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What do you do when you've got nothing to do?

(65 Posts)
kittylester Mon 23-Nov-15 09:52:25

I had a couple of hours the other day at a complete loss as I had nothing to do. What could/should I have done?

I am used to being busy one way or another with DC, DGC, Mum, library committee, seeing friends and working (very) part-time for DH. I do the shopping, cooking and most of the gardening. When DH finishes work at about 4pm, he makes a cup of tea and sits down with the paper or to watch something on catch-up but, somehow, I can't do that. Why?

I am completely uncrafty and no good at any sort of arty thing. what can I do to relax? And why, considering all the things I do, am I not thin and elegant? confused

SALTburn64 Tue 24-Nov-15 10:09:40

Get a keyboard and learn how to play music,you won't want to do anything esle after that

grannylyn65 Tue 24-Nov-15 10:23:22

As poor health limits everything, its TV(previously recorded) reading and PC + coffee!

sparkygran Tue 24-Nov-15 10:34:17

Like so many others I was brought up to always be busy and if the cleaning was up to date then, cook, bake, iron etc and I lived my own life in much the same way until I wised up and having been retired for 12 years now I love doing all the things that were frowned upon by that older generation. Reading, laptopping, seeing friends the list is endless but enjoying my home and being content is a major factor. Then of course when the clock strikes 4.00pm winetime

oznan Tue 24-Nov-15 10:38:34

I agree with others about reading-if novels aren't your thing,why not try a non-fiction book on a subject that interests you? I am also addicted to zendoodling.You don't need to be arty,zendoodling is basically filling in shapes with patterns and there are lots of ideas on the internet.There is also a great range of books to start you off,I bought some on Amazon.
Another time filler that can lead to new interests is simply setting yourself a topic and finding out all you can about it on the internet-maybe research your local area's history,look up a bird or flower you have seen or find out about planet.Endless possibilities and it's amazing how much you can learn!

Linbrikat Tue 24-Nov-15 10:40:24

I spend spare time entering online competitions. Have a look at Martin Lewis's moneysavingexpert website. There are hundreds of free to enter competitions there with all sorts of prizes. The downside is it does lead to some junk email but the upside is you might win. Last year my DD won a Harrods Christmas hamper worth £475! Between us we've also won lots of small prizes throughout the year.

Elrel Tue 24-Nov-15 10:44:38

Oh dear, I go on Gransnet or FaceBook even when I've LOTS to do! Or catch up with phone calls. Occasionally do a Sudoku.
Far too rarely I refocus myself by meditating, by far the best remedy for me.

jenwren Tue 24-Nov-15 11:00:00

I am in the U3A so when I have a free day, get my little booklet out and see if there is anything of interest I fancy. My membership covers two other areas. So by the time I have decided and got distracted by ie researching my family tree or decluttering a cupboard its 5oclock and my working day is over.

seadragon Tue 24-Nov-15 11:24:58

As rosesarered reminds us "Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits" - I believe it was Brer Rabbit - now widely discredited.

i had to learn to be on my own and quiet but the skill proved invaluable for replenishing the batteries. Walking is a good compromise and I do a lot of my best thinking then. It's help me rediscover the things I am passionate about and I'm usually raring to go when I get back.......then life gets in the way again!

PPP Tue 24-Nov-15 15:53:41

'What is life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?'

luluaugust Tue 24-Nov-15 16:00:14

Always plenty of decluttering to do round here, otherwise reading and crosswords.

rosequartz Tue 24-Nov-15 16:37:05

There is not such thing as nothing to do in my life. This is because standing and staring is doing something

That's so true. And thinking is very hard work too. Sometimes it is even productive.

rosequartz Tue 24-Nov-15 16:39:04

In fact, I have thought about my last sentence and think that it is ungrammatical hmm

Bug180 Tue 24-Nov-15 16:47:59

Well I have this afternoon done something unusual for me, had a nap, but I was up 5 times last night with poorly GS.
But to answer OPs question, I always can find something, often I can be found with iPad in hand, but i do a lot of crafts, my dolls house is finished bar the attic which I have been trying to finish for 18months, I never seem to find the time! Cooking, gardening, Pilates, childcare fills most of my time, and we spend a lot of time away pottering around in our motorhome, off to Edinburgh tomorrow smile

ninathenana Tue 24-Nov-15 18:26:14

Your not staying at the Mortonhall site by any chance are you Bug ?