We have all had
moments when we thought that our life was a mind crushingly boring life…those days when we were doing the same things over and over, often with little reward at the end of the day.
Even so, when it was simply a case of being bored, you knew that there was an end to it…at some point in time.
The boring trip would be over. The boring project would be finished and you could start one that you really, really like. The boring summer when you were a kid and all of your friends were gone would end with the return of school.
Or if you have ever been a parent, and had to sit through 3 showings of Toy Story every single day for a month…well, you really know the definition of boring, know what I mean? : D (and by the way, I love Toy Story and I could probably recite every line of the first movie, thank you, William!)
Here is what I define boredom as:
Boredom is not doing what you really want to do.
Yes, we all have chores and not many people that I know really get thrilled by cleaning out the refrigerator (please drop me a line if you like doing it; I have a fridge that needs a thorough wipe down!). There is a difference in doing a dreaded chore and being stuck in the state of boredom.
Is It a Boring Life or Is It Depression?
While moments of boredom can come and go in life, persistent feelings of:
- Heaviness
- Apathy
- Numbness
- Darkness
- Futility
- Exhaustion and difficulty sleeping
…are NOT boredom.
Boredom leaves, quite swiftly, when something more interesting comes along. That is not the case with depression. It is one of those states that are VERY stuck and it is a heavier feeling than boredom.
So, if you have been thinking that you are just bored and you have some of the above symptoms, it might not be that easy. It might be depression. In that case, you might need to seek professional help. ..and remember…asking for help is a sign of strength…not weakness…
Fixing a Boring Life is Simple When You Put Your Mind to It
- You find something that interests you that compliments your core values.
- You arrange and organize your life so that you can spend more time doing what interests you.
- You look for opportunities to enhance your life with what interests you.
- You release any blocks to doing those activities (remember, they have to compliment your core values, I can’t say this often enough).
- You make vision boards and visualize that exciting life that you want.
- You start with the end in mind and reverse engineer how you are going to get there.
Can you imagine your life if you were doing what you really wanted to do? Do you think that it would be “boring” or do you think that you would get up in the morning, excited to meet the new day and live it, fully and completely?
“Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.” Denis Diderot. Tweet this!
Does that sound like a fairy-tale to you or do you think that it is possible? There are many people who live lives like that…where each day, when their feet hit the floor in the morning, their heart sings with joy, and they are filled with an energy, a passion and confidence that they are living the life that they really want.
Ask yourself these questions and see what answers you come up with…you can write them down if you want…or just notice…what those answers are…
- What aspect of my life is boring to me?
- What am I doing or not doing that is causing me to feel this way?
- Do I need to be more organized?
- Do I need structure or a schedule?
- Do I need ideas on what to do?
- Do I need more time to think, to imagine, and to create?
- Do I need to delegate some of the work I am doing?
And then I will ask this one…perhaps the most important question of them all….
Do you feel that you need to ask permission to have a life of excitement, passion, joy, energy….do you? If you do, then the question becomes, “According to who?” Is there someone that you feel you need to ask permission of…and let that go…because the only permission you need is yours…that’s right…
Change your Perspective and that Boring Life Will Change
These steps are simple…really…and they can make a difference…if you let them…catch the excitement of all of the possibilities…let your imagination run with the possibilities…and then make a choice…because you can…and this life is amazing…it really is…
It’s all about perspective…in how you see things…so if you can see that aspects of your life that you have labelled as being boring are just temporary…if you realize that you have the power to create your own life…and it doesn’t have to be a boring life…does it?
Get to the bottom of it and find out what you really want to do…get through the necessary chores of life…and allow yourself the time to be creative, to dance in the rain…to feel love and real joy…because you really do deserve that….don’t you?
“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” Sherie Venner
Sherie
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{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
I disliked this article, I thought it had no real information. All it is is a bunch of questions to ask our selves. Stupid. No solution here. Life is still boring all day everyday, and at night.
And what happens if you ask yourself those questions, Chad?
What aspect of my life is boring to me? All aspects
What am I doing or not doing that is causing me to feel this way? taking care of others
Do I need to be more organized? no I can find all my things
Do I need structure or a schedule? I have a schedule (its boring)
Do I need ideas on what to do? sure
Do I need more time to think, to imagine, and to create? no I have plenty of time alone all the time to think
Do I need to delegate some of the work I am doing? no I could use a little more work to be honest.
Those questions will not change my boring life.
Interesting answers, Chad, especially the last one.
It’s funny how powerful doing the processes you mentioned above is. The mind is truly a powerful thing and oftentimes, it’s just a small tweak that is required. Awesome post Sherie!
That’s right, Edmund, sometimes it’s just that little tweak that is needed! Thank you so much for your comment!
I just love this post Sherie! I think it is important that people understand the difference between boredom and depression the way you pointed it out. I actually have been so busy and have had so much excitement in my life I would love a little boredom…a little calm once and a while.
Thanks for your wonderful insight!
Sarah, you have been busy! Remember to take some down time!! : D Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment, I so appreciate that!
Ha! The words ‘I’m bored’ are rarely muttered in my home of 5 children. The first child that muttered those words found himself with a list of items he could do with his time to relieve his boredom..soon after he was no longer bored..lol… There are always ways to occupy your time and as my Mama always said..idle hands are the hand of the evil one…so it’s best to always do something but most importantly something that you love:) Thanks for your wonderful post!
Dr. Daisy, I love your attitude!!! Thank you for your awesome comment!
Never really thought about the concept of boredom, but you’ve covered it masterfully! I can hear me saying, “Mom, I’m b-o-r-e-d …” but that was always when I wanted to go someplace or do something that wasn’t on the agenda that day. Once I was in charge of my own agenda, I figured it was my job to keep me un-bored!
Well put,Sharon…yes, it is your job to keep you un-bored, no matter what your age! Thanks for your comment!
I am glad I have been connected with you Sherrie, you got so many article that are worth for me to read, I encountered a few of boredom, depression, stressed and etc. myself. It’s tough to be a single mother. It helps me feel good reading your blogs. Thanks for sharing.
I am glad that we have connected, too! It is tough to be a single mother…I did it for a few years, myself and it is such a tough road to walk…big hugs…
I understand feeling stuck. Bored, not so much. I enjoy tinkering whether it is pulling weeds in the garden or reading new material. I see so many that are bored to the point of depression and you are correct. Changing perceptions is what will turn things around.
Great post Sherie, thanks!
Suzanne, so appreciate you commenting…I love to read but have to say that weed pulling is not my favorite activity! Yes, it always seems to come down to changing perceptions, right….now…let me think about those weeds…: D
I have had a very eventful and challenging year to this point
..I would love to be bored awhile 
Hugs, dear Anita, I will send you some wishes for a more boring year, this year! : D
Wonderful article with lots of interesting points to share. Thank you!
You’re welcome and thank you for the comment!
I don’t have this problem as I simply don’t have time to be bored!
But I think you share a lot of useful tips. I will tweet this!
Thanks, Sara!
Great post Sherie. I get bored very easily so it’s kind of hard to narrow it down. It might be depression which I have had some experience with or it could be A.D.D. Who knows. One day it will all be figured out and I am doing what I love so that part isn’t boring.
Michael, doing what you love is awesome! Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much for your post. I don’t often feel bored, in fact pretty much never! I do need to work on my organisation skills though
My kids on the other hand though, uff, how can they be bored with a million and one things to do?
So the question I have for you is “If they have a million and one things to do and they are bored doing them, what would they rather be doing?” : D
Another thought-provoking post, Sherie. Thanks for this great article.
Thank you, Lorii, I appreciate your comment! : D
More than anything I appreciate those boring days when they come around.. they’re few and far between
Now that is an awesome perspective, Jamie! : D
I love this blog post Sherie, I shared it on my Google+ page. Distinguishing between boredom and more serious matters is important. Many do not recognize when things are out of sync to the point of requiring professional attention. Not to say many circumstances can be managed with a simple mindset change.
Wow, Kim, I appreciate your comment and you sharing it on your Google + page. Thanks!!
This is a wonderful post — chock full of things to think about and great suggestions for moving in the direction that’s right for you. I’ve been bored, and you’re right, “Boredom is not doing what you really want to do.”
Lisa, many thanks!
Sherry–What wonderful ideas you suggest! And I was glad to see you compare boredom to depression–something folks need to consider. Great post!
Meryl, thank you so much!!
Excellent article with so much valuable food for thought! I am a firm believer that when we are going against our divine purpose (passion) our life will reflect that discord. Thanks for shedding light on the need to feed our soul!!
Thank you for your comment, Denny, I appreciate it!!
Love this post, Sherie. I really think discussing depression was such a good idea. It can be a possibility when boredom is present. Fear can be a factor when folks just nudge themselves toward doing a task. Having passion about the activity at hand gets you chomping at the bit to get things done. Thanks!
Love your insights, Lisa, and thanks so much for your comment!!
Great post Sherie! Definitely when we aren’t doing what we were designed to do, to pursue our dreams, we can be unhappy and maybe feel “bored” — I love what someone mentioned about being grateful. That is the one thing that makes a difference in my day when I start my day counting my blessings. Thanks for a great post!
Yes, Sue, gratitude is really important! I did a previous post about gratitude, here is the link http://sherievenner.com/2012/know-these-3-powerful-ways-express-gratitude/ Thanks so much for the comment!
A brilliant post, Sherie. Lots of useful help but also an important consideration: is life just boring or is it depression? I also love the quote: “Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.” – Denis Diderot
Eva, thank you…those distinctions are so critical. That is a great quote, I am glad that I found it!
is all about how you look at it isn’t it! I love your bright outlook !
Awww…Elizabeth, you are such a sweetie! <3
I never understand it when people complain of boredom. There’s so much to see and learn and do and read! But I do understand how a person can feel stuck in their life. I like your step-by-step plan – especially about finding your interests, and then building time into your schedule to nurture them. Great post!
Thanks, Nisha! In my definition, boredom is about not doing what you want to do and so…there are many people in that situation. If you are curious, like I think you are, there are so many things to learn…aren’t there? I appreciate your comment!
As Sherie states, I am never bored when I’m doing what I want to be doing. Interests, or lack thereof, are rarely the problem. The problem comes when we are trapped in a situation, often to pay the bills, where virtually all our time is spent doing what we don’t want to be doing. We watch as our life drifts past, our kids grow up, things we want to do pass us by. It leads to a real lack of motivation after a while. I got around it for some time simply by double- and triple-shifting. I literally did not sleep so I could do the things I really wanted to do–after the things I had to do–but that leads to burnout. One can’t keep it up forever.
Eva, instead of looking at bill paying as drudgery, try thinking in gratitude of the fact that you have the money to pay them (whether it’s easy or not) and grateful for the services they represent (the roof over your head, the lights that go on each time you flick the switch, the security in knowing you’d be covered if something happened to your car, etc.) I know it sounds silly, kind of Pollyana-ish, but it takes the sting out of what otherwise feels like a mundane, miserable task …
Sharon, what excellent insight!! Love it!
Sometimes shifting perspective can make a tremendous difference!
Absolutely, Nisha!!
Great post Sherie! I was stuck in a boring life, bordering on depression for a long time. But I’m getting better now and each day I get just that little bit closer to living my dream life. Thanks for the great tips! I will put them to use to bring me ever closer to my goals.
Way to go, Helena and thank you for commenting,dear!
Superb, Helena! I wish you all the success in finally getting the chance to live your dream life.
HI Sherie, there were some great statement that I really enjoyed reading; first of all your explenation of boredom: it is is not doing what you really want to do. People think they are depressed when they are bored, so true! We are all born for greatness and to conquer some land in our life. When we do this with a passion, our life is not bored but driven with passion
I tweeted your quote!! 
Absolutely, Olga! Thank you so much for tweeting the quote, I appreciate that!!
Brilliant that you’ve highlighted the difference between boredom and depression because although there are similarities they are two very different things. I’ve suffered with depression but I’ve never been bored. Yes I’ve had times when some days are horribly routine and mundane but that’s life. When I feel like this I usually combat it with a gratitude attitude as although my life isn’t wildly exciting, many would choose to be in my shoes rather than their own.
There definitely are two different things, Carolyn. An attitude of gratitude is a great way to approach it, thank you for your comment!
I’ve crossed that line a few times this year. Structure was definitely lacking. Delegration was also an issue. I think I also hadn’t been challenging myself enough to overcome a few things. Working in the right direction NOW, though! : )
Steve, I think it is a part of life, that kind of course correction. We all need to do it and how cool is it that you are going in the right direction, now? : D
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