Written by: Eric Peterson, Communications Intern, National Safe Place Network

With how hectic and complex our lives can be on a regular basis, even the basic idea of “free time” can get left behind and covered up as we deal with the various tasks and obligations that take up our waking moments. That said, when we do get time to ourselves, it can sometimes be hard to know what to do with it, and when boredom sets in, it can be hard to free yourself from it.

There are plenty of good ways to deal with the problem of boredom, and this month, we asked your NSPN family: What is your favorite thing to do to alleviate boredom?

Laurie Jackson, President/Chief Executive Officer: “I love to read or cook.”

Tammy Hopper, Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer: “I like to read, write or spend time with Chico Romeo Houdini Hopper when I am bored. Hallmark Channel is a great back-up!”

Mark Wolf, Director of Training and Technical Assistance: “I find yard work and working in the garden both relieves boredom and is therapeutic.  Much of it is just putzing as I like to call it.”

Shauna Brooks, Principal Investigator: “Driving is my biggest source of boredom.  My 1991 Volvo doesn’t have a functional radio, so I’ve had to search elsewhere for entertainment.  I discovered the NPR One app, and now it keeps me company on my daily commute.  My favorites are Embedded, Code Switch, and the NPR Politics Podcast!”

April Carthorn, General Specialist: “Make weird noises with my mouth and make faces.”

Sherry Casey, Operations and Administration Manager: “Visit grandkids or go shopping.”

Susan Harmon, Director of Safe Place National Operations: “Hmmm, I can say I don’t get bored.  If I do get bored I typically will watch TV, play/piddle in the yard, sit on the porch in the summer/by the fire in the winter, and play on Facebook and cellphone game apps.”

Autumn Sandlin, Operations Specialist: “My favorite thing to do to alleviate boredom is to take my dog, Fritz, out and let him run around or call my grandma.”

Eric Tadatada, Technical Assistance Specialist: “I either go to the YMCA to work out or my wife and I will take a walk and work on a puzzle.”

Hillary Ladig, Communications Coordinator: “I listen to music and podcasts, take a walk outside, and watch videos on YouTube.”

Elizabeth Smith Miller, Director of Marketing and Events: “Boredom – what is that? Between working hard to help create a world where all youth are safe, taking care of two senior pugs and a cat, and preparing for three foster kids to arrive, I have no trouble with combating boredom. If I ever did, I’d take a nap.”