I know what it feels like to not be able to engage with people (any people) and lock yourself in the house. The only thing you can do is pick out movies, preferably a series, to watch all day. Don't answer the phone, don't make any calls, don't check e-mail - go dark.
Often times I watch war movies or under dog movies. I like the violence because that's how I'm feeling inside, not being able to get out of my inner foxhole. Or I'll watch movies where people are fighting for a cause, litigation or a greater good. The movies I watch have to have a purpose beyond the obvious.
Then I have times when I can read. It starts with on-line news. I skip around to what's important and ignore the junk. I hit the social media sites I follow. I usually keep up to date with the obituaries (local to my area and in Chicago). If I need to I'll listen to my church's sermon for the week.
I get the Chicago Tribune most days of the week so I look through there and read whatever I find interesting. Sometimes I read my neighbor's copy of People magazine. Other times I pick up a book but that doesn't happen very often. My mind can't concentrate that long so I do better with short articles.
I get most of what I need from the internet because I don't spend the little bit of money I have on cable. It's a decision I had to make and for me, it's a good one. Sometimes I miss it but for the most part a radio or the internet does just fine.
Television or Reading.
I guess the television is used when my brain is turned off.
I guess the reading is used when my brain is in a brown out.
