Screentime Downtime

To nurture my mental health, I've been reviving hobbies that I love.

Reading, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles.

I dove deep into the puzzles, thriving on how they add no new data that my brain needs to process. 

Reading adds a story that makes my brain contemplate what might happen next, try to solve a mystery, or wondering what I'd do if I was in the protagonist's place.

I crochet while watching TV. Always. Creating something useful almost justifies sitting in front of the boob tube. Televison provides a LOT of brain input.

But puzzles! Puzzles input nothing! They do the opposite, in fact. It's a quiet activity that allows my brain to process all the data it has collected throughout the day, mull it over, solve some things, and discard other things. 

Washing dishes by hand does the same thing. Man, I solve world problems with my hands on hot soapy water.

Taking a solitary walk without earbuds is also good for clearing the brain.

But dishes and walking are chores, not hobbies that I love.

Time spent with a good jigsaw puzzle goes fast. I forget to eat and take bathroom breaks.

Brain clears out so well, it doesn't talk to me when I settle into bed leaving me alone with my thoughts... hecause I've already worked out so many issues over the puzzle.

Last night, I considered the book I wanted to finish, the crochet projects I wanted to start, and the puzzle spread out on the kitchen table.

Oo, decisions, delicious decisions!

I ended up scrolling Facebook with the TV on for several hours. Of course 🤷‍♀️