National Anti-Boredom Month during July encourages us to identify what makes us bored and find ways to combat it!
July was selected, according to the founder Alan Caruba, because after July 4th, there’s not much going on and it’s the hotter part of the summer break from school. That’s no excuse to experience boredom during July, though.
When fending off boredom, it’s important to know what the symptoms are and why we get bored. We often associate being bored with having nothing to do, but that’s not always the case. Many times, we have plenty to do or are even doing it, but the task at hand does not stimulate our minds. It may be repetitive or not challenging enough.
When this happens, we can become irritable, tired, or begin to not care about how well we do a task. We may also seek out stimulation to relieve the boredom. Depending on what we seek, it may be good or bad for us; We can form good habits or bad addictions.
Play – A great approach to beat boredom is to play board games. Get active – Exercise not only stimulates the mind, but it also helps to transform the environment and enhances health. Visit a museum, read a book, or enroll in a class to learn. Clean – Cleaning up a crowded closet, cabinet, or even garage gives you a little sense of satisfaction. Cooking provides us two ways to feel pleased since we can make it in our own kitchens using foods we like. Be creative — Even if you don’t often produce, attempting can help break the cycle of boredom. Volunteer – Sometimes we have to reevaluate why we were bored in the first place after helping someone who needs something more than we do. Visit a friend or neighbor to be sociable. That includes you, kids! cousins, aunts, or uncles
HISTORY
In the late 1980s, Alan Caruba created National Anti-Boredom Month as part of his on-going boredom themed efforts.
Finding creative and healthy ways to beat boredom will improve our everyday lives. Once we’ve identified our causes, approach boredom with a set of positive challenges or stimuli to keep it at bay.
Try these and ideas and more to beat boredom. Share your best approaches by using #AntiBoredomMonth and follow on social media.
February is the year’s quiet paradox—a shortest month that somehow contains multitudes. Sandwiched between the forward momentum of January and the budding promise of March, it carves its own unique space: a 28-day (or sometimes 29-day) interlude of introspection, romance, and unpredictable charm. It’s a month that feels both fleeting and deeply significant, a hushed corridor where winter’s grip is tested by the first, fragile whispers of spring. We are fascinated by February precisely because it defies simple definition, packing a profound punch into its compact frame.
The heartbeat of February is measured in its special days, which range from the deeply sentimental to the whimsically specific. It opens with the lighthearted introspection of Groundhog Day, a folkloric checkpoint in our seasonal journey. The mood then shifts dramatically toward the warmth of Valentine’s Day on the 14th, a global celebration of love in all its forms. Be sure to check out our Valentine’s Gifts, Playlist and Movie recommendations. We also include some Date night ideas you can use for your Valentine’s night. But the month also holds space for more solemn reflection during Black History Month, a dedicated time to honor the struggles, triumphs, and central contributions of Black communities. These observances, side-by-side, create a rich emotional tapestry unique to these four weeks.
On the sports front, February delivers a thrilling one-two punch. In the United States, the month is dominated by the spectacle of the Super Bowl, an event that transcends football to become a cultural holiday of its own, complete with iconic commercials and halftime shows. Shortly after, the world turns its eyes to the grace and grit of the Winter Olympics (when they fall in this month), where athletes conquer ice and snow in a stunning display of human perseverance. The energy of these events provides a vibrant, communal contrast to the month’s often chilly and solitary weather.
And that weather is a character all its own. In the Northern Hemisphere, February is the stubborn, often brutal, climax of winter—a time of “February Freeze” where snow piles high and skies stay steel-gray. Yet, within this, are precious “February Thaws,” teasing glimpses of what’s to come. The light noticeably changes, with days growing longer, offering a silent promise that the deep freeze won’t last forever. This push-and-pull between winter’s last stand and spring’s early stirrings makes every February day a small, quiet drama.
February is divided between two astrological signs. Those born from February 1st to 18th are Aquarius, the visionary Water Bearer, known for being progressive, intellectual, and humanitarian. Those born from February 19th to the 29th are Pisces, the empathetic Fish, characterized by their creativity, intuition, and compassionate nature. This month boasts an array of famous birthdays, including inventors and presidents like Thomas Edison (Feb 11) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12), civil rights icons like Rosa Parks (Feb 4), and renowned artists like Bob Marley (Feb 6) and Nina Simone (Feb 21). It also includes modern figures like actor Jennifer Aniston (Feb 11) and activist Greta Thunberg (Feb 3).
Finally, February claims its own with distinctive birthday symbols. Its flowers are the violet, signifying loyalty and faithfulness, and the primrose, a hopeful symbol of young love. Its birthstone is the striking amethyst, a gem associated with peace, courage, and clarity of mind. These symbols perfectly capture the essence of the month and those born within it: a blend of deep resilience (the enduring violet), heartfelt connection (the delicate primrose), and serene strength (the luminous amethyst). In the end, February fascinates because it is a microcosm of life itself—brief, beautiful, bittersweet, and brimming with unexpected contrasts waiting to be embraced.
On January 23rd we celebrate! National Handwriting Day was started to re-introduce one’s self to a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. According to the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, it is a chance for all to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting.
A handwritten letter, card, or note will still mean more than an email. What do I mean by that? When you get a handwritten note you get a tangible expression of someone’s thoughts and time. While the argument can be made that an email also takes time to write, you very seldom see a packet of old letters preserved in a trunk or attic that date back 20, 50, or even 100 years or more.
One day our handwritten works will become as precious as the hieroglyphs from ancient Egypt. Okay, the hieroglyphs will still be even more rare but you get my point.
Things like calligraphy will influence your handwriting. I like most my age were taught cursive or script. I get the most compliments on my handwriting when I started adding calligraphy elements to it. My handwriting and indeed my signature remains one of a kind, without being a doctor…lol.
HISTORY
National Handwriting Day was established by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977. Their motive is to promote the consumption of pens, pencils and writing paper. January 23rd was chosen as this is the birthday of John Hancock. John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.
National Thesaurus Day, on January 18th, honors Peter Mark Roget, the author of Roget’s Thesaurus, who was born on this day in 1779.
In 1840, Roget retired from a successful career in medicine and spent the rest of his life working on Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases. The work was the result of decades of collecting lists of words and categorizing them, much like a scientist would collect specimens. In Roget’s case, he collected words. He first published his thesaurus in 1852. And it was more than a book of synonyms – it was a complete categorization and organization of each word by meaning.
Since then, poets and writers have used the thesaurus to help make their writing come to life. However, the thesaurus also has its detractors. Some say the thesaurus weakens language and destroys it.
Whether you are looking for a more accurate word or trying to improve your writing, the thesaurus can be your best friend. Expanding your vocabulary increases both written and spoken communication skills, creative writing abilities, and can be helpful in advancing your career.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalThesaurusDay
Use a thesaurus to find the right word for your writing. Play a word game to expand your vocabulary. Explore the bookstore and discover a new (or old) thesaurus to page through. Challenge friends to describe each other with as many words as possible without using the thesaurus. Then see how their descriptions improve when they do. Use #NationalThesaurusDay to post on social media.
January is National Hobby Month, the perfect time of year to pick up a new hobby, or get back into an old one that you haven’t thought about in a while! The great thing about having a hobby is that it can take your mind off the pressure of work or other daily stresses. Sit down and think about what you really love to do. What are you passionate about in life? What sparks your interest the most? What are you curious about? What are your goals? Finding a good hobby and giving yourself time to take part in it on a daily or weekly basis is sure to make you happier, and maybe even healthier.
“It can be coins or sports or politics or horses or music or faith… the saddest people I’ve ever met in life are the ones who don’t care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there’s nothing to make it last.” -Nicholas Sparks, Dear John
Use #NationalHobbyMonth to post on social media. Talk about a new hobby you’ve picked up or better yet, post a photo or video of you doing it to get others inspired to do the same! If you’re having trouble thinking of a hobby to get into, we’ve put together a list of some healthy activities for you to consider.
Get to the gym 5 days a week. Running on a treadmill, lifting weights, or taking workout classes are great hobbies to take up because they are sure to improve your quality of life, both physically and mentally.
Try gardening. It stimulates your mind, involves a little physical activity, and it’s rewarding. Research shows gardening can even help improve your mood almost instantly, can lower your risk of dementia, and relieves stress.
Start cooking at home more often. If you can learn to cook wholesome, nutritious meals for yourself and your family, you’ll save money and have a healthier lifestyle. Cooking can also be therapeutic in itself, and will allow you some alone time to create beautiful dishes!
Take up yoga. No matter your age, gender, or level of physical fitness, yoga will increase your strength and flexibility. It also gives people clarity, peace of mind, and is overall a big stress reliever for anybody.
If you have the time, money, and are willing to add a responsibility to your life… Buy a pet! Animals have been proven to improve mental health for many people. Research shows owning and bonding with a pet decreases the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Volunteer. Being a part of your community and lending a hand without getting paid in return has shown to incredibly improve mental health and give people a sense of fulfillment.
Give reading and/or writing a try. Picking up a good book, journaling, and blogging are all great ways to help clear your mind. They can temporarily take you to another place or time, allow you to express your thoughts freely, and even improve your vocabulary.
Finally… Travel! Take a week or two off work and go experience another culture. Whether you go on a tropical vacation and spend days on the beach, or head to the cold snowy mountains to hit the slopes, traveling helps to shift your perspective, and can even help you discover yourself.
…And if you’re really lucky, you can find what you love to do and turn it into your career. You know what they say. If you make your hobby your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
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