Yesterday was my youngest daughter's birthday. In other opportunities I have told you that she has been living in Europe for some time, so our communication is via Whatsapp.
On special occasions like this we make long video calls that extend until the cell phone batteries run out, we take the opportunity to talk about everything, how her things are going and how mine are going.
It is inevitable that I ask her about the cases she deals with in her psychology office, it is very interesting for me to know what are the most frequent problems that people have in a culture different from mine.
This time my daughter told me about something that I found quite surprising. She told me that a good part of her patients, young and old, suffered from boredom, no activity was pleasant for them. This made them feel quite discouraged and it was difficult to get them out of depressive states.
I listened to her and thought that perhaps many of my neighbors, my age or a little older, would also feel this boredom. Every time I go for a walk I see them sitting in front of their houses, doing nothing, watching the time go by, not looking to make conversation with those passing by. Nothing at all. And it's not that they can't move or that they are unable to walk. It simply does not provoke them. Seeing them sitting there is something that makes me very sad.
Fortunately my wife and I are different. After we retired she, @damarysvibra, hasn't stopped inventing things, she loves to research on the internet, she gets in whenever she can, she likes to read and write in HIVE. Lately she has even formed a biodance group with which she feels quite enthusiastic, that allows her to share with other people and at the same time generates some economic resources. Her day is full of activities, she really has no time for boredom.
I also find it very easy to entertain myself with anything. For me, retirement didn't mean any trauma, quite the contrary, it was the possibility to do more of what I like and what I didn't do so much before due to lack of time.
Since I was young I learned to like music. I can spend many hours listening to music, almost any kind, except reggaeton. I enjoy listening to Led Zeppelin, or Mozart or Bach. Music always renews my mood.
I also like to read and write. Not as much now as a few years ago because my eyes bother me a bit. But I organize myself quite well, dedicating some time to reading what I like, and writing my publications for HIVE, which also excites me a lot.
Apart from that I love to take long walks around the neighborhood, and every once in a while I take the time to climb some of the hills that I have nearby.
With that daily schedule of activities it is almost impossible for boredom to knock on my door.
I often think that school education could do more if it spent time talking about these issues, not only with the children but also with the parents. If we learn from childhood to enjoy some hobby, to cultivate music, sports or some artistic activity, it is likely that boredom would stay away from people's lives.
In a world like ours where we live in constant uncertainty, cultivating some passion can become a real lifeline.
Thank you for your time.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version).
Logo creado por @themanualbot
