So You're Bored, Now What?

Monday, May 21, 2018

photo not mine, all rights to the owner

I'll be the first to admit that I get bored very easily. And while that can be a good thing from time to time, I find that it can also lead me down a very lazy and unmotivated path, which is a BIG no-no for me. I don't know about you, but I hate being bored or having nothing to do--it drives me crazy.

Since I'm not working at the moment, and I'm not actually in college, I've had some time on my hands to figure out what it is that I like to do to pass the time away. And maybe the next time you're feeling bored or have a lot of free time on your hands, you can try to do some of these things too.

1. organize your room + wash your sheets

This always helps me clear my mind, and I often feel much more motivated to do any work that I may have started and then abandoned. I also always end up finding things that spark childhood memories or something from the past, which can either be cute and funny or completely horrifying and cringe worthy. And then when you're done with the day, you can slip under some clean, warm sheets, which is probably the most feel good feeling in the world.

2. experiment with makeup looks

I have to be in the right mood to do this, to be completely honest, because removing makeup can be a complete pain. However, applying makeup is extremely therapeutic for me, so when I do decide to do it, I try to do things slightly different or recreate someone else's makeup look.

3. at home yoga

This is always a fun and challenging one for me to do mostly because my cat, Odessa, likes to lay on the mat while I do poses. So then it just becomes a game of me trying not to step on my cat while doing yoga.

4. pamper yourself

Yes, I believe in treating yourself, especially when it comes to skincare. Go ahead and try a new face mask, go get a facial with a girlfriend, get your nails done...just do something that makes you feel like royalty. Personally, I'm loving body scrubs at the moment. They just make your whole body feel so smooth! Nothing like the feeling of putting on silk pajamas after a body scrub and applying some body butter and then slipping under those clean sheets. It's heavenly.

photo not mine, all rights to the owner

5. listen to a new playlist or make one

Spotify makes it so easy to find new music. Creating new playlists always gets me in a good mood. Who doesn't like finding new music to listen to? I also find working to a new playlist is a lot more exciting because you don't know what song is going to play next and whether or not you're actually going to like and enjoy it.

6. learn a new language

As of right now, your girl is (for the most part) efficient in Italian and Portuguese. Thanks Duolingo! I have a lot of friends who speak another language, so I love making an effort to actually communicate with them in their first language. And too, some of the best fashion magazines aren't written in English like Vogue Italia and Numéro, so it's nice to be able to pick up a copy and understand it.

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
photo not mine, all rights to the owner

7. try new recipes

Now I'm no chef, but I do like to go on Pinterest and find easy vegetarian recipes to make at home. Again, this can either be super or fun and delicious or extremely disastrous and messy.

8. grab something to eat or a coffee with a friend

Go to a hole in the wall food place or a coffee shop you've never been to before with a friend. Nothing like a little adventure with a friend to a new food place.You may find that they have the best vanilla rose lattes and croissants that you never knew existed. I often find that these are the best places to go to and the most Instagram-able too!

photo is mine,
Benugo near Covent Garden in London, England

9. online shop

This has the potential to be incredibly dangerous for you and your bank account, especially if you get weak at the mention of any kind of sale. Honestly, there doesn't even have to be a sale for this to be dangerous, free shipping will do it. Why am I advising you to spend your money on clothes that you most likely will have buyer's remorse about and return? I don't know. However, I still am. And as unwise as this may be, it's fun filling your basket up with clothes you know deep down that you really can't afford. Oh, and the best part is when you calculate and crunch the numbers and move money around to try to work in your favor.Actually, that's when you know you've gone too far. Just browse and create a wish list that you can revisit when you're in the right state of mind.

photo not mine, all rights to the owner
Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

10. create art

If you have a creative mind, start a new project. Whether it's on Adobe Illustrate or a blank canvas, focus your energy on creating something you've never thought you could create. Some of my favorite paintings have come out of sheer boredom.

11. visit a museum, pop up shop, or gallery

Somewhere that allows you to walk aimlessly and admire art or history is always refreshing. You might walk out feeling inspired to actually do something!

Hopefully you find some of these tips helpful! Don't let boredom ruin your summer or free time. Travel, explore, get moving, just do something that doesn't involve staring at a screen all day. I promise you it's a lot more satisfying and productive in the long run. x