Can't believe I'm posting this on LRC but what the heck
Essentially I'm bored out of my mind with my life. Every day is like Groundhog Day. Wake up in the dark, quick coffee if I'm lucky before getting the kids to school., work at the same desk doing the same things I've been doing for the last nearly 15 years all day (sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a lunch break ), pick kids up, with a bit of luck squeeze a short run in on my own if it's not too dark, help with evening meals and chores, get the kids to bed, collapse in a heap, and then repeat.
I used to be a national level runner (not in US) but now I'm mid 40'S and it's an effort to drag myself around a 3 mile jog. Can't believe it when I see masters my age still crushing it. I've lost nearly all motivation, am tired all the time, and don't enjoy it much any more which is a real shame as I have so many great memories of my time in the sport.
We live in a very rural community with no family within 100's of miles, and social life is non-existent.
I'm on a low dose antidepressant which has helped with anxiety, but obviously can't change life situations. On paper I have a really good job. I'm well qualified and paid, but after a few years it's become a drag. I'm not really qualified to do anything else either.
How can I get get the old excitement for living back?
Anyone else bored with life?
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yes, same stuff man, was bored for a long time running was one of the few things that i still like, past year, i pretty much gave it up, Not fat or anything, still eat healthy and everything but yeah it, just like everything else became so "blah".
Also, educated, good job, savings, debt free. Here is one thing I learned though when i worked consulting. Almost every job is completely boring, meaningless and serves no purpose to society. So a personal philosophy i have is to get the job with the most pay and autonomy with the least hours and figure out how to be useful in your free time.
I however live in a big coastal city with extreme diversity which is paradoxically extremely isolating because their is almost no shared identity and everyone hunkers down in their bedroom communities and no on trusts other people. It's real gross. I used to live in midwest medium sized city that was much nicer.
As to how to get it back im not exactly sure.
Here are somethings ive done past two years to try and bring back enthusiasm for life. Some helped a little.
1: rejected the idea of growing up (im an 'established adult') by doing things that seemed interested to me but were not typical for people to start or do later in life.
2. I was good at skateboarding in my youth, i actually started skating again. Did i look weird? sure, did i care? no
3. I always wanted to learn an instrument, i started teaching self.
4. I learned a bunch of trade skills and remodeled parts of house and family members house to make myself feel useful
5. i tried to go back to church but was hugely disappointed on the complete lack of any sincere spirituality in the modern novus ordo catholic church.
6. i would sing karaoke 30 minutes a day (this was probably one of the best life enhancers, not joking)
7. I picked up video games (great distraction - dont recommend for any longterm plan)
Things that didnt help
1. reading self improvement stuff
2. wanking off
3. going out to social events that were boring and superficial -
Explore all the great music that came out in the 1970's. It's unreal. I'm forever fascinated. Buy a nice turntable and set-up.
Explore trail runs on the weekends.
Learn piano or guitar.
Go on hikes with your kids and just talk to them.
Read the classics. -
How old are your kids? Can you learn something new together? Photography? Music? Kayaking? learn a language? Boxing?
Cycle to work?
Take great holidays to give yourself something to look forward to? We went to Malaysia this year and had an amazing time.
Make an effort and go somewhere new to run? Find a mountain or a forest and remember why running is fun? -
You've been at it for 15 years and you're just noticing now? Come on, bro.
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I have 2 very simple recommendations for you.
1) Begin waking up early and running every morning. By early, I mean like 5AM before anyone else is awake. Get the run out of the way, watch the sun come up as your are heading home. Set a goal for yourself in 3-5 months and begin working towards it.
2) If you can afford it go on a different type of vacation. Take the kids backpacking somewhere beautiful, learn how to scuba dive. Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone.
The difference between bored with life and content with life is very slim in my experience. It is all about perspective and how you approach habit/routine. If habit/routine do not feel like they are in service of something you deeply care about then it is easy to get depressed. -
+1
I'm with you. Retired 2 years ago, bought a dumpy house out of foreclosure, worked my butt off, now it's done..so now what ? with winter coming in.
Gotta set new goals, I guess. -
So bored wrote:
Can't believe I'm posting this on LRC but what the heck
Essentially I'm bored out of my mind with my life. Every day is like Groundhog Day. Wake up in the dark, quick coffee if I'm lucky before getting the kids to school., work at the same desk doing the same things I've been doing for the last nearly 15 years all day (sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a lunch break ), pick kids up, with a bit of luck squeeze a short run in on my own if it's not too dark, help with evening meals and chores, get the kids to bed, collapse in a heap, and then repeat.
I used to be a national level runner (not in US) but now I'm mid 40'S and it's an effort to drag myself around a 3 mile jog. Can't believe it when I see masters my age still crushing it. I've lost nearly all motivation, am tired all the time, and don't enjoy it much any more which is a real shame as I have so many great memories of my time in the sport.
We live in a very rural community with no family within 100's of miles, and social life is non-existent.
I'm on a low dose antidepressant which has helped with anxiety, but obviously can't change life situations. On paper I have a really good job. I'm well qualified and paid, but after a few years it's become a drag. I'm not really qualified to do anything else either.
How can I get get the old excitement for living back?
You used to be a good runner, and it was something you really cared about. Sounds like you haven't replaced it with anything once you stopped competing. I think if you found some new hobby and got really into it you'd feel that drive again. Find something that you like to do that you can spend an hour or two on during the week and some extra time on during the weekends and get really into it. Also, maybe consider getting a different job. Possibly even a completely different career if that could be an option. -
Join the army. There is nothing like killing to solve boredom.
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Get a new girlfriend.
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Pursue an affair or engage in some criminal activity.
That'll be exciting.
15 years at the same job? You should be able to figure out how to steal stuff or embezzle from them by now without getting caught.
And if you do get caught in the affair or the crimes, you won't be bored trying to deal with that.
You're welcome! -
So bored wrote:
How can I get get the old excitement for living back?
Cannabis. -
Buy a Mazda Miata. Get hair plugs and porcelain veneers. Divorce your wife and start dating a 23 year old dental hygienist.
Yeah, midlife is not exciting. But we all have to do our turn in the barrel. When you were young, your parents were pulling the proverbial family stage coach, strapped up with a bit in their mouths and trudging up the same hill every day.
The first step to dealing with it is to just accept it. You had your fun and now it is your turn to carry the weight.
There are still things you can do in middle age that are rewarding and interesting. Get to the gym and do some lifting. I recently starting swinging golf clubs after not picking one up for almost twenty years. -
we're not men wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwkEgKEyBIo
Actually, it sounds like he's tired of being a man. -
So bored wrote:
Can't believe I'm posting this on LRC but what the heck
Why else would you be posting on LRC other than being bored with life? Welcome to the first day ... of the next 20 years. -
Lower your expectations. There's a reason having a career and a family is called "settling down".
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Frank Costanza wrote:
we're not men wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwkEgKEyBIo
Actually, it sounds like he's tired of being a man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjdAjVL-WUI -
I suppose you need to set a goal to experience ultimate consciousness and attain that ultimate version of you that you never thought you possessed and be always happy . Look up stuff on sexual energy transmutation , Kundalini , Esoteric knowledge ... it will lead you on ....