When home alone and complaining of boredom, my father used to say to me, “Only boring people are bored.” Given all the innovations and gadgetry that technology affords us, that is truer today than when he said it. Should you find yourself all by your lonesome and wanting some fun and excitement, there is plenty to do that does not necessarily involve high tech gadgets or gizmos. Not only will you have fun, but you may just learn, or create, something new.
Read a book
When Homer Simpson complained to wife Marge that he was bored, she recommended he read a book; Homer famously retorted that he wanted to be less bored. Unfortunately, too many of us associate reading with compulsory activities, such as school and work. The truth is, though, everyone has interests and reading is a fun and educational way to explore these interests. Whether you prefer the handheld version or an e-book, a library membership can be the start of many an adventure in your own living room.
Catch up with a friend
It seems that everybody from time to time has thought of a friend or family member that they haven’t spoken to in a while and thought, “I wonder how so and so is doing, I should really get in touch soon.” Now that you find yourself alone with time on your hands, it would be the ideal time to do just that. Whether you prefer the more intimate contact involved in hearing the other’s voice, or like to text for the emojis, reconnecting with those we care about is fun and satisfying.
Try out a new recipe
If you enjoy cooking and mastering new dishes, but don’t relish the idea of trying a new recipe out on your boss or in-laws, time home alone is ideal for taking that recipe for a trial run. Cooking can be challenging; to get it just right can require precision timing and practice. The benefit to testing a recipe when you’re by yourself is that you can always correct a mistake made during preparation, and start over without embarrassment if the result is disastrous.
Relax and take a nap
It is estimated that millions of Americans are sleep-deprived. Being alone in a quiet house is the perfect time to remedy that. To set the mood, get a pillow and your favorite comfy throw. Then, put on your favorite mellow music to relax. Before you know it, you will be sleeping like a baby.
Watch TV or a Movie
It would be hard to argue against the assertion that everybody likes movies. These days there are a myriad of venues and forums to watch or stream movies. If you are not fortunate enough to have cable or a Netflix subscription, there are plenty of free streaming apps to take advantage of, to name a few: Hulu, Crackle, Vimeo, WolowTube, and Leinster. While it is a passive activity from a physical standpoint, enjoying a movie can provide a great deal of fun and excitement.
Arts and Craft projects
What better time than being home alone is there to break out that sketchpad that you got for Christmas and start a drawing project? Perhaps you have always wanted to paint; now would be the ideal time to pick up a beginners kit at the local craft store and get started.
Get organized
Though getting organized may not seem like all that much fun, it actually can be. There are so many nifty and innovative solutions to solving your organization problems. Many fun ideas are out there, like using a shower caddy to store stationery, or repurposing a plastic magazine rack to store pantry items. So, while getting organized may seem like more work than fun, being organized is very fun!
