God, I am so bored all the time now...is this normal?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 11-11-2008, 11:51 PM

I could be doing something, but I always end up being bored. Surfing the web doesn't cure it. Going outside doesn't make it better. I could be knee-deep into something and I feel like I'm bored out of my mind. I've been doing the 'change of scenery' since YDS went to school and we've been working on the house. We got the kids' playroom hooked up with cable TV and their computer will be set up for internet this week. We haven't been eating out, haven't been overly spending (we did get a KVM switch and an Ethernet Bridge for the internet connection downstairs - the switch is for DH's work), and are watching more TV lately. I've worked with YDS on his writing and he's making such great strides! I've even gotten a hold of the new David Archuleta CD and been planning out our eat-at-home challenge routine.

I just can't shake this boredom feeling I'm having. Is it a normal thing when you get older?

I feel so

but I'm really not. I have gained a lot of weight lately and I think that might be part of it. I just feel sluggish and not all that interested in doing anything.

**Nana2two** · 11-11-2008, 11:57 PM

Yes the weight gain will cause you to feel sluggish, Not to mention the emotional feelings.I have found if i drink lots of water it helps. I get very bored very easy.

**Lilolme** · 11-11-2008, 11:59 PM

Mercy, I can so relate with you on this! No matter how busy my day is I'm just 'bored'. Nothing really seems to cure it for me either. I have put on about 30 pounds in the last year too, hmm, this could be it I suppose. I was thinking that maybe I just got myself into a rut. Wish I could offer some advice...I guess all I can really tell you is that you are not alone with the way you are feeling.

**tmffv** · 11-12-2008, 12:11 AM

I've definately gone through times like you've mentioned. Could it possibly be the change in season/shorter days?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 11-12-2008, 12:15 AM

I think it might be the weight gain and the change in the season. I love the summer because it gives me the motivation to lose weight and to stay thin, to get out and to do things. I grew up with a very high metabolism and now that it's not as good, I'd love to get back to working out. The trouble with it is that I have a gym membership that I can't use because a) I don't get the motivation to go and b) going to the gym is only able to be done while YDS and ODS are at school, which gives me 3 hours to go over and work out.

I have been wanting to write a book lately and maybe starting some Pilates at home would be a big help.

**tmffv** · 11-12-2008, 12:23 AM

I know that when I exercise on a regular basis I'm just a happier person in general. I go through cycles where I'm exercising often and then it slowly drops till I get in a rut of inactivity. I hate those ruts!

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-12-2008, 12:35 AM

I have periods like that too. I'm currently looking for something interesting and exciting to do in the afternoon between housework and dinner. The weather is crappy so I can't go out. We don't have money to throw at entertainment. I've quilted and sewed and crafted entirely too much over the years, and little is new to me. I feel like a drug addict looking for the next "high", and that's not far from the reality of it. Our brains crave stimulation and the feeling of excitement and achievement that comes with it.

Sorry I don't have a solution for you, but I do know what you're going through.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 11-12-2008, 01:15 AM

Yeah with money being tighter lately, we have less options now that it's getting colder outside. We did recently put our old television into the kids' playroom and hook up cable TV for them, which didn't need an extra converter box and they get the 52 channels they really like having (all of their cartoon channels are included, which frees up the living room television). We also put the VCR in there and I have some older Pilates videos that I can use in the room. It's carpeted and pretty large, so I have room to move.

I found that Pilates and Yoga really helped me to relax and gave me tons of energy without having to put out a whole lot of effort. It helped me make myself lean and trim, so I might give that a shot again. I really love running, though, and until it warms up again I can't run unless I want to be in the ER.

**frugalbabe** · 11-12-2008, 01:44 AM

Yeah I know what you mean I almost feel like life has gotten too easy...does that sound weird? I have been raising babies for so long and now suddenly my youngest is almost 3 and two are in school. I can accomplish everything I need in my house in a matter of an hour and like someone else mentioned I have sewn and crafted forever and I am kind of in a rut as far as that goes. I think I need to start school again or something and just take fun classes like poly-sci or history. I had just started on my masters degree when I got pregnant with my oldest and I really missed the stimulation of school after I left.

**PrairieRose** · 11-12-2008, 08:48 AM

I think that most of us go through those phases in our lives. I've learned a few things as I've ummm matured (ahem, ok gotten older dangit). If I'll work out a routine that keeps my house in order and stick to it, I feel better. Somedays I don't want to do it all but if I do, I'm happier. If I'll take some time every day to get some form of exercise I feel lots better (I love yoga and pilates as well as my gazelle which gives me a butt kickin' cardio workout, I'm trying to love weight lifting but don't---even though I still make myself do some of it). If I'll 'fix myself up' everyday I feel better. And when I get all that done and the laundry I'm out of time to be bored...

Also, reading some---other than on the computer makes me feel better for some reason and if all else fails, do one thing for someone else (other than your immediate family) every few days. That always makes me feel better. Hth. (you won't get bored if you stay busy....after a while you get out of that 'loop', honestly)

**forHISglory** · 11-12-2008, 09:43 AM

Interesting question........ Does gaining weight lead to more feelings of boredom, or does boredom lead to gaining weight? (for the record, I don't know the answer.....)

But I think it's normal to go thru phases like this. Look around you for someone to help, and that might jumpstart your activity again.

**Russ** · 11-12-2008, 09:55 AM

Set some goals but not too big that you get discouraged.

For example: Lets say you want to lose 25 lbs.

Which sounds more difficult?

I have to lose 25lbs this year.
I have to lose 2 lbs per month this year.

So, set yourself some mini goals for you to reach for.

1. I will walk to the end of the block every other day. ( I bet if you start you walk farther

)

2. I'm going to read one chapter of one book a month. ( chapter is done, I might as well read another)

see how it works?

Parsimonious · 11-12-2008, 10:59 AM

You might try something intellectually and/or artistically challenging. What about writing a novel, learning a foreign language, making a documentary movie? These things 'keep you thinking' even when you're not working on them (rethinking your novel's plot under the shower, imagining how something would look on video while taking your walk, trying to translate short dialogs while doing the dishes).

Or do something crazy, something you'd never believed you'd do. For me, 'something crazy' was taking dancing lessons

, I don't know what it would be for you. Just something that's the total opposite of what people would expect from you, or what you would normally consider doing. Just try not to do "more of the same thing" (e.g. if watching TV bores you out of your wits, watching even more TV just won't do the trick).

What I do quite regularly is going through my daily activities and asking myself "Do I need to do this (to earn money, to keep the apartment clean, to keep the cat alive) or do I enjoy this?" If I answer "no" on both counts, this activity will disappear from my life. This takes a lot of unnecessary and boring things out of your life, and leaves gaps you can fill with useful or fun things.

**pip** · 11-12-2008, 11:29 AM

I've been feeling bored during the day, too. I'm looking for a little part time job right now. I suppose if I find one, I'll have to make myself commit to going there. I've been at home for quite some time and am used to the time being my own!

toile · 11-12-2008, 12:44 PM

I don't know your age or if this is the norm, but I discovered I was crafty at 40?
I never cared for crafts at all. None of them appealed to me, even scrapbooking.

I now learn something everyday, sometimes several things a day.
If my kids were not both getting braces I would taking photography, computer (apple/mac), art, and sewing classes.

Did you know there are tons of new, modern crafts that you can learn free online?
Free tutorials or even videos at YouTube.
Theres almost like a schoolish area at YouTube I hang out at.

I am very domestic though.
Are you?
what are your interests?

I have been a homemaker for ever though so I have had time to figure out how to spend my time I guess LOL.