The first step is admitting you have a problem.

Sometimes I think I'm an exercise/gym/endorphin/pain junkie. I went from complete couch potato sloth to training for a marathon with no real 'in between' time. A strict training schedule became the norm, and I now struggle to know what to do with myself when I'm not running, riding, gyming, yogaing, stretching, or tending to blisters.

Days without training of some sort leave me bored. And confused. What do other people do!? How do they pass the time??! What did I do, back in the day?!

When I'm sick, or injured, or simply know I need some time off to rest, I have no idea how to occupy myself. A full-time job is not adequate. Family and friends and boyfriend can only fill so many hours of the day. I don't own a TV, nor do I enjoy it much. Movies are too long. Books I read in several-page-or-chapter bursts before bed. My attention span is too short for any other kind of time-consuming hobby.

So I've started making a list of things to do on days like today (when the weather is horrible, I had to work stupidly long hours and missed the classes I wanted to attend at the gym, I think I'm on the verge of getting sick, and am well overdue for a total rest day). Little things to keep me occupied.


ALTERNATIVES TO FEELIN' THE BUUUURN:

1. Cleaning/home tasks. I have just vacuumed, emptied the garbage, sorted my recycling, cleaned the toilet, scrubbed the shower, and washed the dishes. I'd consider myself a domestic goddess, but I really don't do a very good job.
2. Play stupid games with yourself. This is a good option.
3. Arbitrary organisation. My condiment cupboard is arranged by height of bottle/jar. My shoes are sorted chronologically by date of purchase. The takeaway menus on my fridge are assigned positions according to a 'deliciousness rating index'. I'm thinking of adding in a 'value for money' axis next week.
4. Practice doing handstands on the couch. This is a bit of a cheat. Some would consider it 'exercise'. I'm so unsuccessful at it, however, that it hardly counts.
5. Delete old text messages/emails. It's both amusing (like when you find two-year-old messages from a drunken co-worker saying things like "meetie me podium save me moose guyssss") and satisfying (like when you suddenly have seemingly UNLIMITED SPACE!.......to fill with more of the same bullshit)!
6. Write dumb blog posts. Or, if necessary to facilitate this, start a blog. I'm fairly sure endorphin-withdrawal and mind-numbing boredom were the reason for this little baby's creation (almost positive that can be said for most babies' creations...).
7. Scour grocery stores' catalogues and/or websites for upcoming specials. And plan your week's shopping accordingly. I am a sucker for a bargain, and obsessively check what will be going on sale as soon as the catalogues are released (Woolworths on Mondays! Aldi and Coles on Thursdays!). Tomorrow, I am seriously considering buying a meat smoker.
8. Engage in basic hygiene practices. I'm sure this is something normal people do regularly and without too much thought... But showering, cutting my toenails, washing my hair and shaving my legs tend to get forgotten more often than not. Don't hate - I'm just keepin' it real. Sometimes I even get extra fancy and do things like paint my nails. Then I award myself 'bonus points' for all the hard work it involved.
9. Prank call your mother. And when she finally stops answering her phone, leave voicemail messages of you crying hysterically so she'll feel terrible and call back in a panic. Then hang up on her.
10. Create culinary masterpieces out of whatever leftovers you have on hand. Like tonight's masterpiece - KFC Popcorn Chicken Alfredo Pasta.

Failing all this, I sleep, eat, and do a spot of online shopping. Which is why it's 7:56pm and I'm about to go to bed: bored, full-bellied, and substantially poorer. Life is good.