Boredom

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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,759 Championing
    I bought a Rubiks cube this week as I thought it would be a good non-screen distraction.

    Turns out I have to keep referring to an online guide to work out the correct manoeuvres!   :D

  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    At least you have some pretty colours to look at @OverlyAnxious :) 
  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    Meditation is good and doesn’t require a screen @OverlyAnxious, also you could try using one or two positive affirmations while doing it. Some people find that especially useful while the mind is relaxed and pliable. ?
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    OverlyAnxious said:
    I bought a Rubiks cube this week as I thought it would be a good non-screen distraction.

    Turns out I have to keep referring to an online guide to work out the correct manoeuvres!   :D

    I had one of those many years ago but always got frustrated with it. 
  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    Staring at a candle flame can be good mindfulness for a few minutes, and if you want to prolong the matter have a friend hide your matches before hand.  

    (Disclaimer: only light a candle if you’re in a safe place to do so and keep it well away from anything which could burn or burst into flame. Seriously.)
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    leeCal said:
    Staring at a candle flame can be good mindfulness for a few minutes, and if you want to prolong the matter have a friend hide your matches before hand.  

    (Disclaimer: only light a candle if you’re in a safe place to do so and keep it well away from anything which could burn or burst into flame. Seriously.)
    Candles smell nice too :) It's just a shame that as private renters we're not allowed them
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,759 Championing
    MarkN88 said:
    OverlyAnxious said:
    I bought a Rubiks cube this week as I thought it would be a good non-screen distraction.

    Turns out I have to keep referring to an online guide to work out the correct manoeuvres!   :D

    I had one of those many years ago but always got frustrated with it. 
    They're actually really simple using an online guide, only takes a matter of minutes when you know what to do.  I managed to get the first layer done without any help but just could not work out how to do the rest without messing that layer up.  When I saw the algorithms used I realised I'd never have worked them out on my own so don't find it cheating lol.  Still found it fascinating the way that after 8 moves which appear to be ruining it, the 9th suddenly completes the action.  Also found it kind of cool that computer algorithms were showing me the physical algorithms needed.  :)
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,759 Championing
    leeCal said:
    Meditation is good and doesn’t require a screen @OverlyAnxious, also you could try using one or two positive affirmations while doing it. Some people find that especially useful while the mind is relaxed and pliable. ?
    Thanks Lee, but I just don't find mindfulness relaxing at all.  I need something to fully occupy my mind and push the other thoughts out, instead of trying to 'empty' my mind of thoughts.  It's the same with music - I often have the the radio on when I can't sleep, but slow, gentle music doesn't help at all, the thoughts continue to race around...yet something with a faster beat and more than one instrument creates an almost overwhelming focus to push everything else out.  

    I have thought about a candle...particularly one of those that keeps bugs away with windows open this time of year!  But I'm not a fan of fire at all so would probably be constantly worried about burning the flat down, although I suppose that could be a strong enough thought to push the others out!  :D
  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    edited June 2021
    @OverlyAnxious, have you tried meditation, I use a counting method which blocks other thoughts and brings you into the now constantly. Starting at one on your first out breath up to ten and then start again from one. If you lose track of which number you’re on you start again from one. That should work really. ?

    (incidentally, you can count your breaths anytime to experience the now not just when meditating.)
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,759 Championing
    leeCal said:
    @OverlyAnxious, have you tried meditation, I use a counting method which blocks other thoughts and brings you into the now constantly. Starting at one on your first out breath up to ten and then start again from one. If you lose track of which number you’re on you start again from one. That should work really. ?

    (incidentally, you can count your breaths anytime to experience the now not just when meditating.)
    Much of my anxiety is around my body and bodily processes, so meditation hasn't worked so far.  Focussing on breathing just increases my heart rate and then I start to panic as I can no longer breathe automatically...  :#  I also tried a walking meditation last year, focussing on the steps, but that just caused the worst burning sensation I've ever had in my feet, ankles and up my calves. 

    I had to switch back to an 'external' distraction before it started to subside.  That external distraction was picking up faults on the passing cars...squealy brakes, noisy wheel bearings, misfires, loose aux belts...just anything to get away from my own body.  :)
  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    I’m told embroidery and knitting are good boredom busters too. Not sure I’d take up either though tbh.
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,759 Championing
    Not sure they're for me either!  Jigsaw puzzles are another potential idea, if you have the space to do them.
  • chloeblue04
    chloeblue04 Online Community Member Posts: 234 Empowering
    I don't like boredom because on Sundays it's extra boring and I hate Sundays.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    Is there a particular reason Sundays are more boring @chloeknight16071992? Is it because things usually close earlier? 
  • chloeblue04
    chloeblue04 Online Community Member Posts: 234 Empowering
    My reason why Sundays are boring for me is because there's nothing fun and eventful to do.
  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    Did you get around to buying the dartboard @OverlyAnxious?
  • chloeblue04
    chloeblue04 Online Community Member Posts: 234 Empowering
    No.
  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    To reiterate something I posted elsewhere, building small models from used matches can be fun and they make attractive objects once finished, just used matches and glue . Many people used to do this making anything from a small lodge to a giant sized Cathedral. Good fun.
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,759 Championing
    leeCal said:
    Did you get around to buying the dartboard @OverlyAnxious?
    I did...but I haven't actually used it.  My vision, vertigo & shake got worse before I got around to hanging the board sadly.  I have been watching re-runs of Bullseye on Challenge though.

    I've been doing a few jigsaws & watching old comedies on iPlayer to try and remove some of the boredom.  Finding something that doesn't strain my eyes, ears or require precise dexterity seems to be difficult.  Can't even get out for a walk now so I'm stuck in one room all day every day which is a bit frustrating.
  • csno01
    csno01 Online Community Member Posts: 409 Empowering
    This is something I can definitely relate to. I think having a to do list helps.  I think it could be connected with a short attention span perhaps?

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