- Chicken Soup (a lot of chicken soup to be honest) – but I have been adding quinoa
And a lot more…
Tomorrow I am going to be making pork with black beans again but in a more Asian style, with egg noodles. My dad purchased the black beans in error instead of kidney beans – but in quarantine you don’t waste food! All of the food mishaps create fun opportunities to test your cooking skills!
I find two ingredients and I start playing around with things I have seen and ideas. It’s really fun!
4. Writing!
I love writing. Well I don’t like writing my essays, but I love writing abstract things.
I have started blogging again (obviously) and playing with the idea of writing prose again.
Lockdown is like the time all your childhood dreams can be realised. I remember around the age of 9, my only dream was to write.
I wanted to sew words together and create the finest tapestry, beautiful and complex. Or perhaps something more familiar, like a piece of patchwork. Either way, I wanted to write something that transcended time.
I grew up. I stopped writing.
… which leads me onto 5…
5. Do something you loved whilst you were younger
I guess growing up as an only child meant I had to learn how to kill time by myself. I’d play the Sims, play video games, code and design websites, draw… all those miscellaneous things I mentioned in the intro of this. I wasn’t allowed out to play much so I really learnt how to communicate with friends via MSN, etc.
I think the easiest past time is doing those things you enjoyed in that simpler time all over again. If you’re really stuck, learn how to make things you loved.
You like comics? Try drawing!
You liked TV? Try writing a script! Try filming!
You like music? Try learning how to play an instrument!
Heck – I have two acoustic guitars which I never mastered playing! … That might be next on the list…!
Just enjoy and stay safe.
Tiana's Blog 