When boredom strikes

By Klaus Döring

Surely, there can never be an instant cure for boredom unless you make an effort to beat it. Boredom strikes at no definite time at all. Even if you think that sitting and watching could be relaxing, a few minutes later you’ll start to think of other things to do. Beating boredom does not need to be too complicated. There are actually ways you can deal with it with or without spending too much. It’s just a matter of how it will make you feel satisfied enough to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling.

1. Spend time cleaning

Too bored that you don’t know what to do at all? Cleaning can be a good start in that case. Whether you clean or reinvent your room, organizing some stuff can be one of the best ways to kill time.

2. Reading books

Time flies very fast when you read. This is something that I do when I get tired of my usual routine. This is best when you are reading an interesting book because you would love to stick with it and finish it in no time.

3. Marathon movies

Some may think that doing a movie marathon is too boring, but still, it can be one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to kill time. You watch movies that you like or missed for quite some time and stop when you feel that you’ve had enough. It’s simple, and you have nothing to worry about since you can do it at home.

4. Doodle away your boredom

If you possess that creative side, and even if you don’t, doodling can be the best way to release some stress. This is especially true when you are at work or at home and are tired of doing the usual stuff. I have to admit that I want to try doodling, but I’m afraid to do so. I am always amazed whenever I see the doodles done by my friend out of boredom. I have to say that I am a frustrated artist, but still I want to give it a try.

5. Work out for a few minutes

One of the effective and healthy ways to beat the weariness that anyone can feel is working out. It does not need to be too complicated, as it can be done even for a few minutes until you can say that you are fine.

6. Quick getaway

The best getaway can be more fun if you do it without making plans beforehand. You can escape for a moment when you feel like you need it the most. With or without company. The important thing is that you go home feeling content.

7. Be resourceful through baking/cooking

These are two of the simple things that can be done at home and will surely make you satisfied. It might look difficult for some who haven’t tried it, but believe me, you will surely enjoy it.

8. Eat and eat and eat

There is no room for a diet when you are too bored. Most of the time, dealing with food can have that exceptional and unique way of making you feel better at all times.

9. Take a nap

Probably the easiest and simplest thing you can do is just sleep it off. And when you’re still bored after a 5-hour nap, then you can try the other things on this list.

Tick tock, tick tock, time seems so slow when we are doing nothing or even waiting for someone or something. Looking back and forth at your clock or watch, one minute feels like forever, and it feels like time is not running, which really makes us frustrated. This is especially true when you have finished a movie or series or are waiting for a new series or episode to be available on our screens. Boredom always comes our way.

When you are done with your schoolwork or have finished a task, you are probably thinking of what you should do next. Now that we are spending most of our time at home, we tend to find something fun to brighten our mood. In this kind of setting, almost everything eventually leads to boredom since we are in a limited space and area. It is disappointing to notice that the fun-o-meter gradually decreases as time passes by.

Being bored always kills our vibe, especially on a good day. Also, we tend to overthink things that make us feel anxious. Now that we are experiencing the summer season in the Philippines, the hot air coming from our electric fans and the restrictions cause uneasy feelings. Restrictions bring limitless ideas for spending free time in a limited area.

Get up, and it is time to turn your frown upside down. We can beat the heavy feeling brought by boredom by doing something fun and entertaining. We can always kill dull moments by doing these enjoyable activities at home. Take note that these things require only imagination and creativity: listen to music on the radio, on your phone, or maybe play an instrument.

With the right playlist and music, this will hype us up and make us productive. Listening to music improves our mood from very low energy to surprisingly high energy. We start singing and dancing as if we have a mini concert at our house. Also, music relieves stress in our body and lessens anxiety.

Organizing will lead to finding things that we do not use anymore, and we may find it hard to put them in the trash because, for some reason, there are memories attached to them. Now you realize that you are not just organizing, but you are also going on a trip down memory lane.

What is stopping you from calling or sending a message to someone? It is not bad to catch up with a friend, best friend, family member, or a special someone. There are many online platforms to connect with them virtually and recreate those good old days. You can still get that tea even if you are in a different hometown.

Many people are now hopping on this trend to share their insights and experiences. In this way, not only are you able to share knowledge, but you also have a way of documenting and telling your story online so that, in the future, you can rewatch your videos and reminisce about the happy memories you made through time.

While being a columnist for “Tinig ng Bayan” (published in Abra) during the 1980s, I remember our Taiwanese coordinator, Cristina Lising-Geronga, who expressed herself in innumerable write-ups about the topic of loneliness. Sure, “Tinig ng Bayan” was a publication for Filipinos abroad. Loneliness, borne by Filipinos living abroad while missing their families in the Philippines, became a very normal expression.

During that time, my Philippine mentor, the late Monsignor Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, chaplain of the Philippine community in Berlin, started publishing “Ang Mabuhay” together with me. Believe me, loneliness became a main topic in many write-ups.

Nowadays, loneliness and boredom seem to be the spitting image of each other — so to speak, being like two peas in a pod. While browsing social networks like Facebook, one can find more and more comments such as “When Boredom Strikes” or similar phrases. Boredom ending up in loneliness — or vice versa?

How is it that loneliness and/or boredom are still such common topics in today’s society?

Loneliness has been called one of the main diseases even during the last century. It really does not strike only Filipinos abroad and their loved ones back home. Too often, loneliness is followed by alcoholism, drug abuse, and even suicide. Yes, loneliness has become a modern-day plague. I observed several people trying to surround themselves with so-called friends only to find that such relationships are often shallow and unsatisfying.

Loneliness can be painful, but being lonely or alone is not always a bad thing. Ask yourself, how do you use your time if you are really alone? Do you simply let the time pass without doing anything at all? Why not use such time productively? There are many worthwhile activities to engage in, even if you are alone, such as reading, writing, listening to good light music, playing an instrument, or gardening.

Reading the Bible can also be particularly beneficial. The Word of God is “alive and exerts power” and can take our minds off ourselves.

To break the cycle of loneliness, one must be a giver. Let’s keep an eye not only on our personal interests but also on the interests of others. Look around and watch out for who needs help, or who needs a real friend or good listener. Once you have spotted such a person, act! Thus, in order to have friends, you must act like a friend. Luke 6:38 says, “Give to others, and God will give to you!” Besides, “There is more happiness (and less loneliness) in giving than receiving,” says Acts 20:35.

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Suggestions, comments, questions? You can email me at: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.