Argh, I cannot stand it anymore, it's like bloody groundhog day

[CrackerNut]

The days just seem to run into one big long day of boringness, housework and feeling so fed up.

I think I could actualy die of boredom.

Ok, nevermind.

Same old same old

Can you do something completely different each day? Take some time for yourself?

Oh Dear

I do 1hr - tops - of housework when I get back from the school run

Then I've got the rest of the day ahead

Hmm not sure, I have tried to think of things but everything seems to cost money.

I did spend some time tidying the garden yesterday, clearing up leaves etc and that was nice, but can't do anymore out there now until I can afford to buy a couple of things.

I have all day to myself to do whatevet I like, only there isn't anything to do.

I so know what you mean, it gets so monotonous sometimes doesnt it? I was in a real pit of dispair about this a few weeks ago. I got a new bike and a trailer, now i chuck thekids in ther e and get some excercise each day, it really helps alot and i feel so much happier...I think the key is as others said to do something for yourself and to get out each day.

I am definatly in despair about it, it makes me feel so down.

I am counting the minutes until schol run time because at least once the dc get home it will be busy and noisey and anything can happen lol.

I have even been contemplating gettting a dog so I can go on long walks, but under no circumstances must anyone tell dd2 that I am even thining about it . Can't get one right now anyhow.

Don't you read, listen to the radio, sew, knit, have an ongoing project? Join your local library - take some college classes, research your family tree - if I didn't work I would never be bored at home.

Plant seeds, costs next to nothing. Sort out the clothes drawers, then reward yourself with a cup of tea. Wash some windows. Borrow a book from the library. Learn about something on wikipedia.

ummm. You do realise that you are allowed to go on long walks without a dog. You don't get sent home if they catch you.

I walk, knit, bake, read, workout, sell stuff on ebay, go to the library and have projects like painting old furniture. I also meet up at least once a week with people who make me laugh - even if it is just here or a coffee shop.
But as it is I don't get bored much. Too much to do

Nothing and I mean nothing will gorw in my garden, including the grass.

I know I can go for a walk without a dog, but it just seems a bit pointless then.

I am fed up of sorting clothes etc. Am down to start a college course in Sept but that is ages away.

I am nearly ready to take my driving test and so wish I could click my fingers and have it done as it would make so much difference.

do an open university / other course to learn a new skill or get a qualification

take up some regular exercise

do some volunteer work

... will make you lees fixated on how you're feeling...

I have today printed forms of for an OU Maths course, but that doesn't start until june.

I also applied for a voluntary post in a special needs nursery but they decided not take me up on the offer, although tbh i think it was an old ad and they no longer needed anyone.

fab! find someone who does wants your skills and time as a volunteer then.... samaritans / oxfam / childline??

crackernut
You are not bored. You are feeling low.

The point of going for a walk is that it helps your state of mind. The factthat you see a simple change of scenery that would lift you out of your routine as 'pointless' suggests that you are feeling something other than boredom.
It is rotten to feel like that. try a walk. Especially as the weather is good. It really does help.
I always start walking everywhere when I start feeling first stirrings of depression.

Or come here and I will lend you my dog . Except he takes you for a pull rather than you takinghim for a walk

Yep but I know what you mean - you can't escape the monotony

A hobby is useful tho. Do something cheap and cheerful - sewing/knitting doesn't require too much in the way of materials.

For sewing, you could get a book of crafts and make toys/pencil cases/bookmarks etc out of felt for DCs or early Christmas stocking fillers.

Make your own heirloom patchwork quilt - you could handsew it if no sewing machine, or to spin out the project longer.

Cook a new recipe every week, something fancy and different that requires your concentration.

Set yourself a challenge of always having a classic book on the go ie Jane Austen, Charles Dickens.

These are all small things you can pick up/put down quickly.

CrackerNut - how about being really strict with yourself about how much house work you and over what timescale. Lets say 2 hours very early in the day is house work where you work really hard on a specific set of taks and then the rest of the day is yours.

Sometimes when I have a horrible or boring job to do I promise myself a little reward at the end when I get through it. For you it just sound like one long never ending slog and that is very understandably pretty demotivating and boring.

For example, I have to deal with a lot of personal accounts and personal tax issues which I dislike but I am strict with myself and I timetable them. I also timetable my rewards. That might be a nice meal with my wife lasting all afternoon, or perhaps I might go shopping or perhaps I might decide to do some painting (art) or gardening or perhaps I might go to the local gym.

The thing is that I cannot go and do that nice thing until I have finshed the other horrible thing so that gives me motivation.

I also do most of the cleaning and cooking in our house so again I try to timetable this and work hard on it at a specific time rather than let it drag on. The worst thing I find is leaving stuff hanging over me. I get it out of the way and then I feel I can move on.

All the best - you sound awfully unhappy. Do you have a DP/DH you can talk to and maybe they can help?

I have tried most of the suggestions here, honestly I have.

I have tried to get into cooking more recently but I get disheartened when 2 out of 3 dc say they don't like it or something.
I have just ordered the stuff to make cheesecake though so can do that tommorow afternoon, or on Sunday if dd2 wants to help.

I think it is a mixture of feeling down and being bored.

I have never been very good with hobbies tbh. I did want to learn to iceskate but it's too far away so that will have to wait.

Oh and I don't have a dp/dh so can't talk to them. I have mentioned it to my friend but she is busy with her own stuff so I just rumble along on my own really.

Where do you live?

Sutton Coldfield

I think you should go and do some charity work.

Even working a few hours per week doing something for the community would make you think you were doing something worthwhile (which you would!)

Or go to school and be a parent teacher helper and listen to the children read. Go and talk to the HT at school and tell them you are available to do things at school with the hope of working at the school one day.

This is what I did and I am now a TA at my childrens school and hopefully FT in Sept when ds2 goes FT.

Do you help at your dc school? They are always desperate for parent volunteers to help with reading/bake bread whatever. Or what about the PTA? They seem to be even more desperate usually for people to help. We have just had an email appealing for people to help tomorrow with gift wrapping for Mothers' Day. You don't have to attend any meetings in order to help out.

Do you have friends you can meet for coffee, lunch, go walking with? I find that regularly meeting other adults, apart from at the school gate, makes a huge difference to my week.

What about joining a book group? They are mostly in the evening but your library may know of a daytime one.

Trouble is that I have very very low confidence so the thought of doing anything like helping in school etc fills me with dread. I'd not want to help in my dc'schol anyway tbh for various reasons.

I will have to have a think and see what I can come up with.

Can you volunteer at playgroups does anyone know ??

I meant can you volunter at a playgroup even if your child doesn't attend there.

what sort of reasons?

You do not have to help in your child's class.

You could ask if you could work in the nursery or reception and be CRB checked which you probably are already.

The school would be so grateful and it really could lead to a job.

Speak to someone on the PTA too to see if you can help raise funds for school. So worthwhile and it makes you feel good too.

Go on. Today. Do it!