The vacation count has reached double digits, and as my wife was spending time with her parents talking about how they wanted to be treated when they die, I took Smallsteps into the city to play in a park. It is quite expensive to park the car in the city for a few hours, but now that my office is there, I have "free parking" anytime, including weekends. That is a decent perk the company offers.
And, since there are still people working in the office at the moment, Smallsteps and I went in to have a coffee with a friend of mine. There is even oat milk hot chocolate available in the machine for Smallsteps.
She felt pretty grown up.
Last week we were in the same park and Smallsteps made a friend there and I exchanged numbers with the parents. I messaged them to see if it was possible for them to meet again in the park, but unfortunately they didn't get the message until too late, but we have set something up for next week instead.
We went to a café that has gluten- and lactose- free food after the park.
But, what was interesting was that when we were walking back toward the car, Smallsteps looked at the time on the train station clock and was surprised it was so late, even though we really hadn't done that much. I have found over the last few weeks especially, she has become more conscious of the time spent doing things, which has led to her also complaining for the first time in her life, that she is "bored".
I remember that. I feel it often.
But, this reminded me of a conversation I was having with my wife last night about reading, where she said that I might want to read a particular book because I will find it interesting. It seems that she doesn't know me very well, because "interesting" is only so when it is going to bring me something of value. I don't do anything really for the pure entertainment factor of it, which is why I don't read that much these days.
I don't have the time to indulge myself when I am alone in entertainment.
We had this conversation because my wife got a subscription to an audiobook service, but says she hasn't found the time to actually listen to it. But, the "benefit" of an audiobook is that time is less critical, because you don't have to sit down to consume it, you can do it whilst doing other things - like going to the gym, or driving to work. At these times, I am listening to podcasts, or slices of podcasts, where it might take me a week to listen to the whole thing. Which is why I pick and choose what I listen to more carefully.
At least in my own opinion, I think a lot of people these days are consuming for consumption, whereas before people would be consuming more of what would bring them some additional value. The "interest" wasn't in being entertained, it was in being somehow a little bit better, to increase opportunity. It was about increasing capability, becoming more proficient, being able to do a little more. Now though, people are just consuming random pieces of content in an endless stream, even though it brings them nothing of value to their lives, other than the dopamine kick in the moment.
I have a lot more to write about this topic.
What do you do when bored?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I hardly ever feel unpleasantly bored. I like operating at a slower, unhurried pace, so I spread my days out work wise. I also love long stretches of doing nothing of any "value," which might be how you see these "unproductive" times of mine. But I find myself infused with happiness when I sit and do nothing, so there is a great deal of value to me.
When I am antsy though, different story. At those times when I cannot bring myself to do some task or other that needs doing, and I cannot relax as a result, I go for a walk in nature. Then I am doing nothing, while getting some simple exercise.
I get it - it is just not my nature. I am someone who definitely shouldn't have a beach holiday, as after ten minutes in the sun, I am rocking backwards and forwards.
Nature walks are great. That is good thinking time :)
I get bored and lose interest in things easily. It seems like I do it more often these days. Reading for entertainment is something I used to enjoy, but it is taking me forever to get through books these days. I watch about 10 minutes of a movie and turn it off or start doing something else like read people's blogs on Hive or watch a documentary.
What do you think has caused the change for you? A lot of younger people are similar now, as they spend so much time scrolling short content.
I am not sure. I have thought about it, and it seems it started after I retired. I just don't have an interest in much of anything anymore like I used to except my hobby and history.
I get not having too much interest in things these days. I don't understand how some are interested in what they are though!
You mean you have no interest in watching and reading about the Kardashians? LOL
I don't know what boredom is. There are so many interesting things in this world. Even a simple conversation with your child, how could it be boring? Our parents leave, then we leave, everything in this world is transitory, but there must also be something eternal, immaterial.
Life needn't be boring at all - but it also comes down to what one has been conditioned to believe. Most these days have been taught not to think for themselves. All kids get bored - but some never learn how to not be bored adults.
I think that is good for her. I hope she will also learn that time is priceless and will use it effectively in her life ;)
I think so too! Being bored is the start of creativity :)
Looks like you always want to have something to pinpoint from all the things you read or listen to. Well, that’s the aim and not for unnecessary entertainment but people like me can’t read a book for long or even listen to podcasts for a week like you, lol
It’s a good habit though and there is usually something to learn from them though
Nice one!
It's really great that Smallsteps is learning time management early. Teaching kids to value time helps them appreciate life more. Great job brother
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I also have my podcasts that I consume while I'm doing chores around the house or at the gym. This is valuable because I would be working for an hour or two with my body but enslaving my mind (which could be resting, but is paying attention to a politics and finance podcast)
You made me remember when I was little. I dare not make any friend then😅😅
Well, that’s how African parents were then. They were so over protective.
Also, I love to read a lot but mine is novels and not just those inspirational movies out there, lol
Teaching children at an early age is very good. great performance with that friend. Greetings from Venezuela
I feel like the content I read daily brings me value, brings me experience, enriches my day-to-day life, even if it might not be some tangible asset now (like $SPS or $HBD). Yeah it can be a drag to try and devour a big book of fantastical fiction, but there are surely are some non-fiction work that would help to educate you and bring you more value. I can dig it though, get motivated to read by bringing value to your life. I get motivated to read because we just got a treadmill and I can feed 2 birds with 1 scone!
Make worthless entertainment to waste other people's time XP
On a pure technicality I don't have time to be bored as there's always something demanding my attention but in reality I'm often bored out of my skull doing stuff that needs to be done but that I don't care about in the slightest (like cleaning XD) so I usually try to do stuff in my head while doing the boring stuff but I seem to have lost that ability (hopefully it's a temporary thing from lack of sleep x_x).
Was smallsteps "bored" because there was "nothing" to do or "bored because she would much rather be doing anything but what she was doing at the time?
Sounds like a nice day out around that :)
I've heard that it is important for kids to bored as well. It helps them think and realize what they want to do. If parents have a full schedule for their child all the time, the child will just be going with the flow.
This is a nice query. Lately when bored I watch a movie or a series or cook. Cooking is like a psychotherapy for me and helps improve my mood.
I used to read a lot but lately have abandoned this delight. I think I will return to reading. I believe that reading, culture in general, improve us as individuals.
Have a nice day!