Anybody else find life extremely mundane?

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I try to stay busy doing things, like writing, other I really would go crazy.

This may sound strange, but perhaps it's not satisfaction you should be looking for. I went through a fairly dark and inactive period of my life around 2008 (though you might not be able to tell from my activity on Wrong Planet starting in that year).

This slowly began to turn around when I started my job as a bookbinder and entered a fairly interesting work environment with cool colleagues; many of them had been hippies in the 60s, and I loved listening to their stories and views on the world and life, and that's part of the reason I decided to slowly engage in some activities beyond the lethargic life of lying on my bed, reading comics, listening to my CDs, and posting on message boards.

But I wasn't quite 'there' yet.

The entire process, lasting until now and still going on, of re-sparking my interest in life, was really a series of events that prodded me toward where I am now. Strangely, it mostly involved the input of other people; colleagues, teachers, even posters on message boards. At the end of the day, however, I did set out on my own.

But none of that is the point I want to make. The point is this: before, I had this notion that life was supposed to lead in a certain 'direction', that there were goals. My rigid notions about these 'goals', also meant I set such high standards and had such high expectations of them, that they could not be met. The slightest disappointment following a step toward a 'goal' of mine, the most minor of inconveniences, and I'd give up. This is how I actually became disillusioned with my very own hobbies (special interests by another name) I expected to achieve a certain proficiency in those hobbies at a certain age, and because I failed to meet those levels, I just dropped the hobbies altogether.

So what I do now is, I have no goals. I have no aspirations. I still don't have any hobbies, either. I just go where I want to go as the mood strikes me (and, admittedly, as far as money allows). This means that, if I don't feel like preparing for the exams I got scheduled, but instead want to read a Romanian dictionary front-to-back, I'm gonna do the latter. Or, if tomorrow I think to myself "Hey, I've never seen Milan before. I'll just jump on a train and go there", then I'm gonna do that. I've become a wildcard, an embracer of chaos. And I love it. I'm learning how to 'seize the day'. Not quite there yet, but I'm getting there.

Here are some good cures for boredom and empty wallets.

- Exercise. It generates mood boosting endorphins.

- Read funny stories and watch funny shows. Humor also generates endorphins.

- Eat healthy, and enough of it. A healthier diet will boost your immune system and is also good for your mind. Skimping on amount of food leads to depression, crankiness, and being more prone to get sick.

- Get enough rest. Being tired leads to depression, crankiness, and being more prone to get sick, too.

- Listen to and/or play music. This is mood boosting.

- Take courses, either in person, or online. Some of the online ones are free. The in person ones are a good way to meet people.

- Volunteer. There are people worse off than we are, who would really appreciate the help. It's also a good way to meet people, and boost your self image and mood.

- Take up a hobby or join a club. These are good ways to meet people who share your interests.

- Get involved in community activities. Attend town meetings, events at local libraries and other local organizations. Attend local sporting events, fairs, and art shows. Attend and/or participate in local theater groups. These are all great ways to meet people and boost your self image and mood.

- Employment/or self employment. Great way to meet people, boost self image, put money in your wallet, gain experience. Since you have been having trouble finding work as an employee, perhaps you should consider self employment. There are many types to choose from.

>> Lawn mowing/yard work/gardening.
>> House cleaning.
>> Errand/shopping service.
>> Wait for service people, so the home owner/renter doesn't have to take time off from work.
>> House/pet sitting.
>> House chores for the elderly/disabled.
>> Handyman.
>> Tutor.
>> Computer maintenance/repair.
>> Website design.
>> Other website based businesses.
>> Paint houses indoor/outdoor.

There are many other self employment opportunities. Your local libraries will have books with lists and descriptions of them, so look into it.

Now, go and do something, and good luck!

Everyday life is rather boring to me. That's one reason why I have an imaginary world - to keep my mind occupied.

CyclopsSumners I agree with you greatly. My life revolves around goals and achieving something. I can't imagine not having anything to achieve or learn about. I reckon I'd crack up if I didn't have these goals I set myself to achieve. But as you say the problem is for me is that they are completely unrealistic. I used to want to be a doctor but I wasn't clever enough so now I'm studying pharmacy in september. I used to want to be an amazing songwriter but I write average songs instead and that makes me really unhappy. I want to be a really good singer but I will never be able to do it because my voice sucks. So I end up beating myself up about all these things and trying to achieve perfection. I hope to one day achieve that nice relaxing no pressure balance you have achieved. I'm Jealous of you. Maybe it'll all come together when I get a bit older.

Questor - Tomorrow I'm going to make myself do some of those things. I really like your list. I'm going to save it in a word document and go back to it to help me with my boredom issues.

Thanks guys.

I think most people do. I actually don't. Although my life is boring, I find each day an adventure if I go out, because of all this anxiety of having to conform and worrying about how I appear to other people and so on.

''Just stepping out that door is an adventure'' ~ Margalo, from Stuart Little 2.

Often doing this makes me even more depressed when I'm depressed (which is not often at all)- then it also RUINS all the songs I listen to or play/learn during the time, because they are forever associated with the bad feelings. I went and ruined most of Erik Satie's work for myself doing that... which is a tragedy.

Kind of, though a lot of times I have feeling anxious and/or paranoid to keep me busy...but that is about the most excitement in my life.

Yes JoeRose. I do too.My pet died in my arms several weeks ago.I guess he was really the only thing that made the unbearable bearable.Charles Algernon Swineburne poem says. I am weary of days and hours, blown buds of barren flowers, Desires and dreams and powers. And of everything but sleep. The bard sublime also said "Oh God,oh God how weary stale and unprofitable seem to me all the cares of this life". I have thought of offing myself but don't want my family to suffer and I also don't like strange places and that's the ultimate strange place. I hope you feel better.

Life can be boring, but if one chooses to observe the leaders, managers, "intellects", etc. who make the news, one quickly realizes what a comedic tragedy life really is.

CyclopsSummers, love your approach! The degree to which you do it might be a bit much for me (psychologically, as well as financially), but a bit of that goes a long way and would probably benefit anybody. Very healthy, indeed!

Atomsk, are songs ruined because they're depressing and help to bring you down, or is it because any songs would be unhelpful and then get associated with bad feeling? If it's the former, try the Songs That Help You Cope thread for some good stuff. If it's the latter, please disregard. Or try listening to them when you're in a good mood, to help support it and to make more positive associations.

Yeah, daily.

A good day is one that sucks slightly less than average.

Happy Birthday!!

I hope life improves for you.

Well life seems from what i gather to be about a few things

You need to have bigger house than you're neighbours and friends, you need to have better job, you need to earn more money.

Life as i see it seems very shallow. It seems to be about just being better that everyone else.

I couldn careless about such nonsense tbh lol.

So far ive only wasted 28 years. not sure if i will ever find aynthing i wanna do. atm i just wanna be myself. i dont feel like i have to do anything in life, i take plessure in the small things.

People in the world they run around like mindless robots, its not a pretty sight, its like well there is some garbage on the street, god forbid someone would actually pick it up and do something that doesnt have an purpose for them.

It just seems very very shallow and people seem like mindless sheep :S

Same thing with the first few questions people ask you here, What job do you have? how much do you earn, do you have a big car? do you have a big house?. its all about show social status thingy.

I actually think the less we learn the happier we might be. I must be awesome for those few humans who still live untouched by modern world and just live in peace. Kinda envy them a lot.

Whenever I find life to be boring, which is frequently, I find a new topic to study and engage people about. Currently it's odd animals, bugs, and plants, like the 6 species of river dolphins, which I was not aware even existed, or Venus Flytraps, which have a 20-second trip-timer to avoid accidental closure. Before that, it was space and technology.

They may not want to hear about it when the conversation starts, but I'll keep pulling out more stuff until something engages them beyond "that's cool". (The people I talk to frequently are used to this by now. ^_^)

Never let shallow people tell you what life is about. If you don't like someone else's answer, decide on one of your own. It's your life, after all.

To me, life is about learning, teaching, helping, giving, and other values I've defined for myself. I've even devoted a written work, which I have in electronic form at my Website, to my approach. I don't mind if others disagree with me, but I will NEVER let them tell me these things are wrong for me! I know who I am!