Things To Do In A Rural Place.. Very Small and Vast Emptiness?

Question

We have moved to a place like mars.. dont get me wrong its beautiful and it grows on you..but its so cold here all you want to do is to just stay in bed and not move.Its very high here and over 9000ft and well to tell you the truth just got the winter blues.. and just kind of lost.We are used to living in a metro and the town here is just good for supplies.We dont want to drive forever to go somewhere.We both arent really in good shape to be out in the snow ..which there is much of here.We are retired and are both artist and do things but well some days its just blah here.I don't want to feel that way here because its a nice place to be but just don't know what to do to entertain ourselves..Its gotten to where everyday is about like the day before and we look outside hoping for the snow to be gone but its still here.Last time I saw the ground it was before dec..but anyway anything would be great as an idea..If you are in a rural place and have had the same issues please write here..tx.

Answer 1

poetry writing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, quilting, reading books, learning to draw (art) or painting, experiment cooking new dishes, clean, do laundry, get a pet, feed pets, pet pets, sit on a porch swing and drink lemonade,gardening, do yahoo answers on computer, email friends, call friends,paint the house a different color with stencil designs in rooms, sewing new projects, learn to reupholster, make pizza from scratch, plant a mulberry tree and make mulberry pies, take a nap, watch tv, read the scandal mags and other mags, chop on a stump (if you have one), learn wood working or carving, try to help kids do their homework in math, etc on yahoo answers to challenge yourself mentally, do crosswords, play board games, join a church or a club, cook something for someone who lives in your area and is either ill or greiving or depressed or poor and needs help...yeah, lots of us got the winter blues in the city too....

Answer 2

Sounds to me like you're not just bored, but lonesome. I've been retired for 4 years (I'm 56) and get the occassional bored day or two, but not for long.

Where/what are the social centers? What do you like to do? Where did you move FROM and what was there to do there? WHO do you miss? Invite them to visit. Movies, plays, music, church, senior center.

Have friends over, potluck style, and switch around whose house. A part time job. I started a new part time career as an armorer for a police department. Volunteer for the local city or school. Start an internet business (like on E-Bay. Those people will buy anything).

Can you afford a winter getaway? Lots of retirees have motorhomes and are "snowbirds" leaving the snow most of the winter and go someplace warmer with a group of other motorhome showbirds.

Is that enough? I'd write more but I've got to finish putting my sailboat back together so I can start working on my restoration car project (a '66 VW convertible).

GO MAN GO!!!!! Don't look back, they're gaining on you!

Oh yeah. Do you like to travel? Google "courier" and find places that want couriers to accompany their "stuff". Some places even pay 100% of your airfare. Once you get, wherever, you can stay in hostels for less than $5 a day.

OK, now I REALLy have to go.

Answer 3

I've lived in very large cities & rural area too. You mentioned that you're both retired & not in very good shape, I doubt that unless either of you have a specific health problem you wish to remain out of shape. One idea would be to get a pet dog that requires at least some outdoor activites like going for walks, not only would it be good exercise for both of you but they're not called mans best friend for nothing. It's amazing how little things like this can wash away some of the blues you describe & takes your thoughts off of yourselves & focus on something positive you can both share in.

Studies have shown that having a dog can have a very positive effect on some people.

Bottom line is to find something that gets both of you outdoors in the fresh air (yes I know it can be cold) & gradually spend more time being active which will help to beat the blues, improve your conditioning etc.

Hope this helps!

Best Wishes

Answer 4

Well friend, all I can tell you is what we do in your position.

I love to cook, can, freeze, first thing in the morning on a cold day, I put up a pot of soup so the smell makes the house feel comfy and sometimes bake cookies for the same reason.

If you have a fire place, light it, sit in front of it with a good book, game, puzzle to do together.

Write a list of places you want to go when the weather is better,, wish list.

I draw plans of the house and ways to fix it up, then throw the drawings out.

Online research.

Organize picture albums out of you pics laying around, it is a great hobbie and gets you both involved as you go through them and say, hey, remember this one?

Lots of luck, hope I have helped.

Answer 5

I am originally from a town of 2000 people in south-eastern Kentucky, so I can relate to the isolation feeling. To get the obvious response out of the way, you can drink heavily. Unfortunately that is realistically what a lot of people in sensory deprivation areas of our country do. Now, as to activities that are not quite as self-destructive. Write the Great American Novel, or failing that, at least write. Nowadays that writing can take many forms. I notice you post quite a bit on this group. I used to post lots of stuff on usenet, but the system I have now makes this hard to access. I think your other post about keeping exotic animals is also a good idea, it forces you outside to take care of them and keeps you active. Build a viewing room on your house that you might be able to use to observe these animals and perhaps take pictures of them. Develop an interest in indoors horticulture and experiment with hydroponics. Grow orchids, get some exotic indoors pets - my daughter just bought a pair of ferrets, not my cup-o-tea, but it could be fun. Study gormet cooking and try and work off the weight you gained in your indoor gym, or develop outside exercize activities such as skiing or snowmobilling. My best wishes to you for gaining activities.

Answer 6

you never stated where you moved to? i live in the hills but i always find something to keep my self busy.if you feel that strongly about where you live,why did you move their? i guess I'm sorta of a gypsy sort,because if i get bored with a place i just find some where i like better.if you like computers their are live chat rooms to talk to other people and games you can play with others as well.i enjoy walking ,and feeding the wild life in the area. i do a little bird watching and also my hubby and i have got into a lively card game before bed.i hope things work out better for you.use your imagination and let it take you to doing some different and adventurous places.good luck.

Answer 7

I would move to a place that more reflects my life style.

Answer 8

XXX!