I am so bored and restless I could scream!
By TessWhite
@TessWhite (3146)
United States
January 18, 2009 11:50pm CST
Lately I have been so restless and don't know what to do with myself. I'm disabled, and unable to work so I'm home pretty much 24/7. I can only watch so much TV. I read, I cook, I clean, I play with my pets, I email and I myLot. But since I often don't leave home for a week or so I don't get alot of human contact. Now don't get me wrong, I do have my sweet guy. But its not like we always have alot to talk to each other about. Each day I ask how work was, and each day his answer is busy. That sums up the conversation. LOL I know in the coming months I'll be moving, and my house in that state is now under renovation. But until I move there isn't much I can do here. I packed up all my paints and craft stuff and shipped it north.
Is anyone else out there a home bound person who suffers from boredom like this? What do you do to pass the time? What do you do when you find yourself so restless you are almost pacing the floor? With my health issues I'm limited physically on what I am able to do or where I can go. And with money issues that limits the activities as well. Here it is almost midnight. I'm not sleepy, and I want to DO something. Sigh... Any answers?
6 people like this
18 responses
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I can relate to your situation. I am not disable I am just jobless and I don't know what to do with myself. I have been working all my adult life and now I find myself out of a job because of the company closing. I have been looking for something to do to occupy my time and something that isn't going to cost me money. I live in a small town so participating in anything worthwhile is limited. I have a neighbor that is a member of our community sports center, they have indoor walking tracks and a lot of exercise equipments and rooms but they also have a fee you can pay as you go or you can get on a yearly plan. I can't afford either.
I wish I lived close to you then we could hang out together. I don't mind sitting around the house conversating and having fun.
I go to bed early then I can't sleep. Something has got to give here.
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Sounds familiar. I'm so broke its not funny. I have 12 dollars to last me until the end of the month. LOL Hard to do much of anything on that!
1 person likes this
@sweetpeasmom (1325)
• United States
20 Jan 09
yes i am pretty much home bound too. i am a stay at home mom and i go crazy every once in a while!! I did today when my husband called. I just started yelling at him and telling him how bored I am and how the kids are driving me crazy. It is worse in the winter time.
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I remember those days when my son was young and times when I was stuck at home. They can be boring AND stressful.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Well, for a couple of yrs. due to Diabetic issues I was homebound, and had to stay home a lot of the time and unable to work outside the home as well. There for a while I was not even able to attend church even, and it did get boring and crazy. I had severe Chronic wounds I was dealing with, and so my life felt about how you are describing here for sure.
What I would suggest is somehow find some things that you like to do and do them. Is there not a Computer game you can play, or something else you can do to help take your mind off of this? Or someone you can call and try to get together with to make sure you can get out of the house more?
Honestly I value your courage and willing to share this in here, and know in time things will work out for the best.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I understand what you went thru. I'm diabetic also. For me its the pain of neuropathy that limits me - as well as other health problems.
I used to LOVE to find old furniture pieces and paint them. Bright colors, patterns, etc. And turn them into different items. For instance one bright purple chair became a front yard planter for some hot pink geraniums. Maybe I need to find some paints and get to work on the old desk I have in storage.
Thanks for the reply.
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Hi Tess,
I know what you mean. I too am disable with spinal stenosis. I have to take some major pain meds.so I don't drive much except to the gracery store a couple blocks down the road, which is not often. My new pain meds. cause me to get sleepy a couple hours during and after I take them. So if I wake up at 7:30AM then by 10:30Am I can't keep my eyes open and I sleep again for at least a couple of hours. I tend to be up till 1 or 2Am.
I'm not able to stand for more than 5 or 10 minutes so getting what housework I can do done is a bit of a chore. So, I understand very well how you feel. Now that I have little Dexter he keeps me entertained and a little busy. He is only almost 4 months old and I'm already dreading him becoming an adult dog.
What happened to you to disable you, if you don't mind me asking. You are so young. For that matter, I feel too young to be disabled, and I'm going to be 59 on Jan. 30th. I suggest you get the minimum of what you need to let you paint until you move. Where are you moving to? If I ask too many questions just tell me so. I wish I could help you more or should I say some. Hugssss
leenie
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I know how you feel Leenie. I'll answer your questions in a private email I'm sending. :) Thanks for this reply.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Jan 09
I am so sorry that you have physical limitations. It is certainly more than a trial for you. when you eventually move you say that things will be much better so this is something for you to look forward to. But what about now, I can hear your screaming. I don't have any answers. Do you have any friends that you can invite over? You are suffering from lack of human contact and this lack can affect everyone. a Priest said something to me once when I was complaining. He said that perhaps this is the life that God wanted me to live so I should live it to the fullest in every way that I could and bear your cross' cheerfully - or at least try to be cheerful. I know that this is not what you want to hear dear friend. If I could I would comeover and we could visit. I am sure that yothe friends here at mYlot will have wonderful suggestions. Me? I'm rubbish with ideas. Blessings
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Hmmm unfortunately I don't have any local friends. But yes I think I need to get out some. So today since its sunny I think I'll go over to the shore and maybe feed the seagulls or sit on the seawall and watch the boats.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Jan 09
Now you are talking and being pro active. Being indoors all the time is so depressing. Go and feed those sea gulls and enjoy it. Blessings
@redberry (178)
• Philippines
19 Jan 09
Hi tess. I'm also always here at home with my son. everyday my husband goes to work and only the two of us are left home. my son is still 10mos old, so after I do all my chores, I spend some time with my kid until he gets sleepy. when he sleeps that's the time I get to watch movies or tv series. I download a lot of movies and tv series, so that I will have something to watch everyday. Or I spend my time trying to explore the net on online money making sites. And at times I just simply sit by the computer and stream on animes. I know, you must be thinking... at my age I still watch animes. Well that's a simple truth I'm an anime addict...hehehe. Animes are just hilarious, they make me laugh. Why don't you try watching some...hehehe
@hiddenwing (3719)
• China
19 Jan 09
I used to watch anime a lot. But I think some American cartoons like The Simpsons are more attracting! Have a great day!
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Glad you've found something you like to watch. I'm more an animal planet or HGTV type of girl I think. But even that gets old at times. Enjoy your baby while he is still young. I miss having my son that age. (My son is almost 28 and has two children of his own) So I know how quick they grow up.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
19 Jan 09
i don't experience what you experience because i didn't stay at home all the time... but i can understand how you feel and it must be really annoying to have to stay at home all the time... i will be bored as well if i have to do that... may be you can do something that you like to kill the time... like your hobbies... or catch up with your friends every now and then just to hang around together... or go to the library near your house to read books... good luck... take care and have a nice day...
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
No friends to hang around with. But we do have a library so I may try that. Thanks.
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
19 Jan 09
if your moving up north you have a supply of great parks that you can lose a day or 2 in,if you by chance live anywhere by the coast or a beach they have "sand wheel chairs" that are available. i've got the same problem,but i live in florida so i fish,so i can get lost on the beach,plus they have back country parks galore. i'm not wheel chair bound but on a recent trip to aruba i saw the sand chairs their really pretty cool, if you need one. i also garden, veggies and citrus tree's, maybe that could be an option. i started playing games at nite so as a marine anything i can blow up on screen will keep me busy for awhile, space games are pretty cool.-try big fish games .com.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
19 Jan 09
[i]Hi Tess,
I hope you will find friends who will pick you up and bring you to the mall, strolling and just enjoying seeing different views! If ever, they are all busy then maybe you can do cross-stitching and just devote your time working online and also watching series that you love!
I am not working and I felt that a lot especially when I am alone, that is why I decided to have some volunteer job even twice a week![/i]
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I know its hard for people to believe this, but I don't have friends here. I've been here less than 4 years and spent most of that time either sick, recovering from surgery, or nursing my dying mom. We also don't have malls, only Walmart and one grocery store. Is it any wonder I'm ready to move? LOL I used to do stitch work and loved it. Maybe I'll see if I can find any kits I want to do. Thanks.
@silverjam (969)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Well at least your here in your country unlike me that is thousands miles away from home, so can you imagine how bored I am being in a strange land w/ nobody around execpt my husband? But I seldom feel boredom because I have a lot of things I consider doing productively. I have my tv w/c shows more of a Filipino channel so I feel more like home as I watched the same programs and shows I was watching before. I have the internet to go online to chat w/ friends and do the mylotting. I have always the household chores that keeps me busy everyday. I have books to read and i have cellphone to call my friends w/in the states. At summer i entertain myself by walking from home to Walmart, TJ Maxx and the mall to just do shopping and window shopping w/c I like most as my hobby.
I guess boredom is just a state of mind. If you fill yourself w/ things that makes you busy and occupy your time you will forget that you are bored. Wellin addition, I have posted a topic like this before; it entitles "WHAT DO YOU USUALLY DO WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO? If you can take time then you may browse on it and you can see how people here entertains boredom in positive ways.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thanks for your reply. And welcome to our country. I hope you enjoy it here. :)
@ketki_123 (28)
•
19 Jan 09
Hi TessWhite,
im also spending most of the time at home(nowa days), as i have chuk the job.. when i find myself bore or anything of that sort , i start blogging where in I penned down about what i feel at that very moment... and as a result my boredom vanishes..
take a chill this slugish will also pass
Cheers
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I haven't blogged in months. I used to enjoy it. I think I just need to get out, and find something to do. I think my inactivity is also causing my insomnia tonight.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Hey tess! I hear ya! I get that way sometimes and there is
no excuse for me because there is so many things for me to
be doing around my apartment! My boyfriend gets so angry
with me because he says all I do is sit in front of the
computer! That's because when he gets home from work that is
where he finds me! I stay up really late, the I sleep really
late and do it all over again! My schedule is so screwed up
because I don't really have a schedule! If I do have somewhere
to go that even throws me off! If I finish mylotting I just
keep surfing the net to find something to read or I just do
what you do and pace! I play with the cats and just end up
sitting here bored! You would think I would find something
worth while to do but I just can't think of anything I want
to do. I think that is the problem!
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Are we twins separated at birth? LOL your day sounds alot like mine. Last night I was up half the night. So today I slept half the day. I hope I sleep better tonight so I can get more done tomorrow.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 09
Hi Tess, that sounds like you are in a really difficult position. It sounds as though you are doing quite well though despite your difficulties. I face boredom myself from time to time and I try and get active around the flat. I love to read and I just love the Internet, I don't know where I would be without them! I love movies too so I guess I sit in my armchair a lot! Anyway, good luck and I hope that things get better for you. Andrew
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thanks. I'm going to work on coming up with projects to get me thru this spell of boredom.
@chelshu2 (2)
• Jamaica
19 Jan 09
Hi Tess I feel the same way but I wish I could do even one percent of what you are able to do.I am wheelchair TRAPPED I am not able to movr out of the chair unassisted/ I am facing the challenges of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS I am realy realy feeling .BORED/DEPRESSED/ I worked with the UN travelling extensively and now this!!!!Tessa we can only have a heart to heart meeting/discussion with GOD...and listen to what HE has to say. HE definely has the answer
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I'm sorry. You are right, I should be grateful for what I have. When my mom became wheelchair bound due to her cancer I know I tried my hardest not to complain. I realize you are stuck, but have you tried painting or sketching if you are able?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Sounds like you're a restless soul like me...LOL. With me it's kind of been the opposite though. Don't know if the weather has to do with it, plus the fact that my landlord hasn't exactly been very generous with the heat and all the tenants been complaining about that, so it's downright chilly in the place. The ironic thing when it was still in the 30s and 40s we had heat galore and made me sweat! The past few days though we've plunged down to the teens and at night the temperature has been in the single digits. So I don't know if it's the weather affecting me but I'm just not in the mood to do anything, yet I too am bored out of my mind since I want to do something. I haven't even been writing my articles the way I should be doing
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Sounds similar Pye. Its been cooler here as well. And trying to keep my uninsulated home warm has been a challenge. This is why I've been baking more to help warm the place. The problem with that is I EAT the stuff and its not good for me. LOL I do have access to a heated pool in my complex. The only problem is I'm in a senior complex (although I'm no senior yet) and I really don't wish to go swimming and hear all the old people gossip. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and buy more paints and get back to my painting. Hope it warms up for you Pye...
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
19 Jan 09
Hi Tess, i am also disabled from muscular dystrophy which i contracted in 1970. Since the last 21 years i have not been out of my house since i am on a wheelchair and my house is on the 2nd floor of my building which has no elevator. So you can imagine what my mental condition should be or should have been. To tell you the truth i thank God for giving me this disease because i have learnt so many things. It has kept me out of trouble,haha and many more things. I have retired from my profession and believe me my time literally flies. I find that there are so many things that i want to do and do not find time for them.I have absolutely no time to get bored and thank God for that.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Well you are indeed fortunate that you don't get bored then. I admit there are many days when time does fly by. But there are just as many that seem to drag on for an eternity. But thanks for your response. It puts things into perspective. I guess I should be grateful I can still leave my home when I want huh? Blessings...
@murugezh (273)
• India
19 Jan 09
I can tell you something TessWhite! you can better go out for a while to the nature. It'll bring all your loneliness to a happiness feeling. Actually I am in a condition right opposite to you I am always have to meet lot of people in sales field (Marketing) everyday. Each and every one has different likes and dislikes, have to talk with them sweetly to sell my products. Nature will teach you lot of things in our like how they are strong enough to make our mind crystal clear and enthusiastic everyday. If you can feel it in nature.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
You may be right. It is supposed to be beautiful today (yes, its 3AM and I'm still not asleep). So I may try to get out later when the sun is up and get some sunshine and exercise. Maybe then I can sleep.
@aspnaren (314)
• India
19 Jan 09
This is a normal thing to people who stay alone.Dont try do anything to pass your time when you are alone.Do what comes up to your mind,whatever it may be.Try reading some quality books.During midnight when you don't feel sleepy come out and watch the beauty of nature.Admire little things that you never thought you could admire,for example admire at a rapidly turning pages of the book keep nera the window.All these thing will get you into a new world and remove your feeling of isolation
