# How do you pass the time if you are not working and are alone? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 18, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778 "2018-03-18T15:17:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/21 "2018-03-18T20:11:31Z")
Drink beer with my dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/22 "2018-03-18T20:16:04Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Spruce up your living quarters: toss old books, clean off that kitchen counter, re-arrange the furniture; I’ll bet you have a hundred little repairs that need doing because, Land O’Goshen, I’ve got _200_ waiting for my attention. Do you know how good you feel when you polish off a huge mess of chores in one swell foop (as opposed to one, big chore)? > [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > -Look around your home and yard. Anything there that you wish were different? Start bit by bit, and chip away at your home projects. You people are gross. My favorite hobby - putting off until some nebulous future time what would be better done today :p. Other than that - on the sedentary side reading/research, computer games, music, wasting time around here and of course the always reliable boob tube( and its myriad cousins ). Less sedentary - nature photography/bird watching/nature stuff in general. Always good to get at least one less sedentary hobby in there. But for goodness sakes only default to being productive when it is the last thing left on your list ;). ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/23 "2018-03-18T20:38:31Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > I’ve had good luck with getting into an exercise routine in your situation; joining a gym to get you out of the house helps, and exercise definitely helps with the bored/lonesome thing. And getting out and going to a gym does a lot more for some than simply getting their blood pumping faster and burning calories. It can be a vibrant social setting where friends are made and good times are had working out (sometimes that just consists of working out the jaws, tongues and lips lol). ---
**Author:** ![InsomniaMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ad7895/32.png) [@InsomniaMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InsomniaMama)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/24 "2018-03-18T20:39:35Z")
I’ve learned to make a to-do list only for that specific day. New one every day. Make it a mix of practical, boring, fun, etc. things. Bake and cook. Read and organize. Pedicure and gardening. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/25 "2018-03-18T20:59:03Z")
Start going to water aerobics at your local rec centre. It’s chock full of women your age and you’ll soon get to know many people. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/26 "2018-03-18T21:02:16Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Start going to water aerobics at your local rec centre. It’s chock full of women your age and you’ll soon get to know many people. +1 very good idea ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/27 "2018-03-18T21:08:38Z")
Reading actual books made from the finest of dead trees. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/28 "2018-03-18T21:27:58Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Reading actual books made from the finest of dead trees. snob 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/29 "2018-03-18T21:28:23Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Start going to water aerobics at your local rec centre. It’s chock full of women your age and you’ll soon get to know many people. Ugh, you mean those people who block three swim lanes so they can bounce around in the 4’ section for an hour and a half? What was wrong with just playing cribbage and sneaking gin into your tea, which bothered no one and took up only a table nobody was using anyway? If you have 182 hours to spare, you can watch the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (about five hours fewer if you skip _The Incredible Hulk_ and 5X through _Iron Man 2_ and _Thor: The Dark World_). If you don’t have that kind of time, watch [a fifteen minute summary](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r6GocDaqTJg) and then just watch _The Avengers_, _Captain America: Winter Soldier_, and _The Guardians of the Galaxy_ films, then fall asleep watching _Thor: Ragnarok_ and wake up completely confused as to why Jeff Goldblum is in drag. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/30 "2018-03-18T21:37:59Z")
Mix champagne with slim fast. That sure passes the time. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/31 "2018-03-18T22:11:14Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Mix champagne with slim fast. That sure passes the time. At first I was thinking of Slim _Jims_, [which apparently](https://www.thekitchn.com/wines-to-pair-with-doughnuts-s-150643) "pairs well with charcuterie, like Sicilian Nero d’Avolas, red blends from France’s Languedoc-Roussillon, and Spanish Monstrells. **"** ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/32 "2018-03-18T23:04:24Z")
I picked up a Rogue lap steel guitar cheap (it’s surprisingly decent for a mere 80 bucks) and when I’m alone I plug it into an amplifier and attempt to maim a few tunes. Thanks to youtube, I can now crank out an almost decent rendition of “Sleepwalk.” Doesn’t even require the build up of any fingertip calluses. And much more fun than doing things that make me sore and sweaty. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/33 "2018-03-18T23:06:09Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Ugh, you mean those people who block three swim lanes so they can bounce around in the 4’ section for an hour and a half? Yes, precisely those people. Did you ever notice what a good fucking time those people always seemed to be having? For some people, the main health advantage of taking part in such an activity is simply getting out and moving and socializing and having fun with people they otherwise wouldn’t ever even meet. Keep in mind, the OP says she’s 61, an age that seems to be about what I would peg most of the ‘wear water-floaters and bounce around vaguely for hours class’ participants. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/34 "2018-03-18T23:16:26Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > … hey, you never know what dreams may come. As long as they are not of the undiscovered country. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/35 "2018-03-18T23:37:21Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > As long as they are not of the undiscovered country. Hey, are you calling out SoaT’s hook? He’s just being human. In fact around here, he’s man of the year. Everyone’s hero, even. Good morning, Vietnam. ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/36 "2018-03-19T00:19:16Z")
Either reading, or Second Life. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/37 "2018-03-19T00:24:04Z")
Help others. Your life will become messy and interesting right away. Best if you can combine this with a spiritual practice of some sort, to deal with the messiness. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/38 "2018-03-19T01:26:20Z")
Tons of good ideas above. One of my favorite all-alone activities is cooking, but for this to work you need a place for all the food to go. Homeless shelters or friends with teenage boys in the household are good options. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/39 "2018-03-19T01:44:15Z")
> [@pohjonen](#): > > I picked up a Rogue lap steel guitar cheap (it’s surprisingly decent for a mere 80 bucks) and when I’m alone I plug it into an amplifier and attempt to maim a few tunes. Thanks to youtube, I can now crank out an almost decent rendition of “Sleepwalk.” Doesn’t even require the build up of any fingertip calluses. And much more fun than doing things that make me sore and sweaty. I just picked up a lap steel myself (an old Harmony). It’s so much fun, I’ve been neglecting the guitar (and mandolin, harmonica, tiple…) ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778/40 "2018-03-19T02:49:23Z")
What about taking an online class on Coursera or edX? I took a few while I was trying to figure out whether to return to school or not. There were people from all over the world on the message boards. It was pretty interesting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-if-you-are-not-working-and-are-alone/810778.md?page=3)