I grew up in a very small town; an "everybody-knows-everybody" small town. You can't go to the supermarket without seeing at least three people you know on a first name basis. Around age ten, I stopped liking my small, farm town and decided I wanted to live in a city. I wanted options. I wanted crowds. I wanted busy. So, when I moved to Atlanta for college, I was thrilled. I got constant noise, constant people, and constant choices. Chinese or Thai food? Walk or drive there? Urban Outfitters or H&M? Target or... well, the choice is always Target, but you get the idea.
The older I get, the more I want the city. I'm living back home temporarily right now (two more weeks, counting down) and as much as I love spending time with my family, I hate that the nearest Target is almost an hour away, that the nearest bubble tea place is god-only-knows how far, and the option to walk somewhere is completely out the window.
All of that said, I have to come up with ways to pass the time in my little, small, tiny town. And I've been coming up with them since high school. So. Here they are: things to do to pass time in a small town, or any town for that matter... I just had to keep it specific for the article. Don't judge me.
1. Knit.
It sounds lame and like an 87-year-old granny, but it passes the time.
2. Work Out.
Some of this is because I've recently become a exercise-aholic, but also it really does pass the time.
3. NETFLIX. Everyone knows this already, but Netflix really is the ultimate way to pass time or waste a day.
4. Scrapbook.
Again, I know it sounds lame and like a boring stay-at-home-mom hobby, but it's fun and it gives you a chance to look back on memories.
5. Prank Calls
I'm an eighth grader at heart so forgive me if this sounds like the most childish thing Prank Calls. imaginable, but it's especially entertaining if you're good at accents and you know who you're on the phone with (perk of knowing 95% of the people in town).
6. Watch Old Lizzie McGuire Episodes on YouTube.
Almost positive that the whole series is online. You're welcome.
7. DO NOT Go to Wal-Mart.
I know I said this was a list of things to do, so for this one to fit you have to actively avoid Wally-World at all times. Not only do high school kids STILL hang out in the parking lot (why is that a thing, by the way?), but also you'll see everyone you know and want to crawl in a hole.
8. Read Cooking Blogs.
I'm not a chef. I will never be a chef. And I'll never devote enough time to cooking to actually follow anything I find in a cooking blog, but the fact that some people make a cooking blog their job is fascinating.
9. Design and Sell Artwork on Redbubble.
You have to have some talent for this one (at least I think you do) but it's a great way to earn a little extra cash and - you know this one - pass the time. Check it out.
10. See How Long You Can Stand on Your Head.
Again, eighth grader at heart. Sorry. But if you can beat your personal best, it feels great. Plus, as an added bonus, you get that great momentary blackout feeling when you flip over and stand up too fast. ;)
11. See Old Friends.
I went to a high school softball game at the field I played on for nearly six years and not only did I cry a little, I also saw old teammates that I hadn't really seen since I graduated.
12. Drive to a Larger Town/City.
Literally. Any one of them will do. Just find a bubble tea place and a Target and make yourself happy.
13. See Family.
Duh.
14. Accept That You Don't Like Where You Are, but Be Thankful You Have a Place to Call Home.
'Nuff said. (Not sure why I went "90's bro" there, but you get the idea.)