Hi Rebecca Jane,
It has definitely been awhile since I've heard from you. I am so happy you asked your question!
In answer to it, there are lots of things that I have been doing to beat the boredom away. I have a couple of suggestions for you, but before I get to them, I want to tell you what my "perfect" day looks like.
I would start the day off with a cup of hot cocoa, snuggled under some warm blankets to read from my "100 days to BRAVE" devotional. My "perfect" day would be spent with family and friends, laughing with them and genuinely hanging out with them. I would sit around a campfire with them, roasting marshmallows for s'mores. I'd go kayaking on a sunny day when it isn't too windy, so I can just bask in the sun and read from a good book. I might hike a trail in the woods to tire myself out so I could go home and play Scrabble with my mom and sister. And then I would end the day by binge watching Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D with my family.
BEAT the BOREDOM
1. Spend time in the Word of God.
Be sincere and creative. If you are artsy, do some wordart with a favorite passage of Scripture. If you enjoy brain puzzles, look up some Bible trivia. If you enjoy analytical things, pick a passage of Scripture and analyze it using a Warren Wiersbe Commentary. If you're not much of a reader, listen to an audio version of the Bible. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God.
2. Read favorite novels over again, or new ones.
As you are reading, put yourself in the characters' shoes. Do you agree with the way they think? Why?
3. Use your words.
Be inventive! If you don't like the way a novel you read ended, write an alternative ending and send it to the author. If you like the novel you read, and the author has no intentions of writing a sequel, write one and submit it to the author. You'd be surprised at how they react!
OR
Play a word game like Scrabble with family. It can be a lot of fun, and really challenging. Don't have the board game? That's okay! The app stores have you covered. Look up "Scrabble GO" and download it. The app partners with Facebook and allows you to play against family and friends virtually.
4. Spice your life up with color.
Whether you want to dye your hair with Kool Aid, or you are painting a sunset on a canvas - color, color, color! Coloring and paying attention to detail are great stress relievers. Doodling is also fun. I suggest doodling something in black and then having a family member color it in. If you don't tell them what you drew it's even better!
5. Move it!
Don't like where your dresser is? Move it! Tired of where your bed is? Move it! Don't like sitting still? Move it! Go out for a jog or a walk with family. Follow a home exercise video. Learn a new Zumba dance.
6. Make good food.
If you want something to snack on, I have some favorite mug-cake recipes on the blog. If you want to try something new, go for it! Most recipes in the kitchen are very forgiving.
7. Say it out loud.
Whether you write a speech and deliver it to your family for kicks and giggles, or you sing your heart out in the shower, it's good to keep exercising your vocal cords.
8. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Play a strategy game. These keep your brain active and prevent you from feeling the boredom.
FEATURE CORNER
My friend J.J. Shafe is finishing a chapter of his life. To commemorate that, he decided to tie up some loose ends by releasing an album which will be the farewell to the Cry of The Voiceless (COTV) band. COTV will have legacy that lives on though, you can follow them on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4aEMNBDHMAtHPMAbotb2Sh/about
to continue to listen to some of his hits. The last album that he will be releasing under the COTV name will come out on April 21, 2020. I am excited to give it a listen!
J.J. is also a part of a band called Trinite. Trinite is a newer band that is continuing to release albums and singles, even though COTV will stop. You can follow Trinite on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XVOANRipBkw8YFDKhgaNn/about
If you like his work, feel free to reach out to him on Facebook under the name Jonathan Shafe. He enjoys hearing words of encouragement from those his music has touched in a personal way.
Well, that's it from the Feature Corner for today folks!
Until next time folks,
happy reading!