10 Things To Do If You Are Bored

With the dark dreary winter days upon us, it is easy to fall into a rut and get bored.

Here are some ideas to get you out of your rut.

1. Watch bullriding on TV.

No, I am serious. I discovered bullriding while flipping channels during an insomnia attack. Man vs. bull. I don't like animal exploitation, but in this case, the bull usually wins. A recent show had instant replays of the cowboy being bucked, tossed, and gored with the commentator saying, "That's why we watch! For moments like these." Wow. And what about those clowns? When singer Jewel married Ty Murray, I actually knew who he was.

2. Read a book.

Duh. I guess with my being a librarian, that's a no-brainer. But with our busy lifestyles, it is easy to feel we don't have time to read. But pick up a good book and say goodbye to not only boredom, but loneliness as well. My Mother used to say, "If you read, you will never be lonely."

Here are some books recommended by Sno-Isle staff.

Click Here

3. Read a book to someone else.

My mother used to spend Mondays doing her ironing down in our basement. Believe it or not, she really liked ironing, but she was down there at the foot of the stairs with no radio, no TV, no IPod - just ironing and looking out the basement window. Sometimes I would sit at the piano upstairs and sing show tunes for her from my Easy Piano Selections books of songs from South Pacific and Carousel. But more often I would sit on the stairs and read to her. I read Little Women and countless other classics. It is a wonderful memory. You can make some wonderful memories for yourself by reading to someone in a nursing home or reading to your child every night or bringing your little one to our monthly Family Night at the Library "Reading with Rover" program, where young readers can read to loving, laid-back canines. Our next one is January 20th at 7pm.

4. Go for a walk in Seattle.

We live in and near one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.
Seattle has been voted "Most Livable City" countless times.
When boredom hits, explore the wonders of Seattle on foot.

Here are a few good guides:



Nature Walks In and Around Seattle

Urban Walks

Walking Seattle


My idea of heaven is walking around the residential part of Capitol Hill
(16th and 17th streets are favorites), admiring the architecture, picking my favorites, and capping off the day with a nosh at the Volunteer Park Cafe or an eatery in Belltown, such as the new Tilikum Place Cafe.

5. Make a list of what you like about your significant others...

and then give it to them. It will make their day.

6. Write a letter.

Yes, you heard me. I did not say send a text or an email or post on Facebook. I said write a letter. Remember when we used to look forward to the mail and go to the mailbox and how happy we would be if there was a letter for us? I fear the art of correspondence has died as electronic communication has taken over. But I guarantee you this...hand write a letter to someone and you will, not only feel good about yourself, but you will probably get a wonderful response. In 2008, I decided that instead of sending the usual holiday cards highlighting all of the accomplishments of my family (alright, bragging), I decided to write to each recipient and tell him or her what they meant to my life. So often we mean to do something like that and then it is too late. So my New Year's resolution ever since has been to write letters.

7. Go to open houses.

C'mon, admit it. You know you are just dying of curiosity about your neighbor's decorating abilities. This is a chance to check them out, as well as reassuring yourself that your house has to be worth more than theirs.

8. Cook.

When I am bored, I whip out the old cookbooks and cook two or three things I have wanted to try. You not only are occupied for an afternoon, but you have dinner out of the way and leftovers for the week. If you are really ambitious, you could start a progressive dinner group.

9. People watch.

There is nothing cozier than your favorite coffee house, and nothing more engrossing than trying to figure out whether the older man and much younger girl in the corner are dating or if the woman sitting next to you with the green hair and doggie bedroom slippers meant to go out like that. Counting how many people order a nonfat, sugar free latte with no whip is also fun.

10. Volunteer

Whether it's helping out at the Food Bank, visiting a lonely senior living alone in a nursing home or volunteering at the library, there is no better cure for boredom than helping others.

What are your cures for boredom?