Who has time to be bored? I get lost in my thoughts, day dream, or fantasize; no time to be bored. My mind wanders back to a happy time that I want to re-live and cement in my memory. I will live it over and over. I will write something to a special friend, sometimes a poem or quote that I particularly like. A thought takes me away from the task at hand and I have to stop and look something up, I follow it down a rabbit hole; an hour has passed.
I used to read a book a week, but my eyes don’t allow for such pleasure any longer. Now I read little bits on-line, articles from the New York Times, op-ed pieces, whatever suits my fancy. More often than not, it makes me crazy these days, but I read on.
I don’t listen to much music because it can’t just be background for me. I must sing along; sometimes even dance to it, so that becomes all-engrossing.
I love old movies and will watch favorites when I am home alone. I go back to certain tried and true movies again and again; high romance, period pieces, costume dramas. I love the fantasy; not always happy endings, but some satisfaction and usually it all works out in the end.
Boredom? My mind is too busy to allow it. It is just escape from the real world for me. All one needs is a vivid imagination.
Betsy PfauRetired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.
Betsy, I couldn’t agree more. Your ability to travel in your mind to favorite memories is wonderful. Imagination and creativity are the enemies of boredom. I know that rabbit hole well!
Thank, Laurie.
You’ve absolutely nailed it with your story, Betsy. Busy minds are never bored; they fill the time one way or another. You have beautifully mapped this out. And, as you note, escape is often a wonderful way to do so (though, in my neurotic case, I tend mainly just to worry about the real stuff,)
Also, as usual, a great picture of you. A penny for your thoughts….
Thanks, John. The photo is 45 years old, taken by Dan’s brother in his parent’s backyard, part of a modeling portfolio I put together. So the “far-away” look was intentional. I don’t think I was thinking of anything beyond looking good for the camera!
Wow, Betsy. I read and commented on Laurie’s story before reading yours, but it seems we are clearly on the same wavelength. I remember, vaguely, a cartoon from some time back. Probably a familiar character but in any event the caption is “Sometimes I just sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits.” Absolutely.
I remember that caption too, Tom! Let’s hear it for just sitting! Very nourishing for the mind.
My sentiments exactly, Betsy. Love the images you’ve written, and I understand the power of the mind.
A friend (you will read about her next week) talked recently about moving from Boston to Cape Cod as a child and pouting because she didn’t see children she could relate to. She didn’t have a “life of the mind”, as she so eloquently put it. Her father had no sympathy for her and told her to find ways to entertain herself; she did and was no longer bored.
Lovely story, Betsy. I agree, who has time to be bored? I also think you chose the perfect picture – interesting to read in your comment to John that it was part of a modeling portfolio. Did you ever pursue a modeling career? I’m sure that would make quite a story!
Thank you, Suzy. No modeling for me beyond the life drawing classes already described. I read the Want Ads in the Boston Globe (remember those) when we returned from our honeymoon. One was for a modeling job, but you needed a portfolio. Of course this ad offered to take the photos too, which was NOT what I had in mind, so I asked my brother-in-law (who, as you can see, did a nice job), but the lead went nowhere. I am WAY too short for any professional career as a model.
Very sweet, whimsical piece, Betsy. And a unique take on boredom. Of course, you’re quite right! Who has time?
Thanks, Charles.