Hot tubs and saunas are my favorite way to pass time. Portland literally had a ton of them ranging from $5-85 for an hour of soaking. Mox game bar, wunderland/ground kontrol, go into the gorge and hike, take up knitting? , take a ceramics/ craft class at PCC (they offer a ton of non credit art classes), learn to cook, go to plays, live music, blazers game, craft markets, learn to printmake at the IPRC, join a book club
Knot springs is the most expensive at $79 for a soak.
Kennedy school for $5/hr in a warm pool.
Everett House and Common Ground are $25/hr but usually have to book in advance.
Löyly is I think $50
I’ve never been but Portland tub and tan, Dragon tree, and blue star are also options.
Portland Tub & Tan on SE Stark -- have never had a dingle complaint and we go usually about twice a month, and have been going since before covid. $80/hour which includes two people.
Love Common Ground. My partner and I went during the snow a few weeks back and soaking in a tub while snow falls is hard to beat as far as soaking goes.
Same here. Learning drums on an electric kit (neighbors so it’s through headphones) and the drumless tracks on YouTube are amazing. You can search by genre, band, etc. I’ve been loving it
Hell yeah! How are you likin the drums homie? Don't have a space yet but set up my little gretsch jazz kit in our apt's storage space and muffled all to hell so been quietly workin on chops a lil. Drums always help keep the day lively! Props for the new purchase
Libby also includes audio books. Which (along with podcasts), allow me to pull myself up from the couch-focused activities and make my way outside, rain be damned. eventually the crows start cawing and then I have to pull out the headphones and take a closer listen to the water finding every horizontal surface.
You can also use Libby to get books onto an ereader like a kindle. Since you’re a climber, check out Hang Dog Days. Will get you stoked for Smith season in the spring!
You can apply for a library card online and that will give you immediate access to the Libby App. You have about 4-6 months to get to a library and make it a permanent card.
Agree, if you have the right gear nearly everything outside is available most of the time, except in serious weather. Hiking, biking, skiing/snowboarding, camping, walking, I can't spend nearly every day indoors over the winter or I'd go insane.
This! A good rain jacket and rain pants and you’re set. I recommend Next Adventure for good used gear. You can always retreat it with spray to retain waterproofing
I'm a born and raised Oregonian and always get depressed in the winter. My doctor just put me on 5000ui daily of vitamin d3 w/o blood work. I recommend doing the same.
Happy lamps are hit or miss. Most you'll find are uv free so they can't help a vitamin d defiency. They're more helpful for psychological aspect of the darkness.
Since the pandemic I stopped caring about having perfect interior design and went cozy. I have a lot of string lights in my room now that I turn on after the sun goes down and it's calming for me. If that ain't your vibe, you can buy the SAD lamps pretty cheap on Amazon and put it next to your bed.
you heard of a happy light? you've maybe seen something similar in the back-ish area of fast food areas without noticing (no windows for sunlight). super common in alaska!
you can buy one, but the cheaper way is to just buy a (flourescent? icr) light bulb and random lamp, sit in it for some time each day (while reading/working/drinking coffee...anything)
also i still habitually take vitamin D and omegas even though i left home hella years ago. do you like indoor plants? some greenery could help too. last thing is let as much light in as possible while it's day time. if lots of cold air leaks in, you can get some window insulator sheets from Amazon for like $15
also also a very solid pair of rain boots might help your dislike of rain in winter. if you already have a pair you like, well. not to be rude but i never know why people who dont like rain, move to rainy places 😭
The other day I was trying to figure out what was stopping me from going for a walk - and I realized it was because the rain was getting in my face too much. I got out my proper rain coat with hood and it made the experience much better, except for my pants which were quite soaked - but that's solveable too.
Now, with today's crazy winds it's probably best to stay inside, but on more normal drizzly days, a proper set of rain gear can keep you warm and toasty even when it's nasty outside.
ooh that's a good point, I didn't really consider wet face/neck. I wonder if theres some ~rugged bucket hat~ out there that would help? personally i live in beanies for half the year 😅
speaking of, do you have a good set of rain pant recs?? i usually just wear old jeans and tough it out. in a pinch putting on sweats over jeans *really* does the trick but it's too hot and also just, not always the move haha
I have a couple pairs of lightweight rain pants / "trekking pants" which don't keep the cold out much but dry super fast; I'm going to try wearing those over my jeans, or maybe with some kind of long underwear. I'm still figuring out the weather here after 7 years in CA (I'm originally from Cleveland), and the winter weather I'm used to is more snowy and less drizzly.
I've actually been thinking of maybe getting a rain hat too - a waterproof bucket hat is kinda what I was thinking too.
husband and i both bought shells which are lightweight waterproof layers to wear as outermost layer in cold, wet weather. highly recommend—perfect for this weather.
🤦♀️ why did i never think of shells!! literally for 7 years I've been "well, this is my life now. anyway!!! :)"
it's the kind of, oh this weather sucks, it's life, we get wet sometimes..but once i grab a set i will probably be outside ALL the time :') thank you!
when we moved from alaska (drove down in mid january!) it was -21, and when we got to oregon it was 45. something in my head was like *dont worry about moisture it could be worse* 😭
We both got the Patagonia ones and love them! Highly recommend. Not sure what they’re called. I’m sure cheaper also available, but as far as Patagonia goes they weren’t bad.
Get a cat. They're entertaining for at least an hour a day.
Read books.
Cooking/baking practice. I'm trying to perfect pizza crust.
Painting. I do watercolor (badly) with aforementioned cat every morning. He hangs out and watches and only once has he knocked over the water cup.
Hand-knit a giant blanket (use that big ol yarn)
Rewatch your favorite series (or something new! Love Mike Flanagan stuff like Bly Manor, Midnight Club, Haunting of Hill House. Rob Thomas stuff is a good rewatch too: Veronica Mars, iZombie, Party Down. Or animated! Over the Garden Wall, Summer Camp Island, Bob's Burgers, Bea and Puppy Cat)
Take a class! A few years ago I started taking Udemy courses for fun and now I'm somehow getting an MBA. I have lots of wine credential books you can study if you wanna be a wine expert.
Jaipur, Codenames Duet, Netrunner (though I don't know how to play it/the tutorials are like... 40 friggin' minutes), Morels.
And if we get more players: Splendor, Love Letter, Machi Koro, Bohnanza, Coup and Coup Rebellion,
And more intense (longer) stuff like Cosmic Encounter, Dead of Winter, Robinson Crusoe, Artctic Scavengers, Dominion, Letters from Whitechapel, Cutthroat Caverns, Arkaham Horror (the card game)-- quite a few others, those are just the ones I can see from my desk.
I guiltily admit I prefer the design/aesthetics of Arctic Scavengers over Dominion even though I'm fairly certain Dominion is the exact same game with more variety.
I did once, I don't remember it very well but that's likely 'cause it was years ago. I tend to prefer games with enough of a luck mechanic mixed with strategy that if I (or anyone else) loses we can be like "oh, guess the luck wasn't in it for me that round!" rather than games like Hive or Chess where like... you have all the time in the world to make your move, you're evenly matched, and if you lose you have no one to blame but yourself.
I just tried Seven Wonders Duel and really liked it! Will probably take a few more games to see how well it holds up, but so far seemed like one of the better 2-player games I've tried.
Also have been playing Wingspan a fair amount lately and it's pleasantly chill but with room to screw up and immediately stress out. The Euro expansion adds some great balance without messing with the mechanics, too.
Also I'm fully aware of the potentially uneasy dynamics of being invited to play board games with a white cismale stranger via reddit and would not be surprised/offended in the slightest if you decline the offer.
If you haven't tried board games yet, Guardian Games, Mox Portland, and a few other places tend to have schedules setup where people just come in and play.
I enjoy them because it's a structured social environment; don't have anything in common? can't make small talk? no worries, just take your turn and let the game guide the way.
The great thing about board games is they're often 4 or 5 people to a table, if not more. That way you don't have that awkwardness 1 on 1 activities have.
In the summer I work for Portland Audubon foraging supplies for their wildlife care facility but I don’t have a winter-type volunteer activity I’ve tried yet. I’ve tried getting involved in cannabis industry unionization efforts also which was totally fruitless but that kind of thing does interest me. I suppose I could look into some mutual aid stuff near me too. Do you have recommendations?
The oregon food bank and their community partners always need volunteers, shifts on the volunteer calendar seem to open up 1-2 weeks before the shift.
Their community partners (pantries, distribution, etc) especially need more hands, and they're all over town with plenty of different shifts.
https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer?gclid=CjwKCAiAzKqdBhAnEiwAePEjknYC9bULBGnYamLBlzlNQXLD778G60fwkG-BgWwx2x3PJCwHIFQXhBoCfjcQAvD_BwE
I volunteer at my local library and it's great. Libraries have a ton of small tasks they need help with, and it might help you find some new book or show that interests you.
My mom got trained to volunteer at the wildlife care center taking calls and doing intake and even releasing rehabilitated animals! We’ve released some owls together. Very cool. She got involved through their website. From there, she hooked me up with the foraging gig.
I know it sounds like movies are boring to you but I love the Hollywood theater as they have more interesting programming. I go there once a week.
I also love our public library system. I’m a big reader so I really enjoy going to the library and looking for new books to read. They also have audiobooks which are great for when you’re cleaning the house or doing more mundane things.
I personally enjoy cooking, despite being single I’ll cook something looking for recipes that reheat well. I also enjoy going to “ethnic” (kind of hate that word, but non-mainstream American) stores and just grabbing things that look interesting, sauces, snacks whatever. Low cost and you sometimes discover good stuff.
And lastly Portland parks & rec used to have a variety of classes to take, not sure of the offerings post Covid. PCC also has adult Ed just for fun classes: dance, art, cooking, language. Again not sure of the offerings post Covid but they used to have a variety of stuff.
I got Three Idiots from the library, a film from India, super funny, be sure to check out their central location, the international film selection is tops
They really are. Absolutely love them. And I’m a member so I get a discount on movies and some are free, plus free popcorn. Who doesn’t love free popcorn?
Take vitamin D. I felt like I’d hit a wall a couple of weeks ago and then remembered to take it, and perked right up in 24 hours.
Have you been roller skating at Oaks Park? I just went this afternoon and really recommend it.
Remember there's always a beautiful week in February, I say, "to remind you of how beautiful the upcoming spring is." And for some reason, that week can break up the gloom of winter and the rainy season to come, jUsT enough to remind you (and help forget, lol) all the reasons it's amazing here. We need, "that week" after a NW winter.
Gonna take note of the answers here thanks to you OP!
For me at least, we just moved back recently so still working on meeting our people, but in the meantime trying our best to keep doing what we enjoy: goin to movies, comedy, hikin when possible. Been eating mushrooms and going for long tantric walks - rain or cold be damned! - and it's been really helpful in battling depression/boredom. Got some weights for exercising at home bc I only do it if it's easy/fun for me, and haven't found a gym yet. Best advice is find the intersection of fun and activity that best keeps ya motivated to get out! A non answer for sure but making this post is a great first step that hopefully helps out :)
It sounds like you want to DO something with your Life. And I hate to be that guy, but if you have more than enough weed, have you tried not smoking it for a few weeks (or longer)? I love some good inebriation, but whatever the kind, it can leave daily life feeling kind of blah, and then getting high just gets us to normalish, with deteriorating returns.
Meanwhile, you have a ton of energy, but not sure if there is an outlet you're personally invested in. Maybe that's volunteering, or maybe it's starting your own thing. Personally, I'm aching to go back to school so I can level up my own community organizing. Or maybe I'll finally start that late night coffee shop we all need. Either way, that shit is scary, but you sound a lot younger than me, so trust me, you got nothing to lose.
Whatever it is that's scary or unfamiliar (that does no harm and helps at least you), just do it.
>It sounds like you want to DO something with your Life. And I hate to be that guy, but if you have more than enough weed, have you tried not smoking it for a few weeks (or longer)? I love some good inebriation, but whatever the kind, it can leave daily life feeling kind of blah, and then getting high just gets us to normalish, with deteriorating returns.
TLDR: Blah blah blah
This is something I've noticed, too. Weed is a siren song when I'm feeling blah, but the diminishing returns of consistent use definitely lead to a blah feeling too, since the thing that was supposed to lift me above the blah just becomes a new type of blah.
This and the comment you are replying to is a great description of addiction. When you get the point of using just to feel normal or not even that - less blah, that is addiction.
I think it's just something you have to deal with as a trade off for the summers. This is the climate here.
I'm from Florida and this will be my 9th winter in the PNW and it's taken a long time just to get used to it. I'm not a fan but overall I like the climate up here and the winter doldrums is part of it.
I guess what I'm saying is that you need to find what works for you based on your interests and budget and if you really can't take it I then move to a better climate.
I go walking in the rain, except when the weather is really bad. If you suit up, it's fine, plus a lot of beautiful places are not as crowded as usual. You can do a beach day on the coast, walk through local and regional parks, etc. Hot drinks afterwards taste esp. good.
Also, have you thought about taking a class?
Try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! I picked it up a year ago and can’t stop. It’s like playing chess with your limbs, and the people are always super chill. Plus it’s just a cool, useful skill to have.
Where are you going to learn it? And can someone ridiculously out of shape do it? For various reasons I haven’t exercised in a long time, would like to start moving my body lore. Started going for walks about two months ago but then as the rain came I went less and less, find it hard to get out the door so I think a class at a specific time might be good for me.
Definitely, I was pretty out of shape when I started. You can make it as hard as you want, that’s something I wish I knew at the start. So you can definitely relax and not push yourself too hard in the beginning. I go to Impact Jiu Jitsu. They have several locations but you can’t go wrong with any of them.
I used to not do outdoor stuff in the winter, so I feel your pain. Picking up great indoor hobbies helped my winter depression a ton--my top two would be BDSM and bread baking.
Also cloud inversions are hella common here… go find higher ground and you may be in the sun all day. Alternatively the coast is the best kept winter secret somehow; I’m always surprised how often it actually ends up being sunny and 50 in the winter.
I had to brainwash myself. I have convinced myself that I love the rain, the gray, the dreary, the 6 hours of daylight in the winter….
It took me several years but it’s not working at all
Hiking, snowboarding, skiing, or snowshoeing are my recommendations.
I learned how to snowboard when I was in my 30’s. I had only been sledding one time in my life before that, and had hardly spent anytime in the snow growing up.
I highly recommend taking a lesson at a resort. Cannot stress that enough. It is worth it to learn from the experts in order to build the proper form and the fundamentals.
Do not try to learn from your friends, or family. Biggest mistake people make.. that is what the trainers told me.
Ever since I learned that snow is disappearing more and more in our state due to climate change I decided I was gunna get out and enjoy it before it disappears in the future.
I did not want to look back and regret not taking up more winter activities..
It changed the game for me! I now look forward to this season the most.
Smoke a lot of weed. Go to the gym. What you've described is why people struggle here in the winters. We always plan a winter vacation specifically bc it's awful here. We stay local for summers bc they are incredible here. My advice, get social with people. Game nights/movie nights.
Omg I think I’m a lost cause. I go to the gym like 15 hours a week, I have game nights with my friends twice a week. I’m a budtender and I have more weed than I could ever possibly smoke. I’m still bored. I can’t afford a vacation. I think I’m just gonna turn to stone
I feel like Portland is my issue, not the climate. I enjoy the rain, but I wish there were more indoor options. In Seattle there is so much more to do in these conditions, and the climate is the same. I’d move there if I could afford it.
I think I’m hoping someone will tell me about some cool underground art thing I’ve never heard of or an activity I haven’t considered
I used to live in Seattle. What is there that's not here? Maybe you and I are just into very different things but I'm not sure there is a large difference in the winter offerings.
Portland is a very difficult place to make friends/meet people.
Everyone on reddit will tell you different and will probably downvote this, but it's true. Pandemic didn't help, but the core issue is that people are clicky and a bit cold here.
Moved here from Seattle during the pandemic and two years later I have tons of friends here. It didn't happen without some effort on my part and it started off real slow thanks to COVID. I don't believe in the Seattle Freeze or Portland's equivalent.
Both of our stories are anecdotal of course and really have no bearing on someone else's experience.
Not exactly cool or underground, but I take classes at Multnomah Arts Center. It's a fun way to dabble in an art or craft and meet folks, plus it's through Portland Parks and Rec, so you can get income -based discounts.
Sometimes I take a bus to Cannon Beach for the day, as a cost effective way to break up the monotony. Eat some chowder in a sourdough bowl, check out a few shops, grab some coffee and smoke a joint on the sand. Later, go read a book and have some drinks at Screw and Brew until the bus arrives for the return home. It's a lovely, easy getaway.
Yep, from Union Station. Last time I did it, it was like $40 I think? It's a great little escape. Coasties at the bar are...*intersting*...to talk to lol
Have you considered slowing down? You seem busy as hell tbh. Maybe get a therapist instead of another hobby?
I don't intend this to be mean, honestly... But it doesn't seem like you'll find a satisfactory answer here if you're actually doing all that you say you're doing and you're still "bored".
What do you do in the summer that you cant/ won’t do when it’s wet? Are there a similar indoor activities?
Honestly, you seem to have way more social activities than most people I know… maybe try learning something new to challenge yourself?
Vacations don’t have to be elaborate. Take a weekend road trip. You can usually find some cheap motel in a small town. Just drove and explore. Even if I go on a day trip it refreshes me because every so often I need to go somewhere new.
Tell me you have adhd without telling me. 😂
This whole post has so many great suggestions that I bookmarked it. Just pick one that sounds fun to you and go do that first. Make a list of all the others you want to try too.
Honestly, I just get out of town. I work remotely so I'll go to San Diego for a couple weeks and hang out every 2-3 months.
It used to not bother me, but after 11 years I have a hard time staying motivated during the winter.
Yes it was one of my main studies in art school! Unfortunately the kind of ceramics I’m interested in is pretty inaccessible to me right now. I love atmospheric firings and it’s not cheap or easy to come by. I should work on checking if there are more resources available now since last time I was looking. :)
HIGHLY recommend ceramics to anybody who has access to it and want to try! Folks should check out radius on Belmont and the mud room!!!
I get it. Atmospheric firing is very cool. I hope to do some pit firing next year down in Arizona. I hope you find some fun stuff to get you through the dark and rainies.
thanks for the post and all of the wonderful ideas. moved here in august and feeling very lazy, sleepy this winter and think all of these suggestions would give me some new energy and purpose. thanks to all!
I feel you. I grew up in this climate and am not a rain (or outdoorsy) person. Hell I grew up on the coast and don't even care much about the beach.
Portland does lack indoor social activities compared to even my tiny hometown, especially post lockdown. This is doubly true if you don't drink or can't afford concerts or ball games (which sounds like you cant.) Also sounds like you stay physically active and are particularly looking for more social or intellectually based activities...
I agree that finding a winter season volunteer opportunity might be a place to go next. I keep hearing online and off that animal shelters really need volunteers right now. Get to see cute animals and socialize with other staff! That's the first thing off the top of my head.
Have you tried meet-up? (The website) lots more in person events popping up again. I'm mostly in writing and crafty ones. Some meet in taverns and the like but you aren't expected to drink alcohol. Same for the larger age based socials. It's more about it being a convenient place to accommodate a large group of talking people. Anyway, the site is free to use as a regular attendee and is pretty active in portland compared to other bigger cities. It's how I met most of my social network as a sole proprietor haha.
Pre-pandemic, dinner parties were my go-to. Now, I have scaled it way back to weekly dinners with one or two friends, a Discord chat group for all of us, and a lot of walks. And video games.
Rock climbing gym, find new indoor hobbies (grow mushrooms? lol or I'm sure you can Google up a bunch of suggestions) or creative outlets (write, compose, draw, etc.), start a business but only something you enjoy doing, learn new recipes (cook every recipe in a cookbook?) or take classes at Cookshop.
This seems like a perfect opportunity to get obsessed with board games.
There’s also meetup groups for tons of things. Just join up anything that sounds interesting.
And of course I’ll always recommend dodgeball. It’s fun on a bun and a very welcoming community. Plus a great workout!
It'll cost money, but if you're looking for more physical activity, maybe look into Underdog leagues? They can be good places to make friends too, but usually have indoor stuff like volleyball, indoor soccer, etc. Pickleball's also booming now and there's a few indoor courts around town.
Or try to take up something creative/crafty? You can get a basic woodcarving kit for like $50 or less online, make spoons or little statues or whatever. Drawing, painting, pottery, etc. There's classes around.
You could always get a bit of gear and try more cold-weather stuff too. Usually in the winter when it's raining here, it's snowing on Hood. Skiing or snowboarding, or at much less cost snowshoeing are good options. You warm up quickly once you get going, plus it's pretty.
Honestly when I start feeling like this I have to recognize that the winter blahs are getting to me. Time to break out the vit D and the SAD lamp. Not all lamps are created equal. You can’t just buy a bulb on the ‘zon and call it a night. You need to find a lamp recommended by experts.
But really, forcing myself to get outside despite the shit weather does wonders. Even when it sounds awful. I bought a horse this year and it has forced me to go out during the ice storm, the wind, the rain, every day, whether I feel like it or not.
I’m not suggesting you take up a hobby that will drain your bank account and make you question your sanity, but forcing yourself to get outside? Do it.
This is the first year since moving here years ago where I don’t just feel like I’m counting down the days until spring. Where it doesn’t feel like a slog making it through each dreary day.
I know you said you didn’t want to hear it, but… get outside.
I know you said you don't like outdoorsy stuff this time of year, and I get it. But once I got the right gear to keep me dry, I found I love hiking in the winter; you can hit all the popular trails in the Gorge without seeing many people and you can see the waterfalls at their mightiest. It's spectacular!
edit: if you need a hiking buddy, hit me up, I live in the Gorge and don't take advantage of it often enough.
You listed a pretty decent amount of things that you do already and by your own words you’re still going to snap. But also sounds like this is not an issue for you in the summer because you can be outside.
Are you someone that hates being home inside?…I have some friends that can’t stop moving and they’re never home. They could totally rent a 300 sq ft closet in NYC and never be there but to sleep. I would go crazy because I spend a lot of time at home and like to nest in my space. Everyone is different. I don’t know…not saying this at all to be condescending, but if you’re one of those people who hates being home and prefers to always be out, but are deterred by cold/rain, maybe one of the rainiest cities in America with an actual winter to boot isn’t the place for you…? People do move and choose where to live based on climate and geography rather commonly (when financial variables permit).
I love getting cozy inside, but I need an excuse so winter is great for me. And with this extreme weather recently, it’s been paradise for me. I love the feeling of taking shelter from something. But at the same time, I can’t get cozy inside on a nice sunny day and that’s when I feel restless. I would go crazy in Arizona or Florida because I would feel like I need to keep moving and get out, but I don’t want to keep moving and getting out. Not sure if that makes sense, but I basically love to chill but need the right circumstances to give myself permission to do it. It’s possible that you need to give yourself more permission to chill. We all do have subconscious things from childhood or whatever, like if your parents were busy bodies or made you feel you need to always have something to do and weren’t permitted to just lounge around.
If you really are just bored…more/new hobbies. Instrument. Consider a dog, if you don’t have one. A dog will keep you plenty busy and outside more and the dog parks are actually pretty social, even on cold and rainy days. And many of my best memories here in Portland are standing in parks at dusk in the summer talking with people while the dogs romp.
Plan some vacation time for winter. Took an extended trip to tropical countries January into February a few years ago and it really broke up the winter quite nicely. Even weekend trips to Bend, it may not be warm, but it’s usually sunny there and pleasant enough to be out and about if it’s the rain/gloom that you don’t like.
Have you tried meditation? The world within is more infinitive than the world without. You can explore forever and never be close to finished 😉
Portland has a really vibrant underground house and techno scene. I have to put my foot down to take a weekend night off, or only go to one party on a given night. Even and especially in winter.
I'm using the term a little loosely to include not-underground parties that play underground music or book DJs along those lines. Venues/parties include Occasion Vibration, No Requests, WERM, Believe You Me, etc. All of these announce parties on Instagram and have pages that should be simple to find. There are more truly underground-y parties but I wouldn't want to advertise them to someone I don't know personally and blow up the spot. But starting with the above you could probably find your way into one pretty quickly.
Seriously?!? I took a job in Antigo, WI this year and you think you have nothing to do? You aren’t even at the first level of boredom. I only wish I had your level of winter boredom. LOL
Ya know, I’m trying not to take a lot of the rude exclusionary comments personally but I think people could really use some perspective. Not just on me personally but on why some people move here from warmer climates.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic but regardless people need to open their minds.
I was born in Portland but I grew up around LA so that’s the climate I’m used to, although I didn’t like that climate at all. I always preferred when LA was cloudy. I really do like the rain (but it’s a mixed bag). In fact, I moved here because I nearly died in an explosive & historic wildfire in Northern California while I was in college and it burned my house down along with about 800+ structures and many people died. I almost didn’t escape.
I couldn’t financially or emotionally afford to really go in any direction except north.
The cool weather up here & EMDR trauma therapy was a huge necessary help. I finished college here and am in training to get into my field of interest but it takes time. I am still finding ways to adapt to a climate I didn’t grow up in.
I wish some people here would have more empathy and recognize their gatekeeping mentalities as dangerous extensions of Oregon’s deeply racist/classist historical nature. There’s a lot of understanding and welcoming folks in this thread who I want to acknowledge but there’s a handful of people who gave the exact kind of reaction I was expecting to get from this post and I wonder if they might consider ….not being like that.
Just be happy you don't live in Buffalo NY! Every day I go outside and walk and look at the great big trees, the ferns, the glimpses occasionally of Mt Hood or St Helens. Oh ya, chocolate and light therapy 15 minutes every day helps.
I move to a place where I don't have to hear neo-oregonians complain about their priviledged seasonal issue that reoccurs, ya know.. Annually. Instead I move to a place where I can hear neo-somethings complain about the things they dislike about the place they moved to so I can hear something new, it's quite refreshing.
Hot tubs and saunas are my favorite way to pass time. Portland literally had a ton of them ranging from $5-85 for an hour of soaking. Mox game bar, wunderland/ground kontrol, go into the gorge and hike, take up knitting? , take a ceramics/ craft class at PCC (they offer a ton of non credit art classes), learn to cook, go to plays, live music, blazers game, craft markets, learn to printmake at the IPRC, join a book club
Can you recommend a hot tub place? I only know if one that is $150+ a day for a spa.
Knot springs is the most expensive at $79 for a soak. Kennedy school for $5/hr in a warm pool. Everett House and Common Ground are $25/hr but usually have to book in advance. Löyly is I think $50 I’ve never been but Portland tub and tan, Dragon tree, and blue star are also options.
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Oh, heck yeah (CG, I mean). I really only go when I think it’ll rain.
Sitting in the soaking pool in the rain feels awesome. I just got back from CG!
So so jealous. I’m in a meeting.
That sounds awesome and I'm going to immediately book, thanks for the rec
was just there an hour ago, can confirm it's open :) edit: KS
Yeah, Kennedy School is also open year round. I echo - even better in the rain.
I too was at common ground today, tubbing in the rain is the best because the tub water continues to feel warm.
Knot springs is in its off-peak season so it’s $59
It is not a “season, it’s HOURS. Monday-Thursday during the day is $59, 5pm or later or Friday-Sunday are peak hours at $79.
Thanks for the clarification, kinda unpleasant, but OK
Check out Swimply they are like the airbnb for pools and hot tubs. I rent one monthly with my friend. Heated pools are amazing this time of year
EPCC has a hot. Tub
Portland Tub & Tan on SE Stark -- have never had a dingle complaint and we go usually about twice a month, and have been going since before covid. $80/hour which includes two people.
I LITERALLY got home from a 90 minute soak and sauna at Common Ground and highly recommend it.
Love Common Ground. My partner and I went during the snow a few weeks back and soaking in a tub while snow falls is hard to beat as far as soaking goes.
Loyly is a great place with sauna and steam room depending on the location. $30 for 2 hours.
Which would you choose between Everett house and common ground?
I'm not op, but your PCC recommendation is amazing! I think I'm gonna sign up!!!
any recs on book clubs? doesn’t seem like anything active on goodreads app
I bought drums and downloaded Blender. Going for it.
Learn geometry nodes. They are incredibly powerful and a lot of fun
Blender seems like a huge amount of knowledge intake. Will slowly chip away at YouTube vids.
What other drum resources you using to start out? I’m I’m the same boat
YouTube until I get comfortable enough to take lessons.
Same here. Learning drums on an electric kit (neighbors so it’s through headphones) and the drumless tracks on YouTube are amazing. You can search by genre, band, etc. I’ve been loving it
Oooo that sounds interesting
Hell yeah! How are you likin the drums homie? Don't have a space yet but set up my little gretsch jazz kit in our apt's storage space and muffled all to hell so been quietly workin on chops a lil. Drums always help keep the day lively! Props for the new purchase
Read books?
I forgot about books lol
[удалено]
WOW thank u omg I didn’t know about this!
The libraries also have a "library of things". You can check out appliances, power tools, different things used for hobbies. It's worth looking at!
Libby also includes audio books. Which (along with podcasts), allow me to pull myself up from the couch-focused activities and make my way outside, rain be damned. eventually the crows start cawing and then I have to pull out the headphones and take a closer listen to the water finding every horizontal surface.
You can also send your Libby app books straight to a kindle (through Amazon). It’s pretty great
You can also use Libby to get books onto an ereader like a kindle. Since you’re a climber, check out Hang Dog Days. Will get you stoked for Smith season in the spring!
You can apply for a library card online and that will give you immediate access to the Libby App. You have about 4-6 months to get to a library and make it a permanent card.
The Libby app fucking rocks 🤘🏻
You can also get it sent to Kindle if you have one! Audio books are also great on Libby.
McMenamin’s on NE Broadway has huge windows you can sit by while you read.
Great suggestion! What have you been reading lately?
Invest in wet weather clothes and keep going outside! It's so fresh and lush and wet in the winters!
2nd this, Portland winters are tame compared to many places. Still plenty to do outdoors
Agreed. It’s part of the reason we’re moving to Portland from the Midwest 😂 the winters here are BAD.
Agree, if you have the right gear nearly everything outside is available most of the time, except in serious weather. Hiking, biking, skiing/snowboarding, camping, walking, I can't spend nearly every day indoors over the winter or I'd go insane.
Also a headlamp if you are a day job worker like me. Kinda helps on some late night walks/hikes after work.
One of the reasons, im gonna miss portland. I'm moving to a place where its cold til May.
Aw safe travels too you. I grew up in a cold-til-May location and I feel ya
This! A good rain jacket and rain pants and you’re set. I recommend Next Adventure for good used gear. You can always retreat it with spray to retain waterproofing
Also, less people out there right now, so there's much more sense of peace.
Could not agree more. Once I actually got clothes and shoes that kept me dry, the cold/wet/mud didn’t even phase me
Maybe your depressed? Idk but it sounds like you already do all the things people do when their bored.
Yeah you’re probably onto something.
I'm a born and raised Oregonian and always get depressed in the winter. My doctor just put me on 5000ui daily of vitamin d3 w/o blood work. I recommend doing the same. Happy lamps are hit or miss. Most you'll find are uv free so they can't help a vitamin d defiency. They're more helpful for psychological aspect of the darkness. Since the pandemic I stopped caring about having perfect interior design and went cozy. I have a lot of string lights in my room now that I turn on after the sun goes down and it's calming for me. If that ain't your vibe, you can buy the SAD lamps pretty cheap on Amazon and put it next to your bed.
you heard of a happy light? you've maybe seen something similar in the back-ish area of fast food areas without noticing (no windows for sunlight). super common in alaska! you can buy one, but the cheaper way is to just buy a (flourescent? icr) light bulb and random lamp, sit in it for some time each day (while reading/working/drinking coffee...anything) also i still habitually take vitamin D and omegas even though i left home hella years ago. do you like indoor plants? some greenery could help too. last thing is let as much light in as possible while it's day time. if lots of cold air leaks in, you can get some window insulator sheets from Amazon for like $15
also also a very solid pair of rain boots might help your dislike of rain in winter. if you already have a pair you like, well. not to be rude but i never know why people who dont like rain, move to rainy places 😭
The other day I was trying to figure out what was stopping me from going for a walk - and I realized it was because the rain was getting in my face too much. I got out my proper rain coat with hood and it made the experience much better, except for my pants which were quite soaked - but that's solveable too. Now, with today's crazy winds it's probably best to stay inside, but on more normal drizzly days, a proper set of rain gear can keep you warm and toasty even when it's nasty outside.
ooh that's a good point, I didn't really consider wet face/neck. I wonder if theres some ~rugged bucket hat~ out there that would help? personally i live in beanies for half the year 😅 speaking of, do you have a good set of rain pant recs?? i usually just wear old jeans and tough it out. in a pinch putting on sweats over jeans *really* does the trick but it's too hot and also just, not always the move haha
I have a couple pairs of lightweight rain pants / "trekking pants" which don't keep the cold out much but dry super fast; I'm going to try wearing those over my jeans, or maybe with some kind of long underwear. I'm still figuring out the weather here after 7 years in CA (I'm originally from Cleveland), and the winter weather I'm used to is more snowy and less drizzly. I've actually been thinking of maybe getting a rain hat too - a waterproof bucket hat is kinda what I was thinking too.
husband and i both bought shells which are lightweight waterproof layers to wear as outermost layer in cold, wet weather. highly recommend—perfect for this weather.
🤦♀️ why did i never think of shells!! literally for 7 years I've been "well, this is my life now. anyway!!! :)" it's the kind of, oh this weather sucks, it's life, we get wet sometimes..but once i grab a set i will probably be outside ALL the time :') thank you! when we moved from alaska (drove down in mid january!) it was -21, and when we got to oregon it was 45. something in my head was like *dont worry about moisture it could be worse* 😭
We both got the Patagonia ones and love them! Highly recommend. Not sure what they’re called. I’m sure cheaper also available, but as far as Patagonia goes they weren’t bad.
Get a cat. They're entertaining for at least an hour a day. Read books. Cooking/baking practice. I'm trying to perfect pizza crust. Painting. I do watercolor (badly) with aforementioned cat every morning. He hangs out and watches and only once has he knocked over the water cup. Hand-knit a giant blanket (use that big ol yarn) Rewatch your favorite series (or something new! Love Mike Flanagan stuff like Bly Manor, Midnight Club, Haunting of Hill House. Rob Thomas stuff is a good rewatch too: Veronica Mars, iZombie, Party Down. Or animated! Over the Garden Wall, Summer Camp Island, Bob's Burgers, Bea and Puppy Cat) Take a class! A few years ago I started taking Udemy courses for fun and now I'm somehow getting an MBA. I have lots of wine credential books you can study if you wanna be a wine expert.
I have plenty of board games if you'd like to try some.
What u got, Doug ?
Jaipur, Codenames Duet, Netrunner (though I don't know how to play it/the tutorials are like... 40 friggin' minutes), Morels. And if we get more players: Splendor, Love Letter, Machi Koro, Bohnanza, Coup and Coup Rebellion, And more intense (longer) stuff like Cosmic Encounter, Dead of Winter, Robinson Crusoe, Artctic Scavengers, Dominion, Letters from Whitechapel, Cutthroat Caverns, Arkaham Horror (the card game)-- quite a few others, those are just the ones I can see from my desk.
I LOVE dominion such a fun game.
I guiltily admit I prefer the design/aesthetics of Arctic Scavengers over Dominion even though I'm fairly certain Dominion is the exact same game with more variety.
Have you played Seven Wonders? Another favorite.
I did once, I don't remember it very well but that's likely 'cause it was years ago. I tend to prefer games with enough of a luck mechanic mixed with strategy that if I (or anyone else) loses we can be like "oh, guess the luck wasn't in it for me that round!" rather than games like Hive or Chess where like... you have all the time in the world to make your move, you're evenly matched, and if you lose you have no one to blame but yourself.
I just tried Seven Wonders Duel and really liked it! Will probably take a few more games to see how well it holds up, but so far seemed like one of the better 2-player games I've tried. Also have been playing Wingspan a fair amount lately and it's pleasantly chill but with room to screw up and immediately stress out. The Euro expansion adds some great balance without messing with the mechanics, too.
Yes! I was gifted SW duel after I played it. Great go to game for two
I think there are expansions and I’d like to check those out.
Arkham horror card game is the BEST and also great for 2 players
i adore love letter and coup!
Some of those are going to lose you some points…
Also I'm fully aware of the potentially uneasy dynamics of being invited to play board games with a white cismale stranger via reddit and would not be surprised/offended in the slightest if you decline the offer. If you haven't tried board games yet, Guardian Games, Mox Portland, and a few other places tend to have schedules setup where people just come in and play. I enjoy them because it's a structured social environment; don't have anything in common? can't make small talk? no worries, just take your turn and let the game guide the way.
The great thing about board games is they're often 4 or 5 people to a table, if not more. That way you don't have that awkwardness 1 on 1 activities have.
If they wanna come by Guardian, I'll happily teach 'em how to play D&D too!
Have you considered finding a way to volunteer your obvious energy/intelligence somewhere in our community?
In the summer I work for Portland Audubon foraging supplies for their wildlife care facility but I don’t have a winter-type volunteer activity I’ve tried yet. I’ve tried getting involved in cannabis industry unionization efforts also which was totally fruitless but that kind of thing does interest me. I suppose I could look into some mutual aid stuff near me too. Do you have recommendations?
The oregon food bank and their community partners always need volunteers, shifts on the volunteer calendar seem to open up 1-2 weeks before the shift. Their community partners (pantries, distribution, etc) especially need more hands, and they're all over town with plenty of different shifts. https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer?gclid=CjwKCAiAzKqdBhAnEiwAePEjknYC9bULBGnYamLBlzlNQXLD778G60fwkG-BgWwx2x3PJCwHIFQXhBoCfjcQAvD_BwE
I volunteer at my local library and it's great. Libraries have a ton of small tasks they need help with, and it might help you find some new book or show that interests you.
Omg how’d you get to work at Audubon! Sounds like so much fun, I’ve been interested
My mom got trained to volunteer at the wildlife care center taking calls and doing intake and even releasing rehabilitated animals! We’ve released some owls together. Very cool. She got involved through their website. From there, she hooked me up with the foraging gig.
Oregon Humane Society! They’re great to volunteer for and throwing a ball for the rescue dogs will knock winter depression right out of you.
I know it sounds like movies are boring to you but I love the Hollywood theater as they have more interesting programming. I go there once a week. I also love our public library system. I’m a big reader so I really enjoy going to the library and looking for new books to read. They also have audiobooks which are great for when you’re cleaning the house or doing more mundane things. I personally enjoy cooking, despite being single I’ll cook something looking for recipes that reheat well. I also enjoy going to “ethnic” (kind of hate that word, but non-mainstream American) stores and just grabbing things that look interesting, sauces, snacks whatever. Low cost and you sometimes discover good stuff. And lastly Portland parks & rec used to have a variety of classes to take, not sure of the offerings post Covid. PCC also has adult Ed just for fun classes: dance, art, cooking, language. Again not sure of the offerings post Covid but they used to have a variety of stuff.
I got Three Idiots from the library, a film from India, super funny, be sure to check out their central location, the international film selection is tops
Heck yeah! Hollywood Theater is great!
They really are. Absolutely love them. And I’m a member so I get a discount on movies and some are free, plus free popcorn. Who doesn’t love free popcorn?
Take vitamin D. I felt like I’d hit a wall a couple of weeks ago and then remembered to take it, and perked right up in 24 hours. Have you been roller skating at Oaks Park? I just went this afternoon and really recommend it.
I take 5000iu during the winter and it really helps.
Remember there's always a beautiful week in February, I say, "to remind you of how beautiful the upcoming spring is." And for some reason, that week can break up the gloom of winter and the rainy season to come, jUsT enough to remind you (and help forget, lol) all the reasons it's amazing here. We need, "that week" after a NW winter.
Ssshhhh we don't talk about fake spring on reddit ;) . . jk, gimme the downvotes anyway
If you want to smoke a bit of weed and play split screen borderlands with me, hit me up.
Gonna take note of the answers here thanks to you OP! For me at least, we just moved back recently so still working on meeting our people, but in the meantime trying our best to keep doing what we enjoy: goin to movies, comedy, hikin when possible. Been eating mushrooms and going for long tantric walks - rain or cold be damned! - and it's been really helpful in battling depression/boredom. Got some weights for exercising at home bc I only do it if it's easy/fun for me, and haven't found a gym yet. Best advice is find the intersection of fun and activity that best keeps ya motivated to get out! A non answer for sure but making this post is a great first step that hopefully helps out :)
It sounds like you want to DO something with your Life. And I hate to be that guy, but if you have more than enough weed, have you tried not smoking it for a few weeks (or longer)? I love some good inebriation, but whatever the kind, it can leave daily life feeling kind of blah, and then getting high just gets us to normalish, with deteriorating returns. Meanwhile, you have a ton of energy, but not sure if there is an outlet you're personally invested in. Maybe that's volunteering, or maybe it's starting your own thing. Personally, I'm aching to go back to school so I can level up my own community organizing. Or maybe I'll finally start that late night coffee shop we all need. Either way, that shit is scary, but you sound a lot younger than me, so trust me, you got nothing to lose. Whatever it is that's scary or unfamiliar (that does no harm and helps at least you), just do it.
>It sounds like you want to DO something with your Life. And I hate to be that guy, but if you have more than enough weed, have you tried not smoking it for a few weeks (or longer)? I love some good inebriation, but whatever the kind, it can leave daily life feeling kind of blah, and then getting high just gets us to normalish, with deteriorating returns. TLDR: Blah blah blah This is something I've noticed, too. Weed is a siren song when I'm feeling blah, but the diminishing returns of consistent use definitely lead to a blah feeling too, since the thing that was supposed to lift me above the blah just becomes a new type of blah.
😅 thanks for the support post and also critique of my coffee rambles lolol
This and the comment you are replying to is a great description of addiction. When you get the point of using just to feel normal or not even that - less blah, that is addiction.
I quit smoking when I moved to Hawaii lol, sometimes you have to shake things up
I think it's just something you have to deal with as a trade off for the summers. This is the climate here. I'm from Florida and this will be my 9th winter in the PNW and it's taken a long time just to get used to it. I'm not a fan but overall I like the climate up here and the winter doldrums is part of it. I guess what I'm saying is that you need to find what works for you based on your interests and budget and if you really can't take it I then move to a better climate.
Without the winter weather the spring and summer wouldn’t be as sweet.
I go walking in the rain, except when the weather is really bad. If you suit up, it's fine, plus a lot of beautiful places are not as crowded as usual. You can do a beach day on the coast, walk through local and regional parks, etc. Hot drinks afterwards taste esp. good. Also, have you thought about taking a class?
Get a cheap instrument and go to the library and check out EVERYTHING.
Come learn to Swing dance at Norse Hall on Sunday evenings or Tango Berretin on Monday Evenings! You aren't required to bring a partner either!
Do they have live big band for swing nights??
Not every night no, but the two groups post on Facebook when any big band events are happening.
Try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! I picked it up a year ago and can’t stop. It’s like playing chess with your limbs, and the people are always super chill. Plus it’s just a cool, useful skill to have.
Where are you going to learn it? And can someone ridiculously out of shape do it? For various reasons I haven’t exercised in a long time, would like to start moving my body lore. Started going for walks about two months ago but then as the rain came I went less and less, find it hard to get out the door so I think a class at a specific time might be good for me.
Definitely, I was pretty out of shape when I started. You can make it as hard as you want, that’s something I wish I knew at the start. So you can definitely relax and not push yourself too hard in the beginning. I go to Impact Jiu Jitsu. They have several locations but you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.
I used to not do outdoor stuff in the winter, so I feel your pain. Picking up great indoor hobbies helped my winter depression a ton--my top two would be BDSM and bread baking.
Buy some good rain gear and go outside
Also cloud inversions are hella common here… go find higher ground and you may be in the sun all day. Alternatively the coast is the best kept winter secret somehow; I’m always surprised how often it actually ends up being sunny and 50 in the winter.
I had to brainwash myself. I have convinced myself that I love the rain, the gray, the dreary, the 6 hours of daylight in the winter…. It took me several years but it’s not working at all
Embrace the rain!
Yes, also Fuck the rain.
Tool libraries love volunteers 😀👍
Tool libraries?
Tool borrowing libraries.
I'm working on a 4000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
Hiking, snowboarding, skiing, or snowshoeing are my recommendations. I learned how to snowboard when I was in my 30’s. I had only been sledding one time in my life before that, and had hardly spent anytime in the snow growing up. I highly recommend taking a lesson at a resort. Cannot stress that enough. It is worth it to learn from the experts in order to build the proper form and the fundamentals. Do not try to learn from your friends, or family. Biggest mistake people make.. that is what the trainers told me. Ever since I learned that snow is disappearing more and more in our state due to climate change I decided I was gunna get out and enjoy it before it disappears in the future. I did not want to look back and regret not taking up more winter activities.. It changed the game for me! I now look forward to this season the most.
Smoke a lot of weed. Go to the gym. What you've described is why people struggle here in the winters. We always plan a winter vacation specifically bc it's awful here. We stay local for summers bc they are incredible here. My advice, get social with people. Game nights/movie nights.
Omg I think I’m a lost cause. I go to the gym like 15 hours a week, I have game nights with my friends twice a week. I’m a budtender and I have more weed than I could ever possibly smoke. I’m still bored. I can’t afford a vacation. I think I’m just gonna turn to stone
Game nights twice a week? That would be enough to keep me more than entertained all year, how are you still bored lol
Sound young and high energy. More social stuff than I get in a month.
Maybe this isn't the climate for you then. 🤷♂️
I feel like Portland is my issue, not the climate. I enjoy the rain, but I wish there were more indoor options. In Seattle there is so much more to do in these conditions, and the climate is the same. I’d move there if I could afford it. I think I’m hoping someone will tell me about some cool underground art thing I’ve never heard of or an activity I haven’t considered
I used to live in Seattle. What is there that's not here? Maybe you and I are just into very different things but I'm not sure there is a large difference in the winter offerings.
What kind of “so much more” is there to do in Seattle exactly?
Portland is a very difficult place to make friends/meet people. Everyone on reddit will tell you different and will probably downvote this, but it's true. Pandemic didn't help, but the core issue is that people are clicky and a bit cold here.
Moved here from Seattle during the pandemic and two years later I have tons of friends here. It didn't happen without some effort on my part and it started off real slow thanks to COVID. I don't believe in the Seattle Freeze or Portland's equivalent. Both of our stories are anecdotal of course and really have no bearing on someone else's experience.
That's awesome!
Portland has more indoor activities concentrated in 1 city than most places. You're suffering from grass is greener. Go to Oaks and rent some skates.
Not exactly cool or underground, but I take classes at Multnomah Arts Center. It's a fun way to dabble in an art or craft and meet folks, plus it's through Portland Parks and Rec, so you can get income -based discounts.
You are not a fungi.
Sometimes I take a bus to Cannon Beach for the day, as a cost effective way to break up the monotony. Eat some chowder in a sourdough bowl, check out a few shops, grab some coffee and smoke a joint on the sand. Later, go read a book and have some drinks at Screw and Brew until the bus arrives for the return home. It's a lovely, easy getaway.
You can take a bus?
Yep, from Union Station. Last time I did it, it was like $40 I think? It's a great little escape. Coasties at the bar are...*intersting*...to talk to lol
Have you considered slowing down? You seem busy as hell tbh. Maybe get a therapist instead of another hobby? I don't intend this to be mean, honestly... But it doesn't seem like you'll find a satisfactory answer here if you're actually doing all that you say you're doing and you're still "bored".
What do you do in the summer that you cant/ won’t do when it’s wet? Are there a similar indoor activities? Honestly, you seem to have way more social activities than most people I know… maybe try learning something new to challenge yourself?
and you are still bored?
Vacations don’t have to be elaborate. Take a weekend road trip. You can usually find some cheap motel in a small town. Just drove and explore. Even if I go on a day trip it refreshes me because every so often I need to go somewhere new.
Tell me you have adhd without telling me. 😂 This whole post has so many great suggestions that I bookmarked it. Just pick one that sounds fun to you and go do that first. Make a list of all the others you want to try too.
Have you tried playing Elden Ring? That is a *huge* time suck. You won’t even need other activities.
Honestly, I just get out of town. I work remotely so I'll go to San Diego for a couple weeks and hang out every 2-3 months. It used to not bother me, but after 11 years I have a hard time staying motivated during the winter.
Have you tried a ceramics class? Throwing bowls is frustratingly awesome.
Yes it was one of my main studies in art school! Unfortunately the kind of ceramics I’m interested in is pretty inaccessible to me right now. I love atmospheric firings and it’s not cheap or easy to come by. I should work on checking if there are more resources available now since last time I was looking. :) HIGHLY recommend ceramics to anybody who has access to it and want to try! Folks should check out radius on Belmont and the mud room!!!
I get it. Atmospheric firing is very cool. I hope to do some pit firing next year down in Arizona. I hope you find some fun stuff to get you through the dark and rainies.
thanks for the post and all of the wonderful ideas. moved here in august and feeling very lazy, sleepy this winter and think all of these suggestions would give me some new energy and purpose. thanks to all!
I feel you. I grew up in this climate and am not a rain (or outdoorsy) person. Hell I grew up on the coast and don't even care much about the beach. Portland does lack indoor social activities compared to even my tiny hometown, especially post lockdown. This is doubly true if you don't drink or can't afford concerts or ball games (which sounds like you cant.) Also sounds like you stay physically active and are particularly looking for more social or intellectually based activities... I agree that finding a winter season volunteer opportunity might be a place to go next. I keep hearing online and off that animal shelters really need volunteers right now. Get to see cute animals and socialize with other staff! That's the first thing off the top of my head. Have you tried meet-up? (The website) lots more in person events popping up again. I'm mostly in writing and crafty ones. Some meet in taverns and the like but you aren't expected to drink alcohol. Same for the larger age based socials. It's more about it being a convenient place to accommodate a large group of talking people. Anyway, the site is free to use as a regular attendee and is pretty active in portland compared to other bigger cities. It's how I met most of my social network as a sole proprietor haha.
Pre-pandemic, dinner parties were my go-to. Now, I have scaled it way back to weekly dinners with one or two friends, a Discord chat group for all of us, and a lot of walks. And video games.
Train jiu jitsu
I was just going to suggest this too
I don't know what drugs you're on but please share.
Step one: Be an introverted, homebody Step two: hide in your bubble 24/7 Step three: profit?
Yeah that's like my whole life. OP does two game nights a week.... I'm like two game nights every 5 years. 😂
Tennis at PTC. Great setup and group of players.
Rock climbing gym, find new indoor hobbies (grow mushrooms? lol or I'm sure you can Google up a bunch of suggestions) or creative outlets (write, compose, draw, etc.), start a business but only something you enjoy doing, learn new recipes (cook every recipe in a cookbook?) or take classes at Cookshop.
If you have good outdoor gear you won't get cold, wet, or muddy. It's worth it to pony up and buy good stuff.
Read books! Portland has a huge scene of good authors and book trades, we even have some legendary comic artists at dark horse.
This seems like a perfect opportunity to get obsessed with board games. There’s also meetup groups for tons of things. Just join up anything that sounds interesting. And of course I’ll always recommend dodgeball. It’s fun on a bun and a very welcoming community. Plus a great workout!
It'll cost money, but if you're looking for more physical activity, maybe look into Underdog leagues? They can be good places to make friends too, but usually have indoor stuff like volleyball, indoor soccer, etc. Pickleball's also booming now and there's a few indoor courts around town. Or try to take up something creative/crafty? You can get a basic woodcarving kit for like $50 or less online, make spoons or little statues or whatever. Drawing, painting, pottery, etc. There's classes around. You could always get a bit of gear and try more cold-weather stuff too. Usually in the winter when it's raining here, it's snowing on Hood. Skiing or snowboarding, or at much less cost snowshoeing are good options. You warm up quickly once you get going, plus it's pretty.
Wood working! Make a little shop and get a few saws, a knife, some sand paper, and glue and go to town.
Honestly when I start feeling like this I have to recognize that the winter blahs are getting to me. Time to break out the vit D and the SAD lamp. Not all lamps are created equal. You can’t just buy a bulb on the ‘zon and call it a night. You need to find a lamp recommended by experts. But really, forcing myself to get outside despite the shit weather does wonders. Even when it sounds awful. I bought a horse this year and it has forced me to go out during the ice storm, the wind, the rain, every day, whether I feel like it or not. I’m not suggesting you take up a hobby that will drain your bank account and make you question your sanity, but forcing yourself to get outside? Do it. This is the first year since moving here years ago where I don’t just feel like I’m counting down the days until spring. Where it doesn’t feel like a slog making it through each dreary day. I know you said you didn’t want to hear it, but… get outside.
Underdog sports league. It isn't serious and a good way to meet people.
If you can afford it, get some high-quality warm-and-wet weather gear and learn to ski or snowboard. It’s addictive AF.
I know you said you don't like outdoorsy stuff this time of year, and I get it. But once I got the right gear to keep me dry, I found I love hiking in the winter; you can hit all the popular trails in the Gorge without seeing many people and you can see the waterfalls at their mightiest. It's spectacular! edit: if you need a hiking buddy, hit me up, I live in the Gorge and don't take advantage of it often enough.
You listed a pretty decent amount of things that you do already and by your own words you’re still going to snap. But also sounds like this is not an issue for you in the summer because you can be outside. Are you someone that hates being home inside?…I have some friends that can’t stop moving and they’re never home. They could totally rent a 300 sq ft closet in NYC and never be there but to sleep. I would go crazy because I spend a lot of time at home and like to nest in my space. Everyone is different. I don’t know…not saying this at all to be condescending, but if you’re one of those people who hates being home and prefers to always be out, but are deterred by cold/rain, maybe one of the rainiest cities in America with an actual winter to boot isn’t the place for you…? People do move and choose where to live based on climate and geography rather commonly (when financial variables permit). I love getting cozy inside, but I need an excuse so winter is great for me. And with this extreme weather recently, it’s been paradise for me. I love the feeling of taking shelter from something. But at the same time, I can’t get cozy inside on a nice sunny day and that’s when I feel restless. I would go crazy in Arizona or Florida because I would feel like I need to keep moving and get out, but I don’t want to keep moving and getting out. Not sure if that makes sense, but I basically love to chill but need the right circumstances to give myself permission to do it. It’s possible that you need to give yourself more permission to chill. We all do have subconscious things from childhood or whatever, like if your parents were busy bodies or made you feel you need to always have something to do and weren’t permitted to just lounge around. If you really are just bored…more/new hobbies. Instrument. Consider a dog, if you don’t have one. A dog will keep you plenty busy and outside more and the dog parks are actually pretty social, even on cold and rainy days. And many of my best memories here in Portland are standing in parks at dusk in the summer talking with people while the dogs romp. Plan some vacation time for winter. Took an extended trip to tropical countries January into February a few years ago and it really broke up the winter quite nicely. Even weekend trips to Bend, it may not be warm, but it’s usually sunny there and pleasant enough to be out and about if it’s the rain/gloom that you don’t like. Have you tried meditation? The world within is more infinitive than the world without. You can explore forever and never be close to finished 😉
Ski or Snowboard?
Ice skating is a fun indoor activity. Also roller skating at oaks park!
Sleep
Ski and snowboarding, or snowshoeing, really lift my winter blues
Snow sports!!!
an indoor ax throwing spot just opened up in NW lol I’m down if anyone else wants to check it out
Mount Hood! Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, etc
Portland has a really vibrant underground house and techno scene. I have to put my foot down to take a weekend night off, or only go to one party on a given night. Even and especially in winter.
How do you find low underground house and techno shows?
I'm using the term a little loosely to include not-underground parties that play underground music or book DJs along those lines. Venues/parties include Occasion Vibration, No Requests, WERM, Believe You Me, etc. All of these announce parties on Instagram and have pages that should be simple to find. There are more truly underground-y parties but I wouldn't want to advertise them to someone I don't know personally and blow up the spot. But starting with the above you could probably find your way into one pretty quickly.
Take a week in Vegas or something
Yea anyone who wants to help support a min wage worker taking a week to Vegas can Venmo me lmao
I'm feeling it too. Tired all the time and bored. I'm not a homebody. Snowboarding?
Buy rain gear and bike to a hike.
Get a kid 😂 you will never be bored!
Seriously?!? I took a job in Antigo, WI this year and you think you have nothing to do? You aren’t even at the first level of boredom. I only wish I had your level of winter boredom. LOL
Try living in Minnesota in the winter. It's boring as fuck unless you're a drunk or druggie
California is definitely better
Ya know, I’m trying not to take a lot of the rude exclusionary comments personally but I think people could really use some perspective. Not just on me personally but on why some people move here from warmer climates. I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic but regardless people need to open their minds. I was born in Portland but I grew up around LA so that’s the climate I’m used to, although I didn’t like that climate at all. I always preferred when LA was cloudy. I really do like the rain (but it’s a mixed bag). In fact, I moved here because I nearly died in an explosive & historic wildfire in Northern California while I was in college and it burned my house down along with about 800+ structures and many people died. I almost didn’t escape. I couldn’t financially or emotionally afford to really go in any direction except north. The cool weather up here & EMDR trauma therapy was a huge necessary help. I finished college here and am in training to get into my field of interest but it takes time. I am still finding ways to adapt to a climate I didn’t grow up in. I wish some people here would have more empathy and recognize their gatekeeping mentalities as dangerous extensions of Oregon’s deeply racist/classist historical nature. There’s a lot of understanding and welcoming folks in this thread who I want to acknowledge but there’s a handful of people who gave the exact kind of reaction I was expecting to get from this post and I wonder if they might consider ….not being like that.
Aw...sad.
I chase my shadow and eat junk food with friends or solo. Haha
How can you be bored ?
Learn how to grow a mushroom. You'll never be bored. :3
Move. Portland sucks.
Just be happy you don't live in Buffalo NY! Every day I go outside and walk and look at the great big trees, the ferns, the glimpses occasionally of Mt Hood or St Helens. Oh ya, chocolate and light therapy 15 minutes every day helps.
I move to a place where I don't have to hear neo-oregonians complain about their priviledged seasonal issue that reoccurs, ya know.. Annually. Instead I move to a place where I can hear neo-somethings complain about the things they dislike about the place they moved to so I can hear something new, it's quite refreshing.
Boohoo.