Too Much Time on my Hands
I don’t know about you but I’ve always been the type of person who has to be doing something. Sure, I like the occasional downtime as much as the next guy or gal. But if I have a say in the matter, my choice without question will be to have a jam-packed day filled with lots of activity.
Plus, I find that staying busy is also THE perfect way to keep yourself from doing things you may not want (like overeating or being a couch potato) or allowing your mind to drift to subjects that may not be the most pleasant (insert your own personal downer topic of choice here).
That said, my options for staying busy are somewhat limited these days while I recover from surgery. No exercise outside of basic walking (aka no running – sniffle) until July 1st. And, no going back to work until the week of June 13th. All this leaves me having to get pretty darn creative about how to make the best use of my sufficiently available time.
Enter some of the miscellaneous tasks I’ve assigned myself in the past couple of days:
- Revising my 2011 monthly budget (I kind of liked this one actually)
- Scheduling my annual optometrist visit
- Providing a friend with career counseling and resume writing help because they’re working and don’t have the time to focus on it
- Organizing my office which was recently renovated
- And..doing light chores around the house
Plus, I’ve been motivated to get back into a couple of less strenuous hobbies like
Reading 
……and
Knitting 
And I’m sure I’ll come up with other primo ideas for keeping myself occupied – perhaps cooking new recipes and writing posts for my blog. I know that whatever I choose to do will ultimately keep me from being idle…and in my world…that’s a very good thing. Don’t you agree?
If you’re in the mood to help a lady out, feel free to pass along any good reads, activities, or ideas for keeping me active (and sane) over the next couple of weeks. J Thanks in advance!
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Oh are you ever singing my song.
Wishing you an easy re-entry to work.We still owe each other a pasta dinner. I am on the road the next couple of months, but I’ll check in (after you can run off a Paparazzi dinner! ;o) ) have a great weekend, Di.
Sounds like a plan. We’re past due on that dinner.
I have to be doing something at all times, too. I think that’s why I go to bed so early it’s the only time I’ll let myself not do anything. I’ve been knitting trying to finish up a blanket I’ve been working on forever. I think cooking is also a great way to spend some free time. It’s pretty calming for me.
I just wanted to say I’m so sorry for what your going through.
I just read your previous post and I am so sorry you had to go through something so terrible. I apologize for being so late with this comment.
I’m thinking of you Di.
I absolutely have to be doing several things at once. Right now I am catching up on blogs, watching TV, and ignoring Maya and my husband. I am a multi-tasker for sure.
I have lots of book recommendations! Check out A Thousand Splendid Suns and A Fine Balance. If you want something lighter I just finished How to Bake a Perfect Life and it was super cute.
Thanks for the book recommendations and for thinking of us. I’ll be sure to check out what you’ve suggested.
Aww I’m NOT good at being bored! I always have to have something going on! I hope you find plenty of activities to keep you occupied
All of the Stieg Larssen books were quite engaging. Same for the Emily Griffith books (though totally opposite). You could also go on a baking frenzy!
Good ideas, Shanna. I’ll take any yummy recipes that folks want to share to get the baking going.
I hope you heal quickly!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a great book! And The Help by Kathryn Stockett was excellent too.
I added these to my books to check out list. Thanks, Nancy!
I am in the same boat I will be out for a few weeks for surgery soon. I plan to read a lot! I read something borrowed and something blue I think her name is karen griffin great started over as soon as I finished.
The last lecture by randy pauche
The shack william young
I read every year and change my perspective on life.
I just finished the girl with dragon tattoo, played with fire, kicked hornets nest
Katie…hope all goes well with your surgery and that you get in some good reads during your downtime. And, thanks so much for sending me several books to check out.
Hi Di,
Good to hear your back in the blogging world – I enjoyed reading your updates in the past. I read your sad news on the other post, so sorry for your loses. I hope in time things will get easier.
As for things to do, hmmm.. Are you allowed to do yoga, or just gentle stretching? Meditation is good to learn. Internet reading, try stumble upon for fun browsing (it’s addictive!). Book in for a massage or some beauty treatment for some relaxing ‘me time’. For books, I have enjoyed The Happiness Project, and Battersey Park Road To Enlightenment both good books about changing a few things in your life for positive outcomes. If I think up more I will get back to you.
Take care,
Betty xxx
Betty – Thanks for your good thoughts, kind words and encouragement. It’s so appreciated. Though I can’t get back to yoga just yet (though I will soon since I enjoy it), meditation and spa treatments are really good recommendations to add to my list. I also plan to check out the books you suggested. Ciao
Hi Di –
You have a great plan…which breeds good things. I have a recommended reading list from Steve Pogorzelski who is always on top of the best reads. Although I have not had any time to read any of these myself, when I did have time he always sent me the best recommendations so I am confident in his choices. Here are a few:
1. Jennifer Egan: a Visit from the goon squad
2. Paul Auster: Sunset Park
3. The Imperfectionists: Tom Rachmann
4. Swamplandia: Karen Russel
5. CUTTING FOR STONE By Abraham Verghese
Erin
I’d expect Steve’s recommendations to be pretty good. I’ll definitely check them out. Thanks for sending these, Erin.
I like to write posts for my blog. It keeps me pretty busy and I cannot stand to be sitting around doing practically nothing boooo.
I agree…a big booo to doing nothing. I’ve been away from writing too long..so it’ll be good to get back to blogging.