Need inspiration - feeling bored and unchallenged

[FeelingBored]

I would love your suggestions and experiences. I’m mid-40s, a single parent with a teenager. I’ve got a decent professional career and consider myself really fortunate. Also nice friends and get on well with family.

I’m just feeling so fricking bored at the moment! I know this is partly pandemic and WFH related. I seriously considered changing career but couldn’t justify the expense and stress of retraining when I’ve got a perfectly good job that I’m good at and pays well. I’d love to pick up and move across the country but am tied here for family reasons for at least 5 more years.

I’m just craving novelty and stimulation! I want to feel excited about something! What should I try/what have you done to get yourself out of a similar rut?

What problem in the world are you most passionate about? What is the solution? Start researching, and putting together ideas. Talk to experts, self educate and then create change. If everyone did this, however small-scale, the world we leave our children would be so much greater than the one we inherited.

Skipping! I got inspired by Lauren Jumps.

@MistySkiesAfterRain

Skipping! I got inspired by Lauren Jumps.

What a cool suggestion - I love this! I hadn’t heard of Lauren Jumps or even realised skipping was a thing. I’m going to look into it more - thanks!

@sergeilavrov

What problem in the world are you most passionate about? What is the solution? Start researching, and putting together ideas. Talk to experts, self educate and then create change. If everyone did this, however small-scale, the world we leave our children would be so much greater than the one we inherited.

I think you’ve put your finger on something there, Sergei. I used to feel hugely passionate about changing the world and now I don’t even know how to answer your question. I will ponder on that.

Is it hobbies you're after or something more?

Could be either - something to make me feel alive and with a spring in my step. (I do have hobbies that I enjoy.)

Volunteering is such a cliche, but it could be a good idea. We have a couple of non-official foodbanks that are desperate for help. (They started during the pandemic and have carried on).

What about something extreme? Book flying lessons, or jump out of a plane?

I think that trying different things could be the key, as well as meeting new people.

What are your current hobbies?

Yes DonLewis, that’s exactly what I need, I love meeting new people! I do have a pretty substantial volunteering role, but it’s rather full of responsibility and serious (esp during Covid) so I’ve already said I’ll do one more year and step down so I can something a bit more people-facing in my volunteering time. Food bank or similar would really suit me.

My current hobbies are quite ‘quiet’ although I do love them - dog walking, long country walks with friends at weekends, nature/wildlife, reading, book group.

I've noticed a community centre near me is hosting a knitting group. You go along, knit and meet new people. Now the knitting might not be your thing, but is there anything like that that you could see yourself doing? Then you can look up that activity and see what's on. Also, as we approach September, have you considered an adult education course? We have a couple of centres that offer these and it's not just things like GCSE maths, there's forniture restoration, family history, and more.

Could be worth checking out?

Hope you find something.