Carole asked us to create a list of ten things to do in a waiting room. Here’s the thing: sometimes it’s no big deal, hanging out in a waiting room. Sometimes, though, it is a really big, nerve wracking deal.
1. Read. I always have a book on me, even if it’s on my phone. If I anticipate being anxious in the waiting room, I bring a super engrossing book.
2. Knit. Duh.
3. Crochet. This is easier for me to pick up and put down, and if I’m working on something with motifs, it’s extra-portable, too.
4. Write letters. I’m a fan of hand written letters. All too often I fill my days with other activities, though, and miss the opportunity to write a letter, fold it, put it in an envelope and make a pal smile when she opens her mailbox. Writing a letter takes my mind off worries, and it makes me happier.
5. Work. During the semester, I’ll often bring papers to grade or a novel I’m editing for a client.
6. Sketch. I haven’t done this yet, but waiting rooms offer a perfect opportunity to practice sketching faces. I’m taking a few online sketching classes, and I’m inspired to use waiting room time this way.
7. Mind map. Even though I have apps for that, I prefer good old pen and paper (I’m noticing a theme). Whatever problem in my creative or teaching work needs a solution, well, waiting room time is a good time to explore it.
8. Practice breathing. If I’m waiting to go in to something that scares me (MRIs shake me up for days ahead of time), inhaling deeply, feeling my breath circle around inside my body, and exhaling while I pretend I’m an ocean wave helps. Of course, this might freak out your fellows in the waiting room. But isn’t it better to be relaxed?
9. Edit pictures. I don’t have any fancy editing programs on my computer, so if I’m going to edit, a lot of times, I’ll use an app on my iPad or iPhone. This has double benefit–I’m using time productively, and I get to smile when I see the things I enjoy in pictures.
10. Day dream. Why not embrace the inability to be any where else and day dream? I like to imagine what ifs–what if I moved back to New Mexico? What if we sold our house and drove cross country in an RV? What if we move to Maine? What if I change careers? What if we build our addition? What if I rearrange my studio?
I’m heading to the doctor today to get checked out; I arrived from Paris with some kind of lingering ick. My plan is to bring crochet, a book, and my sketchbook, just in case I have a long wait.
What do you like to do to amuse yourself in a waiting room?
Excellent suggestions – especially the sketching and writing stuff. I hope you don’t have a long wait today and I hope everything is A-OK very soon!
Super quick wait for me today! Hoping the Rx I got will knock the rest of this ick out of me!
Here’s to a quick and easy diagnosis today!
Thanks! I’m hopeful I’ll be feeling like myself by the end of the week!
Daydream, now that’s a good one, or plan a virtual vacation, Pinterest would be great for that!
Pinterest is a nice place to visualize those day dreams!!
I like to knit and crochet, too, and since I don’t own a smart phone, I do things like list making old school. Hope you get an answer for what ills you. So hard to not know what’s going on…
What a creative prompt.
I,too, enjoy writing and receiving handwritten letters. I usually read a book in a waiting room. My book selection depends upon the why of my visit.
Wonderful suggestions, all! Hope your appointment gets to the bottom of things . . . without too long a wait!