Category: Daily Living
I know some of you work and others go to school, but for the ones in between
situations, what do you do? What is daily life like for you?
Currently, I am not working and classes don't start til Jan 30th. I'm struggling
with this down time and looking for ideas on things to keep me busy.
Thanks
I hear you on this. Being unemployed and not in school does lead to way the hell too much down time.
These are some of what I do, not sure how much would apply to you, or not. My husband and I just joined a gym, so we're trying to get over there most days and work out. We're quite involved in our church, which is a large one. That means that in addition to regular activities in the actual church building, there are a lot of small groups that meet on various days of the week. It's a good way to get out and socialize. I do a lot of reading books, and am starting to get back into writing. Then there's the time actually spent looking for work, filling out job apps, going to interviews if it even gets that far in the process. The down time means I'm actually a lot better at keeping up on housework and laundry than I used to be. But I'll admit, there are also times I will nap in the middle of the day as a result of sheer boredom, which is hell on the sleep schedule. Anyway, that's just me. I'll be interested to see what other answers you get, as I know there are a lot of people in this situation.
My phone rings, like 20 times a day and more if I do not answer it...
Ok so Iwork full time but when I am not working I hang out with my dog, walk around sniffing the grass, she does the sniffing, not me, and watch youtube, Netflix, facebook and phone calls, other random apps and people
I go to the mall and shops to just walk around and drink coffee and pretend like I am busy.
I shop online a lot and check out things and google what products are great and months later finally get around to buying something.
I cook, clean, and sleep.
I have church and its stuff.
some friends I hang out with
and who knows.
I mainly walk around and talk to everybody. I know a lot of people I guess. And yet I live such a lonely life. Ha!
Basically the things in my profile. I'm quite hard of hearing as well as blind so finding work ain't easy and I have no interest in school things. I would go to a gym if there was one near me. The downtime often means I have a pretty fucky sleep cycle.
I live in a great place with a fitness center. A big one. I never use it because I feel weird since it is all windows. I have a tredmeal in my living room...
oh, and weights and a yoga mat. Don't forget my weighted hula hoop.
Honestly, a wife and daughter, full-time work and part time school keep me pretty busy. Otherwise it's video games, reading, writing, learning music and singing, audio music composition, audio theatre production and occasionally binge watching a show on Netflix.
Wow! I'd love to get involved in producing audio theater. How does one get involved with that? I'd really have to get off my ass and figure out how to record and edit things on my Mac but I'd like to do that anyway. Anyone want to teach me? lol
Remy and Sunshine, I'm very interested in doing that, too. I love OTR and the current-day dramas from the BBC, and think it would be awesome to try my hand at creating something. I wonder if we might collaborate on a project, perhaps? Anyway, the hold up for me has been that I need to learn how to edit in Audacity, unless someone has a better suggestion. Once I know I have the hang of how to splice in sound effects and such, I will invest in libraries of these things, and start to find people who may enjoy acting in an audio drama. The Audacity manual has me stumped, though, and I don't know where to begin to find an up to date tutorial!
Most of the audios I have come across, new ones, I mean, seem to be sci-fi. I'd rather do something else, as that's not really my cup of tea.
Oh... there was a topic here. LOL Hmm, down time is not a problem for me. Can't have too much of it, although occasionally I do wish I had some paying work to do, and something useful to occupy the time, aside from keeping the house. I read. A lot. And read some more. And then I spend far too much time reading book reviews and finding yet more obscure books to read next. LOL Go out and have a pot of tea, when it's not raining. Bask in the limited northwest sunshine. I play with the puppy, and soon I will have babies, so plenty to fill the day. I still need to do something creative, so writing, or the audio thing mentioned above will be crucial, for maintaining my sanity, I think. *smile*
Yeah, Girl, free time is about to be a thing of your long distant past. *smile*
Goldwave was a good audio editing program I used back in the day. You might give that one a try.
I've gone all Mac so would have to learn Garage Band, I suppose.
I use mp3 direct cut these days. It's invaluable. Comes in handy when there's a crummy intro on a song that you usually skip anyway.
I'm pretty busy with school, but when I'm not.
I hang out with friends, go shopping, out to eat, for drinks.
Watch movies, sometimes at home, other times with friends.
Read.
I blog, for my own website and external sites too.
Walk my dog.
Sometimes go swimming or to the gym.
I try and go to events that interest me, particularly ones based around disability, abuse and sexual violence, languages. It sounds random but they all relate to different things I'm involved with and are good for networking.
I also sometimes try and take a trip just for fun, for example to London to see a show, just because I can lol.
wow Remy your days sound a lot like mine (minus the wife and daughter, but I'm working on that). anyway... Producing audio theater does sound dope. I have a bit of experience in this kind of thing, I'm proficient with all types of software. I might be able to show someone a thing or two if that's something anyone's interested in. Oh and if this ever makes it past kicking the can idea faze, I want in. This would be a great way to flex my creative muscle in a way I never have before.
Now that I've retired from work, I spend my time walking, swimming, and playing lots of music. I play several instruments and sing, and I am now in the process of doing multi-track music recording in my home studio.
You da man, Bill.
Blue, Sunshine and Money, it might indeed be interesting to collaborate. I use Reaper to arrange, mix and master. I try to use my own created sounds wherever possible, as long as they sound good. I generally do all the voices for my characters, so it would be nice to collaborate with someone for once. I can also play some rudimentary music, which I have so far used for a scene within a project, and an intro theme.
My music composition skills are much better than my voicing I think, but they would still pass.
Wait, so does anyone know how I can get into doing narrations for stuff? When I did my documentary for school, people told me that I should, and I'm looking for stuff to do in my spare time that might even pay some.
Honestly, everything I do, barring one documentary narration, I do for the fun of it. I can say it's probably helpful to have a soundcloud or youtube account where you can showcase your talents. Then it's just the old cliché of scowering for prospects, who you know, and luck/blessing, depending on your take.
Lately, I have gotten back in to exercising regularly and reading a bit more. Its
nothing groudbreaking but it is helping me stay busy. This month I have made
it a goal to meet with friends for coffee and go for walks on a regular basis.
I'm also looking into getting a dog but that might not happen for a while.
Living in a small apartment by myself is enough to keep me busy when I'm not occupied with schoolwork. Keeping the place clean can really take a lot out of me some days. I am also involved in choir at my church but would like to expand my horizons a bit--do things outside of choir with members of my congregation, but am not entirely sure how to go about doing this. in particular, I'd like to gain some experience with caring for children, as there are many infants and younger children in church, but they're with their parets much of the time. There is a separate crying/playroom for them if they get too restless and disruptive during Mass, but i'm not sure how exactly to assist there, as the parents tend to mind their kids more than other adults. I'll discuss this further with a choir member who has kids in the toddler/pre-schooler age range and see what she suggests.
in addition to choir obligations, I am also taking piano lessons at the local conservatory. I am hoping to expand on this further and incorporate violin lessons into my schedule next semester, but don't want to get too stressed out, if you catch my meaning. I'd also like to gain some more experience in the Montessori classroom, so a trip to the local Montessori school will be happening at some point in the future, too.
I'm all about the books too, though I'm slightly ashamed to say that I mostly read audiobooks these days so that I can multitask. I work out when I can. During the summer, I like to spend as much time outside as possible. I love to shop when I have the money, which isn't often. I also spend a lot of time on politics. I would definitely recommend volunteer work as well. It changed my life and saw me through an incredibly tough time.
I've wanted to try my hand at voiceover work for awhile. I've recorded a couple of small audio manuals for places where I've worked or volunteered, and people tell me that I have a great phone/radio voice. As soon as I have enough downtime, I'd love to do some narration for LibriVox. It's strictly volunteer, but it would be a good way to get my voice out there. The only challenges would be learning recording software (I've only ever messed with Audacity and not much at that), and finding Braille versions of public domain books that haven't already been recorded for the site. But if I can figure all that out, I think I'll have enormous fun with it!
Becky
This's an interesting topic! I'm in between jobs and looking for where to go...
Anyhow, this was really interesting to read! I don't have a husband or kids but I do have a guide dog who I love to walk. I'm staying at my parents for now and they have a pool so I quite enjoy going swimming. I actually am trying to fill my down time as well.
P.S. To anyone that would be interested, I would love to act in an audio drama. I've never done it before, however I have a creative side and would love to try! I also write whenever the muse strikes and I love reading. I watch tv; mostly nature stuff or medical programs.
I volunteer, and am going to start going to groups, to improve my outlook on life. I also read a lot.
I can't afford outside excursions, because, my rent is too high, so, I try not to be depressed. That's that hard part.
In February, I started violin lessons in addition to the piano lessons. Taking one piano lesson this summer and four violin lessons to keep myself busy. My awareness of where my bow is on the string and my tone when I play has developed quite a bit in recent months, according to my teacher, and he has been extremely accommodating regarding how I learn and my disability. Wonder if the dog has something to do with that. lol She loves him, too, and recognizes his name. Her tail starts going a mile a minute when I say it as part of a question, as in asking her if she wants to go see him. It's almost like she's saying, "Where, mommy? are we going now?"
awe how cute and i spend my time volunteering at my local spca in the cattery with the cats and i like to read audio and braille books, listen to the TV, music, described movies and programs and i some times look after my nephew.
I don't have the money to go places but i do go and do things with my family like go for a walk in the forest or go with my sister to walk her puppy whom is cute but also a mischief, smiles.
I do house work like vacuuming, dishes, washing, ect.
Due to medical reasons i some times sleep during the day.
well, school starts in less then 2 weeks but I like to do a lot in my down time. I like watching youtube videos mostly people playing audio games or just stupid shit like that. I also like to hang with my nephews, take care of the puppies, and recently got into baking. I love love love to read too and play a few audio games myself.
Hey Remy, we could colab. although, I have to learn how to use goldwave but it'll be cool to start audio drama. :)
Summer.
I go to as many live music shows as I can have provided I like the band playing.
I read, shop, both on and offline.
Western boots are my thing right now.
I have visitors from time to time, family, or friends.
I work out, but that’s my religion, not what I use to keep busy.
I take walks, go have coffee/beer, or whatever, but not in that order.
Sometimes, I just hang out, and do a bit of work, or voluntary work for people I know that require technical help.
I read some, Zone some.
At night I even sometimes sleep, but this depends.
Laughing.
I forgot. I go to events in my city as well.
Fairs, stuff like that.
It just depends on whats happening to what I'll be doing to keep busy.
that was funny for sure as we all sleep some more than others because i know there are people whom suffer from insomnia or there are other issues that may cause them to have issues with sleep.
I play games on rs games and been taking care of my mum's and sister's cat clayton as they are away and he is quite a funny character, pretty cheeky too, smiles.
I have gone to a concert once which was rather fun and also go to my nephew's performances when i can like i recently saw him take part in a drama and speech competition which he did well in and i enjoyed it as some of the performances were quite entertaining and i love to laugh too, smiles.
I do a lot of that especially at things i do which others may think are silly like my favourite thing when vacuuming is sucking up socks, lol, grins.
I also take a look at things from utube like a program called skippy which we use to watch when we were younger and also funny auditions like there was this one from America's got talent and it was a ventriloquist which was hilarious, smiles.
I've also always been interested in doing audio drama stuff, but never really had a script or people to collaborate with on such a project.
I'm almost never bored, so I can't add much to the main discussion here. If I'm not working or hanging out with friends, I'm probably writing a tech article or doing some sort of contract assignment to keep my financial situation in decent shape. I sometimes head out of town to do stuff as well, we have both the ocean and the mountains here in NC which makes for a nice mix.
Hey Miguel from Nov 2016. Just wanted to let you know that you found some
things to do. You met a couple people. You got your heart broken and then you
got the help you truly needed. Hell, you even started dating again and found a
job. Good for you, buddy.
Is getting once hart broken something to do, or something that does you?
Laughing.
Guess it depends on whether you are the person breaking someone's heart or whether you are the one getting broken. Some people really do make a lifelong habit of doing the breaking. Keeps them really busy and relieves their boredom I suppose.
Then in that case, it was done to, not did.
I really hope people honestly don't get jollies by going about breaking hearts, but so be it I suppose.
well, most time I am at work but when i'm not, my boyfriend keeps me busy lol
the rare time I am alone I sing, write stories in german, read books and hang
out with friends.
Boredom is something I forgot what it feels like since I am in a relationship lol
In my opinion, to be bored for any length of time shows a lack of creativity. No reason to be bored. I write and record music in my home studio, swim or walk, socialize on line, and read. Then of course, there are always chores.
I would be more than bored if my hearing goes completely, I'll go completely crazy.
When I'm on breaks I read a lot and volunteer. I also watch some shows, or catch up with friends.
This is an interesting topic. I have been looking for a job the past 8 or 9 months after graduating college. A lot of job apps are inaccessible. Somehow it is perfectly legal for employers to put on an application regarding whether a person is disabled or not. Not sure how they get away with this, and the latest trend is to require a driver's license when the occupation has nothing that really proves you need one. Just another form of discrimination.
Lately, I have found myself playing a lot of the old Jim Kitchen games, especially the football one. It's pretty fun, though I wish there was more control over certain aspects such as blocking field goals and such. When possible, I attend football games nearby. Love going. It's a fun atmosphere. Would love to walk my dog, but live in a neighborhood with no sidewalks, and transit is super limited. Occasionally, I use Uber to get out of the house. Sometimes I sleep during the day, which really contributes to an uneven sleep schedule. Like right now, lol.
Please do keep me posted on the job thing, cuz it looks to me like there's hardly anything for us deaf blindies. I was gonna go for the hotel laundry type stuff but it's so noisy in those rooms I can't make out what people are saying even with an FM system.
Ah yes, the chores.
Keeping stuff in ship shape takes up some time.
I will. You can find a job, but the hearing impairment definitely complicates things. A lot of people go to different networking events, but you have to be able to hear conversations to really establish meaningful connections. This also proves true if attending job fairs. Interestingly enough, many occupations require some sort of previous experience, which most blind individuals, I would imagine, lack. I mean they do not have this experience on a resume. It used to be that a cover letter could supplement for experience in certain cases, but the implementation of applicant tracking systems has all but made this possibility useless. Every job you apply for, you need a different resume with certain keywords to prevent the screening software from virtually "throwing" your application away. Not very long ago, I read a statistic online that said nearly 75% of applications are screened out, and this is true for the sighted population, too. The disadvantage, of course, with having no vision is you cannot get minimum wage type positions like McDonalds for instance. Sometimes, you have to start somewhere to build experience, but finding an employer who is willing to give you an actual chance is very difficult. This is why I recommend those with disabilities begin their own businesses. You are your own boss, you may still have to deal with discrimination externally, though not internally. You can choose who to hire and fire. Often, businesses come with substantial risks, too. One is taking out a loan from a bank for start up capital, then the business failing, and you having to figure out how to repay the loan. If you never take risks though, you will never get there in life. I understand that vocational rehabilitation counselors roles are not to provide you with a job, but they can certainly advocate for you and alert you to possible connections with employers. Sad to say that it seems that vocational rehabilitation is not at all helpful, and I would like to see the tax money spent on these services go elsewhere. These agencies exist to assist others, and I can guarantee you if a counselor's pay was based on performance, like a sales position, perhaps employment trends among the blind would increase. Good luck.
when I am not in school and on breaks there can be a lot of downtime to some.
I spent most of last summer on the buses and trains. and restaurants. I did a
lot of exploring of LA and orange county, even got mugged! now that is an
experience I tell you!
I do a lot of reading, writing, studying, surfing the internet, so forth. if I am not
out and about. this break I am suppose to be doing schoolwork though,
keyword though suppose to be. hahaha!
daw I would recommend is either garage band apple has made a good one, or
wavepad. I like the latter a lot. I also use audacity to just record and I think the
editing on amadeus is nice. I sometimes use that to record too.
I have all the makings of a nice studio set up occasionally use it to say
something. I thought I may use it more, but I am no talent at that. I am much
more of a writer than speaker and I am too much of an eccentric awkward
introvert being. hahaha!
sound engineering is interesting to me, just don't use it often. I have tried
multiple times. and I don't have enough to say, and I am not musical.