To Be Bored With My Life?

[Gumps]

I can't discuss this in real life as it really does sound like first world problems. I have a lovely family, a nice house and I run my own business. However I am so bored. My business now runs itself and the kids don't need me as much as they are teenagers. My DH works away from home for long periods of time but when he is home we have a great relationship. I walk the dog and go to the gym. I have lots of friends.
I just wake up in the morning and think what is my purpose today? I have no where to be and nothing to do other than clean the house and food shop.
I've tried talking to people in real life but they just say oh poor you, please swap with me. I would love to be one of those driven people who have lots of goals but I just don't.

I don’t think OP is depressed she’s just bored.

You need to find a hobby/activity OP.

gonna go

Would you consider joining the board of directors of an arts organisation? I don't know where you live but the city I'm in has an opera house, several theatres & galleries & artists studios & they have boards of directors - voluntary positions & they're regularly seeking people with specific skill sets such as business, legal, hr, marketing , comms etc to advise & steer the organisations.

You'd get to put your own experience & networks to v good use, learn & connect with a whole new artwork & get to attend the events of your organisation etc it's a win win in my opinion

I'd also look at studying. Constant learning is really energising. Lots you could do around school runs. Either in person if you have a university in your town or city or online.

Pick a subject purely because you're interested in it and go from there. In my case it's art & literature & history .you might be the same. Immersing yourself in a subject unlocks so much more. I've done several online courses in both of these areas & it's lead to new friends who are interested in similar + travel to see / experience the things I've studied etc - so incredibly interesting & I love having the time & space to pursue my own interests & think its really healthy for my dc to also see this. I still have to work full time though so I do this around working- you have the real advantage there!

I am in a slightly similar position OP. I don't have a business that runs itself, but I do have a job that I enjoy but have been doing for many years now so I don't find it as challenging as I used to, and my DC are teens and need me a lot less these days (this is the key change for me), so I suddenly seem to have spare time on my hands. I work 4 days a week, and my day off was always busy busy busy trying to fit in everything on my to do list. In the last few months I've unexpectedly found myself sitting around on my day off without much to do! DH works long hours.

I could go full time I suppose. It seems a bit pointless though - we don't need the money and I'm in my 50s so I was expecting to start winding down career-wise rather than stepping up.

Cancel the cleaner? What would be the point of that - I hate cleaning!

Travel? I work 4 days and have secondary school age kids so not really an option (beyond the normal family holidays that we do anyway).

Volunteering? I do have a volunteer role, but I must admit that I don't actually find it that much more interesting / rewarding than my paid job.

Socialising? I have a fairly active social life, I'm happy with that.

Hobbies? I like exercising and I'm trying to increase that. I like reading and I already read a lot. I can't really think of anything else I'm passionate about!

Maybe I should just embrace the pottering, and not feel guilty / lazy / like I need a higher purpose!

Wow I'm overwhelmed by the response I've had. Thank you so much to everyone that has taken the time to reply.
I thought about it a great deal last night and I think the DCs gaining their independence is huge for me. Life was always so busy and revolved around the 3 of them. Now they need me less, I have time on my hands that I just don't know what to do with. I love being a mum and it was all I ever wanted to be. The next stage is daunting.
Workwise I grew a successful business with what I perceived as minimal effort. My DH is constantly giving me praise but I find it hard to accept as it wasn't difficult and gives me little satisfaction mentally. I hadn't actually thought that mental stimulation might be what is missing so this is definitely something I will pursue. I enjoy learning and love organising stationary and files 😁
I am very much a people person and working from home really doesn't suit me. I miss the buzz of a work place. A volunteering placement is top of my list and I've signed up on the London Mayor site.
I was nervous to post and expected a lot of backlash, so thank you again for all the positive posts and ideas.

Yes, I feel that deeply too - there's a guilt around not "doing" something all of the time. I think we've all taken the message to heart that time is short and productivity is the most important thing. It takes a long time to learn to smell the roses.

On that, I actually look forward to dog walks and chats with my friends the most. We go for a couple of hours most weekends. I think you need a balance of doing the basics, having a small project, having good food and good company.