Almost everyone I’ve ever known has felt lonely or bored.
Being lonely or bored is a CHOICE
There are so many ways NOT to be lonely or bored. Here are a few.
Read. Nonfiction, biographies, novels of dozens of different kinds, graphic novels.
Volunteer at a hospital, church, or primary school. Wherever there are people. An excellent way to keep up with friends.
Have lunches with friends.
Pets. Of course. If there’s a park or other place where pets can run and play with other pets, they’ll love you for it. And you can visit with pet owners. Best to keep dogs with dogs and cats with cats, even though dogs and cats can become best friends.
Plant a garden. Listen to beautiful music while tending what you plant. Best to avoid heavy rock. Plants tend to wilt and die when exposed to rambunctious “music.”
If you have a friend who likes to cook, and so do you, get together to cook! It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or difficult. I have friends who would love to find out why my pinto beans and cornbread are absolutely more delicious than theirs. Then, there’s my Pina Colada Cake. My keyboard refused to put a Tilda over the n in Pina.
Write handwritten letters. Not email or texts. On lovely paper with a pen you love to write with.
My precious friend in Austin loves getting mailed letters. We’ve been friends since we met in the 4th grade. More than 60 years. A handwritten letter is a gift. And you don’t have to read the letter on your phone.
Choose one social media app. Set a timer so you won’t spend hours on it. I no longer have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (I left when it became X because I despise the new owner), or LinkedIn. I’ve been on, off, on, off, on, off, and now back on Medium. I have a Substack called Linda’s Heart, but I seldom write newsletters. I have a growing number of subscribers. You’re invited to join and get chapters, sample recipes
10. Writing is my favorite way to keep my mind busy. I’ve been writing professionally for decades. This summer, I’ll be writing a LOT to resurrect my writing income, which fell into a coma during 20 years of in-home caretaking.
I’ve been subbing at our local High School for the past four years. I’ll be subbing again next school year… UNLESS writing two new novels and publishing three novels and the cookbook this year provides the income I need to keep writing full time.
Increasing my number of paid subscribers on Linda’s Heart could provide more income so I can stay home with our kitties and write every day.
Choosing to be a paid subscriber tells me you want me to keep writing and sharing. It’s direct support for a writer you appreciate. Me! Thank you!!!
The Bottom Line
Have I given you enough ways to avoid ever being bored or lonely?
Remember, being lonely or bored is a CHOICE.
Choose wisely.
Hugs and Happiness,
Linda
Linda George has been a professional writer for more decades than she likes to admit—okay, four decades. She was also an in-home caretaker for three family members with Dementia (two decades) when writing simply wasn’t possible.
She and her sweetie have been married 54 years. They live in West Texas and frequent their little piece of paradise in the NM mountains near Cloudcroft.