Musings by One Tampa Chica
Sometimes I’m so consciously aware of how bored I am. The immediate realization is how often I wander to the refrigerator. There I stand in front of the open door pondering what on earth I could eat that would feed the void I’m feeling.
Nothing on Netflix, HBO, or the Hallmark Channel grabs my attention. I feel like I’m wasting time, killing brain cells, or missing opportunities to do something, even though I don’t know what that something is. It is times like this that I think about learning how to knit or crochet.
Now don’t think I have nothing to do. I fill the days of the month with plenty of activities – volunteering, OLLI-USF classes, committees, and board of director meetings, places to go, people to see, and things to do. So what is it that makes me feel so unproductive and bored?
I think my boredom comes from not having some creative working projects. Since the 9th grade, I have sewed my clothes, and later I sewed my children’s clothes. When creative sewing moved into home decor, I made pillows, curtains, and quilts. I purchased a fantastic embroidery machine and fell in love with French heirloom sewing and monogramming shirts, towels, and blankets. I was happy. It was a costly hobby.
In my career, I was an event planner. My market was weddings. I loved the job. I could help families plan and create one of the most special days in their lives. It was a perfect job for me.
Today I sit and look at a lovely living room where all the furniture, pictures, and accessories are placed in an attractive arrangement. A lot of attention has been given to every detail. I can go shopping and select items to enhance the stuff I have already purchased. I have even thought about cooking my way through the Art of French Cooking a la movie, Julie and Julia. That is not the right choice since I’m a Weight Watchers member and I don’t want to challenge the 55 pounds I’ve lost.
I spend a significant amount of time on the computer perusing Facebook, checking Gmail, shopping on Amazon, researching places to travel, and reading other people’s blogs. Writing a blog would be creative. But what on earth could I write about that would interest anyone? Well, here I am, two hours later, writing a note on Facebook, trying to be creative about what is bothering me.
What I learned today is that trying to be creative takes time and can be very entertaining. Perhaps I’ll write about another personal issue now that I have a theme going.
We’ll have more from Ray Ann in our next issue–Editor
Ray Ann Favata says “For about 15 years, OLLI has offered me the opportunity to serve as the Volunteer Management Committee Chair, President of the Board of Advisors for the 20th Anniversary Celebration, and Chair of the Travel Opportunities Committee. My membership in OLLI has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
Your article made me smile! It’s exactly how I’m feeling – lots of opportunities to “catch up” on projects, books and films, and meh interest in most of them. I am so looking forward to OLLI classes starting again. Maybe it’s the daily structure I miss? And of course, the people! You are not alone, Ray Ann!
Hi Ray Ann, I too enjoyed reading your post. There’s a lot of talk about “flow” these days, about being so absorbed in something — a project, book, embroidery–just a few examples, to sweep away any possibility of boredom.
Can’t wait to hear more from you!
I think you have a future as a blogger for women like us.
Great post. Thank you.
Your blog today is like a close and comforting good friend. I too smiled as I read it.
Thank you.
My problem is not having nothing to do. I find both creative and mundane ways to procrastinate to keep me from doing them.
Funny, I do too!
I, too, have plenty to keep busy, but not much of that is inspiring! For me connecting person to person is really what I crave. That’s what gets my creative juices flowing. Zoom is like watching tv. I need to hug people and and be face to face. In the meantime, my To Do List is the shortest it’s ever been, but nothing on it will be fun.