Being sixty-one and single can be a battle of loneliness and boredom. My remedy is to wake up with more things to do than I have time to do them.
As busy as one’s schedule may be, there will be down times, especially for those of us who limit social activities. Homebodies, such as myself don’t go to the mall every day, nor visit friends regularly. Projects eventually are completed and in between one project and the next is what I consider “down time”. Many people get on social media during these breaks in activities.
Social media is not a friend, it can facilitate a person focusing more on a problem and not a solution. I don’t know what younger people talk about on their social media platforms but my FBFs (Facebook friends) share quite a bit and this can be a good thing. It is good to have someone to pray for you and with you when going through a trial. It is not good to spend lots of time complaining about the government. As a believer in Scripture I focus on what is good, with an awareness of all the struggles going on in the world. Social media can create more struggles if a person is not careful.
Reading is a great way to occupy the minutes and hours of nothing to do.
As a writer and a YOuTuber I can tell you- READING IS A DYING ART! As a society we went from reading the newspaper and magazines to watching the news on television; we went from watching the news on television to watching cable news. With the advent of cable news we began to appreciate the “sound-bite”. Reading biographies, historical books, even the Constitution of the United States of America are habits we should all return to. It goes without saying that we should read our Bibles often; not just read your Bible, study it! Reading is a better activity than writing on Social media.
Calling older family members is another activity that can be done. Many of us have older family members living alone or in elder care facilities, a weekly call from a family member gives them something to fight their aloneness. Remember: like you they have a routine so be aware of the time you are calling. The key to talking to our elders is listening, they have great memories that should not die with them.
Down time is the best time to do that one chore on your: “I’ll get to it” list. Cleaning a closet, donating clothes or furniture, organizing a room (like your storage area!), or fixing something that you don’t want to get rid of but is not working- all of these things can be done during those down times.
What do you do when it is just you and your shadow all alone at home?(LOL! Do you remember Dick Van Dyke singing that song?) You don’t have to have a pity party. Do not allow sadness, sorrow, regrets and even depression to creep into your soul. As a Christian who believes Scripture I get over myself by praising my Creator. Yes, me and my shadow get over myself by praising Jesus- it works.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Winter is approaching (I am writing this October 2021) the need to have things to do is increasing because there will be less socialization for many because of the weather. In addition to all the other things I do, I am planning to: paint the walls of my home; make curtains; hang pictures, which will include making or buying frames; and read at least one of the books I have purchased that I never got around to reading. (My granddaughter reminded me that I started reading one book when she was in middle school! She is in her senior year of high school. OH MY!)
To get me started I have started on a few sewing projects: a quilt, a tote, and I am planning to make at least one outfit and November 1 is the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, a.k.a. NaNoWriMo. I am also working on two Bible study series for YouTub: Sunday Talk and Sister Talk, Sister Talk will have a corresponding blog “Dear Sisters”. But the number one thing I plan on doing during the winter months is exercise!
Weight gain is a major problem for many people during the winter months. If you are going to eat it work it off! There are many exercise videos on YouTube that a person can do from the comfort of their own home. I am not ashamed to admit that the exercises for seniors that I watch are a bit challenging. Yes, I am that out of shape!
Pets are important to many individuals, even fish can keep you company, I don’t have a pet. I confess, I am on Facebook Dating, on line dating is like speed dating without eye contact. The struggle is real! I have been rejected because: my credit score was not good enough, I voted for Trump, I did not get the vaccine, and I knew more of the Bible than the man I was talking to. On line dating is progressive, I have learned what questions to ask and when to give someone my cell phone number. (The good thing about a cell phone is you can block the number.) I admit, on some days I go on the app just to while away time, I don’t expect the matches to actually turn into a friendship. FB dating is a way to interact with others even if you don’t become friends- just be respectful.
Written by Marsha L Floyd