Do You Feel Bored with Life? Here’s Why & What to Do About It

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Stop feeling dissatisfied (and start feeling fulfilled)
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Are you feeling stuck or like you’re living in a constant cycle with each day being the same? If so, you’re not alone. Feeling bored with your life is a completely normal experience, but it can definitely be a frustrating (even painful) experience. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to break out of this boredom cycle and avoid burnout. We talked to mental health experts and our staff members to bring you the best advice. Keep reading to learn why you feel bored with life and how to cope.

Section 1 of 5:

Why do you feel bored with life?

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    Boredom occurs when your energy isn’t being channeled into something that gives you purpose or fulfillment. [1] Because of this, when you’re bored, you don’t feel engaged or find it difficult to complete tasks. [2] Being bored with life can feel like you’re burnt out—tired of the same mundane things over and over again. But why is that? Here are some of the most common causes:
    • You're feeling unchallenged: Too easy goals, routine tasks, and repetitive activities can hinder how you feel day to day. [3]
    • You're lacking fulfilling relationships : Not feeling heard, loved, or supported can make you feel bored even in a room full of people.
    • You're struggling to find time for passions: Not doing things you love can cause you to feel stuck or unmotivated.
    • You're focusing on the "shoulds:" Comparing yourself to others and aiming for things just out of reach (instead of focusing on the good) can make you feel hopeless and unfulfilled.
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Section 2 of 5:

Is it normal to feel bored with life?

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    Boredom is a part of the human experience—it’s totally natural to feel bored with life every once in a while. Everyone’s felt boredom at least once in their life. [4] And most people have felt boredom on a deeper level and for an extended period before, too. You’re not alone. What’s important is to pay attention to your feelings and to focus on things that bring you the most joy. There are tons of ways to do this, and we'll go through them below. [5]
    • Even the pros feel bored with life every now and then! Professional basketball player Taylor Rochestie sees his boredom as just another human emotion: “Every emotion is meant to be felt. Being bored, being angry, being frustrated, being happy—they're all emotions that are great.”
Section 3 of 5:

What to Do When You’re Bored with Life

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    Setting goals can help give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment—there’s nothing better than finally achieving what you’ve set out to do! [6] So, give yourself small daily and/or larger goals to work towards. [7]
    • For example, you might set a goal to walk a mile each day, read 30 books in a year, or develop the best cookie recipe.
    • Let's put it to practice: Say you want to start small. Perhaps you set a goal for yourself to make your bed every morning or cook something new for dinner. Even the smallest things can help you feel more at peace or give you something to look forward to.
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    Spending time with others who don’t respect you or your boundaries can make you feel uneasy, depressed, and confused. [8] Think about those closest to you—how do you feel after you’re around them? If their presence brings negativity or you’re constantly worried around them, it may be time to step away .
    • Friendships come and go—that’s a part of life! It's okay to fall in and out of relationships. Just because someone may not fit your life right now doesn't mean you have to forget all the good times you did have.
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    Surrounding yourself with positive people can instantly boost your mood. [9] So, ask a friend out for coffee, take a spontaneous trip with your roommates, or schedule weekly dinners with your family. If your friends and family live far away, make it a routine to call them when you have a few minutes.
    • For example, schedule a fun trip each year with your besties to give yourself something fun to look forward to! Maybe you go on a cruise together or rent a cozy cabin during the holidays.
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    When something good happens in your life, make a record of it. Try keeping a gratitude journal or taking photos of things that make you smile. This can help you shift your focus and remember that there is good in life—not every moment is stagnant. [10]
    • Make a scrapbook or Pinterest board full of things that make you smile. Then, when you feel bored or down, you can open it up and get an immediate dopamine boost!
    • If it's hard to see the good right now, that's okay. We all go through rough patches—you're not alone. Go at your own pace, and do what's best for you.
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    Sometimes, feeling stuck stems from a consistent routine. [11] While routines are important, for some, it can lead to boredom. Shake things up by trying something new each day or changing the order in which you do things. Your routine can still stay relatively the same, just with little sprinkles of differences throughout.
    • For example, have something different for breakfast each day or take a different route to work.
    • Let's put it to practice: Say you wake up and instead of having a granola bar, you treat yourself to a fancy smoothie. Then, at work, maybe you decide to take a walk to an area of the office you've never been to before.
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    If you like doing something, keep doing it! Do your best to avoid things that make you feel disconnected from yourself and your purpose. Instead, integrate activities that spark joy into your daily routine. [12]
    • As with anything, remember to be reasonable. For instance, you may not be able to not go to work because it doesn’t spark joy, but you can bring your favorite snack to eat with you on a break.
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    Challenging yourself to learn and grow can help make your life more exciting and give you something to look forward to each day. [13] Try picking up a new language, taking on a craft, or reading an interesting book.
    • Challenge yourself to learn or do something new each week. Maybe one weekend, you try rock climbing, and the next, you step out of your comfort zone and go to a concert alone.
    • If you're struggling to find something new to try or learn, don't stress! Ask a friend or loved one about what they like to do and seeing if you can tag along, or write a list of activities on pieces of paper, throw them in a hat, and choose one at random.
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    We know it sounds cheesy, but taking a breath of fresh air really makes a difference! When you’re feeling stuck or bored with life, step outside and just breathe. Go for a walk around the block, take a hike, or simply sit on the lawn. Nature helps promote happiness, and it may even help you see your life more clearly. [14]
    • Ask a friend to spend time in nature with you! This is a great way to get your daily dose of sunshine while also being social.
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    In some cases, you may feel stuck because you’re not fulfilling your greater purpose. Take a moment to think about your job or career—are you happy at work? Are you doing something you love? If not, maybe it’s time to consider trying something new. [15]
    • We know this isn’t feasible for everyone. Life can be tricky, and a job change may not be doable right now. If that’s the case, take a deep breath, keep your options open, and take each day as it comes.
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Section 4 of 5:

How do you overcome feeling bored with life?

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    While it may sound cliche, the best way to cure boredom is to do what makes you happy. It may not be possible to cut out all negativities or draining activities in your life, but you can still prioritize positive ones. Balance draining activities with ones that bring you joy to help fill your cup and lower the chance of boredom and burnout. [16]
    • This can look like going to work in the morning and seeing friends in the evening or cleaning the house and then watching a new movie.
    • As life coach Guy Reichard recommends, find what’s meaningful to you by “discovering, clarifying, and prioritizing your personal values.”
Section 5 of 5:

Editor’s Advice

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We asked our staff writers to share their experiences and advice. Here’s what they said.

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    “While I strive on my daily routine, the repetition and mundaneness of it often leave me feeling like I’m stuck in a loop, with each day being exactly the same. To break out of this Groundhog Day cycle, I try switching up a few things in my routine. I do a different yoga flow each morning, cook a different dinner each night, and schedule outings after work.” - Staff Writer Aly R.
    • Her advice: “Switch up a few minor things in your routine to make each day a bit different than the last. This way, the routine is still the same, but the elements are slightly different.”
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    “Usually when I feel bored with life, it’s a sign I haven’t been dedicating enough time to creative or personal pursuits. I feel most energized when I’m delving into a personal project or something I care deeply about, like making art or volunteering for a cause I believe in—anything that makes me feel more ‘alive’ and like I’m contributing to the world.” - Staff Writer Dev M.
    • Her advice: “Identify tiny moments or ideas or objects that pique your interest, even if they seem small or silly. Follow them like Hansel and Gretel following breadcrumbs, and it’ll typically lead you to more excitement and passion eventually.”
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    “I’m definitely guilty of using my downtime to scroll social media and start comparing my life to what I’m seeing online. I have to remind myself that only about 0.1% of the people I follow have an actually extraordinary life—the rest of us are just posting highlights! Most of what makes our daily lives interesting or entertaining doesn’t make a good Instagram post.” - Staff Writer Dan H.
    • His advice: “Put your phone down and let yourself be bored for a few minutes. Eventually, your thoughts will turn to your friends, creative ideas, happy memories, or plans for the future that make you feel excited and fulfilled.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10342197/
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/boredom
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201706/eight-reasons-why-we-get-bored
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10342197/
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202306/why-we-get-bored-and-how-to-overcome-it
      6. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/goal-setting
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202306/why-we-get-bored-and-how-to-overcome-it
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/202306/why-toxic-people-are-so-harmful
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/boredom
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10342197/
      3. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/wellbeing/
      4. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/wellbeing/
      5. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/
      6. ↑ https://hbr.org/2019/03/facing-your-mid-career-crisis
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202306/why-we-get-bored-and-how-to-overcome-it

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