Today I was flipping through my DVR, and realized I only have 1 show left to watch ("The Office" season finale, which I am very much looking forward to watching). As I scanned through my scheduled recordings, I realized it has reached that time of the year. All of our favorite TV shows are going into summer hiatus, and we'll have to wait until fall, or worse, winter to get our entertainment fixes.
At this realization, I felt a sudden sense of panic. What was I going to do with my free time after work or on the weekends? After that feeling, I immediately felt feelings of shame. Have I really become that addicted to TV that I think I have nothing to do when all of my shows aren't on?
In an attempt to help myself break out of this slump, and to perhaps inspire some of you, I put together a list of activities that I can do this summer to keep myself occupied and entertained.
1. Do A Puzzle
Puzzles are a great way to pass the time. They are a lot of fun, and when you finish, you always feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment. You can start a new one, or even redo one you've already finished. I have a bunch in my closet I am definitely going to pull out to work on.
2. Work Out
Working out is not only enjoyable, but incredibly good for your health. When you work out, your body produces endorphins, which in turn, gives you energy and makes you happy! I always dread going to the gym, but once I finish sweating it out, I always feel better. If you don't have a gym membership, you can still get a great work out. You can purchase free weights for pretty cheap, and print out some work outs to get your exercise at home. A good website to check out is
http://www.self.com/. Of course a quick jog or bike ride around the neighborhood is also always a good idea.
3. Clean Up
"Make your bed!" "Do the dishes!" "Clean the toilet!" We've all been told to do these not-so-enjoyable chores. When someone else tells you to do these things, it always seems like the worst idea. But I have found that when I take on cleaning jobs myself, I feel great. Whenever my apartment is clean, I feel a lot less stress and comfortable in my living place. Just organizing the junk drawer can give you a whole night of activity. Plus, you'll never know what cool knickknack you'll find. Also, you can take the things that you don't want anymore and donate them to Goodwill or Salvation Army. That leads me to my next thing to do . . .
4. Be A Philanthropist
There are a lot of people out there that need our help. I live in America, and am so blessed to have everything I do. But, not everyone is as fortunate. Just donating a few hours of my time to a Soup Kitchen or After School Program could change someone's life. Charity is about helping others, but it also helps you in that you know you've made someone's day.
5. Do A Craft
My last suggestion is to do a craft. I used to love making things when I was younger. Doing something with your hands inspires you and gives you the desire to make even more. Whether it is buying a stamp set and making your own greeting cards, or designing a picture frame for a friend, doing a craft is a great way to spend your time. You can find cheap craft supplies at your local Wal-Mart, Target or Michaels.
Those are my ideas for how to spend your time when your favorite shows are all off the air. Once fall comes and your shows are back on, you don't have to abandon these ideas! I know I'm going to try to spend less time watching TV, and more time furthering my personal growth. If you have any ideas on how to spend your free time, please share in the BBS!
Off to start a puzzle,
AMae
Author's Note: Sources: Links for pictures
http://www.zimbio.com/Greg+Warren/articles/6/Pittsburgh+Steelers+NFL+150+Piece+Team+Puzzle
http://www.dynamicfondue.com/exercise-equipment/weights/
http://mostlikely2.wordpress.com/2009/04/
http://www.carmelresidents.org/News0301.html
http://www.raptorkrafts.co.uk/CraftSupplies.htm
