3 ms·

I don't think life is _necessarily_ boring as you claim. It's just that a lot about life is boring, particularly working at a job you don't intrinsically enjoy

I don't think life is _necessarily_ boring as you claim. It's just that a lot about life is boring, particularly working at a job you don't intrinsically enjoy as well as things like commuting, preparing/waiting for food, etc. But a best friend? A delicious meal? Making love? Learning something you want to know about? I could go on. If you're bored, it's because your life is structured to not contain any of the things that make you feel alive, or you are a boring person.

switchbak 4y ago
I thought his point was valuable, but you're right - life is certainly not all boring. But it's important to be able to dwell in boredom, or "less exciting" things. I think it's fundamentally about purpose. If you know that your work allows you to do the things you love, and you can find any joy in it, then it's possible to be content with the trade. If you can't find joy in the job: you have some soul searching to do. Is it that the job just sucks? (they're out there) Or are you having trouble enjoying life generally? It sounds like it's more of the latter. If so, the job isn't the problem and a new one won't be the solution. When I've felt like that, what's helped is to change my environment. Really seek out things I feel driven to do (hobbies, new sports, exploration, etc). Learn new things, meet new people. Take some vacation. Quit seeking cheap gratification and invest in myself in ways I feel good about (working out, being active, helping people, meditating/etc). Be honest about your situation, is there something secretly driving you nuts that you could fix but are avoiding awareness of? And doing drugs, binging on shows, video games - these will sap you of your own internal reservoir of drive, and probably make you feel bad right after you've done it. Kind of like junk food for the mind. In the interium, I'd say forget about the video game (and don't shame yourself on that) and just pick very small things to play with intellectually. The goal should be something modest and achievable that you're genuinely driven towards. Do something small achievable that you'll feel good about, and just do it. Do this a few times, and congratulate yourself on the achievement (focus on the benefit of the learning or effort). Make this a pattern, and you'll start to dig out of the hole.

switchbak 4y ago

I thought his point was valuable, but you're right - life is certainly not all boring. But it's important to be able to dwell in boredom, or "less exciting" things. I think it's fundamentally about purpose. If you know that your work allows you to do the things you love, and you can find any joy in it, then it's possible to be content with the trade. If you can't find joy in the job: you have some soul searching to do. Is it that the job just sucks? (they're out there) Or are you having trouble enjoying life generally? It sounds like it's more of the latter. If so, the job isn't the problem and a new one won't be the solution. When I've felt like that, what's helped is to change my environment. Really seek out things I feel driven to do (hobbies, new sports, exploration, etc). Learn new things, meet new people. Take some vacation. Quit seeking cheap gratification and invest in myself in ways I feel good about (working out, being active, helping people, meditating/etc). Be honest about your situation, is there something secretly driving you nuts that you could fix but are avoiding awareness of? And doing drugs, binging on shows, video games - these will sap you of your own internal reservoir of drive, and probably make you feel bad right after you've done it. Kind of like junk food for the mind. In the interium, I'd say forget about the video game (and don't shame yourself on that) and just pick very small things to play with intellectually. The goal should be something modest and achievable that you're genuinely driven towards. Do something small achievable that you'll feel good about, and just do it. Do this a few times, and congratulate yourself on the achievement (focus on the benefit of the learning or effort). Make this a pattern, and you'll start to dig out of the hole.