Invest your time in spending time with the Lord. You will not regret it.
During the winter months, it can be easy to get bored. With the colder weather, it can be hard to want to leave your house. In fact, depending on where you live, you might be snowed in for several days and unable to leave your house. When times such as these occur, it is best to be prepared ahead of time with things to do to occupy your time.
Here are five ways to fight boredom this winter:
1. Starting a New Book Series
One way to fight boredom this winter is to start a new book series. Starting a new book series will take you on an entire adventure without ever having to leave your home. If you are an avid reader, finding a new book series can be difficult, but not impossible. A few series I recommend are The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, and The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. These are a few ideas to get you started; however, the options are limitless.
Maybe you could even try a book genre that you do not normally migrate to. For instance, if you normally only read mysteries, try a fantasy book. In the same way, if you normally migrate toward fantasy books, try reading a mystery novel. You could even try reading a few classic books to build up your knowledge of literature. If you try a classic, a great title to check out would be Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
Fighting boredom doesn’t have to be hard this winter. You might even think this winter passes by rather quickly when you are filling your free time with reading a new series. Books are adventures waiting to be had, all you have to do is pick one up. If you live with many people, you could even have a book club where everyone reads one book and then you discuss it at meetings. As you can see, there will be no time for boredom this winter.
2. Discover a New Hobby
Picking up a new hobby is a second way to fight boredom this winter. A few hobbies you could try are painting, writing, or cross-stitching. While these ideas might sound old-timey, they are great ideas. It could be you have never tried to paint a picture, write a book, or cross-stitch a masterpiece. Don’t shrug it off until you have actually tried it. It is highly possible that your new favorite hobby could be one of these things.
Give it a shot and see what you think. Even if these ideas are not your thing, you can still think of another hobby you could try this winter. Since it has to be inside, your options for outdoor activities are limited, but not completely restricted. If it is not too cold, you can start an indoor hobby that also incorporates the outdoors. You could press leaves or flowers that you add to a scrapbook. Your new hobby could be collecting leaves, flowers, and other beautiful things.
3. Start an Online Course
A third way to fight boredom this winter is to start an online course. While this might sound intimidating at first, take a few minutes to think about it. Maybe you have been thinking about going back to school or changing your career path. The first step to doing this is by starting an online course. Most colleges offer completely remote classes and programs; therefore, you can complete your entire degree from the comfort of your own home. Starting an online course might begin as a hobby, yet it could become a beautiful change in your career path.
Sadly, finding jobs today can be extremely difficult. Even if you have a four-year degree, many companies are looking for more. They look for experience, skills, and proficiency in various technologies. If you are having a tough time finding a job or have the desire to go back to school, try starting an online course this winter. By the time the winter ends, you will already have one or two classes done!
By investing in an online program, you will be investing in your future. It doesn’t matter how old you are. There are many older people who return to college to achieve more degrees or to finish their studies. Do not allow your age to hold you back from starting the online course that could pivot your life in a better direction. It is a beautiful hobby that will also help you learn and grow as a person.
4. Get Some Housework Done
Since you are stuck inside for most of the winter, it is a great time to get some housework done. Maybe you have a few home improvement tasks you need to get done, but you haven’t gotten around to them yet. Use the winter as an excuse to get these tasks done. Not only will you fight boredom, but you will also see with your own eyes all of the hard work you have put into your house.
If you do not have any home improvement jobs that need your attention right now, try to get some cleaning done around your house. Mopping, dusting, and vacuuming are all things your house needs to be a haven for you. A dirty and messy house can leave you feeling stressed out and anxious. Make it a priority this winter to get some cleaning done around your house. It will take time and energy; however, your clean house will be well worth the manual labor.
5. Spend More Time with Jesus
A fifth way to fight boredom this winter is to spend more time with Jesus. This is the most important thing on this entire list. Spending time with Jesus is crucial for your walk with Him. Neglecting to spend time with Jesus can show up in your life and relationships. If you have noticed yourself becoming increasingly distant from Jesus, try to make an effort this winter to build your relationship back with Him. Spend time with Jesus by talking with Him in prayer, praising Him, and reading about Him in the Bible.
If you are ever feeling bored, tell yourself that it is time to talk with Jesus about the events of the day. You might be surprised as to how fast the time will go when you are talking with Him. Jesus is unlike any person because He is God in the flesh (Colossians 1:19). When you are talking with Him, you will feel more prone to being vulnerable and open with your feelings. Just talking with Jesus for a few minutes could turn into an hour because you might have many things to tell Him.
By spending more time with Jesus, you will have much more joy in your life. You will not feel as overwhelmed because you know the Lord is with you. Invest your time in spending time with the Lord. You will not regret it. Try spending at least half an hour with Jesus each day this winter and see what you think. Not only will you fight boredom, but you will also be cultivating your relationship with the Lord.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Nadine Rupprecht
