I have been unemployed for a little over a month and I am feeling more and more bored. I know quite a few of you are on SSDI... I was wondering if any of you had suggestions of activites or hobbies I could pick up to pass time. I don't have a vehicle (actually I own my truck... but the fiance takes it to work) so I can't go anywhere...
Im in the middle of what I think is an exacerbation so I don't have a lot of energy but my brain is totally bored and I am sick of staring at the TV and the internet...

I guess maybe I should look into getting a job.... or something... don't really want one right now.. but man oh man I am bored outta my gourd! lol

I crochet and knit. I read. Occasionally I'll sew something.

In the summertime, I like to do photography. I take pictures of flowers or anything that I think is interesting. I do some in the wintertime too, but it's COLD in the winter, so I dont go outside that much then

I love to quilt and cross stitch but unfortunately couldn't do either of these while in an exacerbation. I love to do the 'search a word' books and the 'fill it in' books. I think you need to do anything to strengthen the brain. Now for me the online game Breaking bicks ll is great also. I never liked doing it but journaling is also very good. It can also help later on when you read your thoughts during the 'down times'. Just stay with us here.

I guess I just am not cut out to sit around the house... I am going stir crazy... I am going to try to stay up late tonight so I can sleep all day tomorrow while fiance is at work... Problem is, he's been working late so I will have to sleep a long time.. lol

I love crocheting too! But my left hand twitches really bad and it frustrates the heck outta me trying to hold onto the yarn... I really like puzzles and crosswords... but only for so long.. I swear I have ADD.. lol I get bored fast... hmm... Thanks for the suggestions though!!

I do online scrapbooking...making storybooks and scrapbooks. Send me a message and I will share with you how easy and fun it is!

Dude take up world of warcraft, there is no better lifewaster..

and its great for ADD

Most public schools need volunteers. They run a background check. Takes a day or so, then you are entered into their system.

It can be anything from office type of help, to craft projects or sorting papers. Reading or listening to the kids read is a huge help. Many of the kids don't have parents who take the time.

I was at my grandson's school everyday last year.

It hard to go from working all the time to doing nothing. I think many of us can relate to what you are going through. For me, I eventually got back in to my art work. I have never been much of a TV watcher and my TV is rarely on until DDs come home from school.

When my cognition is good, I read A LOT. I love science and read a lot of science articles and books.

Give yourself some time to explore what is out there. There is a whole new world out there for you. Google "list of hobbies" or "find a hobby." I am sure there is tons of stuff out there. Hobbies doesn't necessarily mean crafts or anything artistic. I can be related to an interest of yours, like . . .astronomy and building a telescope.

Everyone here has given some great ideas and I am impressed with all the different things people are doing. What a great inspiration you all are.

Let us know what you decide. I certainly would love to hear what you have found.

Winters in MI are harsh and tend to keep me trapped. That's reading, photo management, movie making, etc. time. In springs and falls, I like to attend trials at the courthouse, visit museums, or look in really old library stacks.

I have a developed a relationship with the nursery school up the hill here, I can get there by scooter. They welcome my visits as a diversion and love it when I come by for an hour or so just to goof around with the kids. I arrive when I want to, skip it, or leave when I feel like it, it's ideal for a kid fix.

When my legs and arms are up for a little more action, I go re-stack books at my library branch. I had to do a minor "audition" to show that I understand the shelving system and they love it when I come in even just for a random hour.

Sometimes I do an audit of interesting college classes, it costs a few bucks but there is no credit or obligation to do homework, exams or study. Once a prof knows me as an auditor, they often allow me without registering. So, if I have to miss half the semester for not feeling well, I'm allowed to attend the second half next semester. Just a nice diversion and a little brain food.

When I was better physically, I taught free swimming lessons to needy kids at the Y. It was easy as long as I stayed in the water.

For a short while I tried to volunteer for my local literacy project by teaching adults to read. It irritated me and I stopped.

Parks & rec departments and national parks always look for people to help out on short and long-term projects. It's nice because you can pick and choose which ones you like.

Since you like animals, you could get involved with a school farm, a humane society, a private ranch or kennel, a vet, or any number of training facilities where an extra body is always welcome for misc. assistance.

For a few years, I was "the field trip lady" for a large home school group (I charged them). It was a ton of fun and we toured all kinds of fascinating businesses, factories, hatcheries, farms, distribution centers, etc.

If there is any kind of living history park nearby, they love to have volunteers dressed in character just strolling their grounds.

Start with any of your interests, figure out what operations are available to you, and go insinuate yourself! It's really pretty simple.

Wow Cindy! You are like the "fill my free time" God! Those are all great ideas, and spark my creativity to come up with a few more (not NOW, my creativity takes a while to warm up, like old television tubes..)..