Lately I've been having trouble with being bored out of my head. Usually writing is my go to, but I've been so tired and sick lately that I don't have the mental energy. With writing as my main hobby, I find I have no other hobbies to turn to, so I figured I'd ask some like minded people what they do. What are your hobbies? What do you do when you're bored and don't feel like/can't write? I've been thinking about making bracelets but it's a long trip to the store to buy beads and cord . . .
I do research, like listening to podcasts that focus on topics I enjoy and use in my writing, or reading articles. Reading is an obvious go-to, but it hasn't been till recently that I've read non-fiction and actually tried to learn new things outside of school. That's also proved to be a lot of fun. I especially like audio-books for non-fiction. My last go-to is going on trips. I don't have the means to travel far, but I'll hike around in the forest all day when I feel like I need to get away from writing. If you have a lot of spare time, and you want your hobbies to perhaps help and influence your writing, I would recommend trying to learn a new instrument, learn how to draw, or do anything that is otherwise artistic, like making bracelets as you said. These types of things are great brain-fodder, after all. I've gotten to the point now where I don't do anything that I can't find any actual use in as a writer. If you manage your time well, and think about what you want to spend your time doing, you can easily find fun things to do that also helps you become a better writer. Also, try experimenting with working out and eating healthy every day. If you can find a way to make that fun, which I assure you is possible, then you can reap a great benefit as a writer, since both these things are super important for your brain.
Walk the dog. Phone my kids. Read a book. Compare the same news event on different websites (Try BBC and Al Jazeera for how the same stuff is reported!) Hang around WF and sailing websites. Fix something around the house (It's an old house, lots to fix) Go sailing and anchor somewhere without phone or internet and read an old favourite.
Besides journaling, I've been working on my RPG Maker game, though I spend more time looking up on how to do this and that with the game. I also try to go on walks if I can, but lately, that hasn't been happening.
beach-sailor! Until you have sailed in storm and negative C for weeks you have no say in what fun sailing can be!
Mow, mow, mow your lawn gently down your street. Boringly, boringly, boringly, boringly, life's about a... bean! Sometimes, I make parodies out of boredom. I put a movie on, mute it and make my own dialogues. (Some cheesy, Japanese series and some old, Chinese, kung fu movies are the best). I search for new music. I hover in this site. I play the guitar. Actually, when I'm really bored I don't play the guitar. I end up playing with the guitar. (There's a difference). I smoke a lot. Chain smoking. I make another cup of coffee. I sleep. I initiate a conversation and see how that goes. But when I got nothing specific to say, things turn psychedelic. I read my sign. I call my friends and read them their signs. I start reading a book and end up pilling up into a castle all the books I was just too bored to get into. I clean my apartment. Sneaky clean. I watch how-to videos and pick up on another skill. Card tricks are a motherfucker. Keep me occupied. I take a walk and look down in case I find money or a cute cat to lay my hands on. Nothing beats purrrrring love... and money. I free-write and doodle. I sketch stuff. I sing. At least I try... I open and shut the fridge. I do this a lot. I take a shower. I play with the foam. I turn myself into Nietzsche. I look at the ceiling and as it slowly disappears, I simulate things in my mind. I try to take things to a new high. My own matrix. I play sudoku or solve riddles, etc. I try to come up with new poi moves. I end up bruised and angry. I quit! I write this message. Yes, this one. I look at the time. Another perfectly fine day was wasted. Time to sleep... after I jerk-off.
Honestly, now that you mention it I can't actually remember the last time I was actually bored...I seem to always be able to find something to do. It's really weird actually.
I've always found it interesting that people say they are bored. I've never experienced boredom during my free time. Work can be an exercise in slow, prolonged death inducing sameness because I suck at life and never got a formal education. During my down time I have such varied interests I never get bored. One minute I can be researching solar energy and the next be watching prank videos or one of the endless scared cat videos the internet cranks out daily. Time wasting for sure, but never boring. Can one ever get enough cats jumping in surprise because their jerk of a pet parent snuck a cucumber between its legs while it wasn't paying attention? I think not.
I don't often feel bored, but when I do I tend to make stuff, get weird... if I don't keep busy I get in trouble. I made a little writing desk for my niece's two year old daughter 'Stella', whose practicing her writing and picture making... Occasionally I'll host a costume party, and whatnot... sometimes it gets weird.
Lately it's been work (Nightshift), sleep, wake and eat, read a little, talk to wife, go to work. My last few shifts have been easy, so i've spent time researching for the follow on to my novella (an actual long story....look at me) Days like today i love, I got home from work at 08:05, my son was already on his way to school, my wife went to work at 08:15, i took my daughter to school at 08:45, took my dog to the beach at 09:00, got home at 10:20, went loo, made coffee and now browsing before i start the finish to my novella at 11:00. If I'm bored i read, watch football or a boxset with the wife. Mess about the kids (If home). Most of the time i clean or get dinner prepped for when everyone is home. The music keeps me sane... Perfect Piano playlist on Spotify
Routine can become boring, yet remains necessary in many cases. And as far as free time being boring, - I have no idea what you are talking about.