How to entertain yourself while being an invalid

This is a little out of the blue, and I'm not quite done with my convalesence yet, but you might be just starting your surgery/etc, so here goes:

How to entertain yourself when it's difficult to leave your house:

1. Start a blog.  Convince yourself that people are reading it, so you must write something in it everyday.  By a certain time (like 10 am).  That will give you a sense of accomplishment and reason to get up before one in the afternoon.  Otherwise the days become long and aimless (surprisingly so since you're sleeping in the afternoon).

2.  Find some favorite shows.  I've been watching Project Runway -- there's a new episode every week and I honestly look forward to it.

3.  Avoid message boards unless you have a major dilemma.  A lot of the people on message boards have serious complications and they will inevitably scare you to death.  You don't need to be scared like that (bad for the heart) -- continue on in ignorant bliss.

4.  Fiction, fiction, fiction.  Non-fiction is great and all, but if you only to make out to read non-fiction, you won't finish anything.  So far I've read: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke), White Teeth (Zadie Smith), A Heart Breaking Work of Staggering Genuis (David Eggers), The History of Love (Nicole Krauss), and I just started The Red Tent.  All fabulous books.

5.  Don't watch too many sports with super muscled people running around.   The Olympics almost made me throw off my crutches watching all those ridiculously active atheletes.  Remind yourself that the Olympic mogul skier will probably be in your position down the road anyways.  And who really wants their thighs to be as big as Apollo Ono?

6.  Try and make little traditions or appointments.  Again, this helps pass the time and keeps you from feeling like you're stuck in purgatory.  Make a coffee appointment with a friend every Thursday, or go see a movie every Tuesday.

7.  Always be thankful, but don't feel bad about needing/asking for help.  Don't be stubborn.  Don't wear yourself out doing things by yourself that others can help you with.*

Hope that helps someone.

*my bad

Comments

[TC]

The Red Tent is a GOOD book. She wrote something else I liked too, but I can't remember what just now. So, see, someone is reading your site. I'll have to come back and talk to you someday about working in health care policy, which I aspire to do.

[Ruth-Marie Taruvinga]

To Whom It May Concern:
This is a wonderful article. My uncle is nearly paralyzed, from having been hit by three trains. I already purchased a domain name for him and am in the process of creating a blog on his behalf. I think this is a wonderful article. It gives me more direction and there are more 'invalids' in the population than we are aware. I applaud whomever created it and encourage you to do more projects like so. Thank you!