Boredom

I am well aware that I have had a lifelong issue with boredom. But it was the moment when I was making a word document on my computer, I only had two more things to add when boredom hit me, and I didn't want to finish. I was 2 minutes until done and I wanted to do something else. It was at that moment that I realized how often this happens to me. All too often, I have to be stern with myself and force myself to finish what I start. The only thing that will keep me focused to finish, is the fact I like things done, more than nearly done.   

Boredom is defined as the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest. For me I don't start out being weary and restless, I just end up that way. 

Some nights I will say to myself at bedtime, "I am going to do nothing tomorrow". Then I get up in the morning and think doing nothing is a waste of my life. Every day should hold something new and exciting. It is getting harder to lead a new and exciting life at my age, but the hunt is on.  

How do I deal with boredom? Well, I looked at my house, and it is set up in stations. Much like a kindergarten room. I have my knitting, my computer, my cards for solitaire. I am thinking I will set up a puzzle. I can lose myself in a puzzle, it is never boring. I never tire or find it boring to go on a drive to see new towns or countryside. 

Baking is often my go to for boredom. I never reach for one recipe when I am baking, I reach for at least 3. I am a very organized baker. I have a process, set the oven, pull out the mixer, blend the eggs, margarine, sugar. Put the parchment or grease the pans and add remaining ingredients to mixer and in a few minutes, it is in the oven. The most organized, but probably the messiest. If I plan to make bread or buns, I get the bread machine out the night before. It is not to save the 10 seconds in the morning; it is a reminder this is the first thing you will do when you get up!!!

Many people fear boredom in retirement and say it is why they don't retire. That was not an issue for me and still isn't. I am a master at offsetting boredom. I spend an incredible amount of time writing on my computer. I take on projects, organizing events is my favorite. I like to organize on paper and that works for me as I can be a very detail orientated. Bored people struggle with control issue. I have learned that I don't have to control every situation, unless, no one is controlling it, or it gets out of control, and needs to be controlled, and then I can help. Bored people are efficient, because they know that they need to get it done before boredom sets in and they want to bail. 

I am selective in what I want to do. Even though you would think I would do anything to not get bored, that is not the case. Cleaning for instance is boring, and I have to force myself to do it. My cleaning standards are poor, but my neat standards remain high. 

It is paramount that bored people have something to look forward to. When I ask a person, "what are you going to do today?" and the answer is, "I don't know". I am dumbfounded. Clearly, they didn't lay awake at night processing what they were going to do the next day. 

I had a long conversation at lunch with a friend about being bored. I believe there are so many of us out there that struggle with it. I am sure those of you that are like me, are shaking your head with agreement. Those that don't struggle with boredom, you are relieved you don't. The one thing to appreciate about being a person that bores easily, you get lots done and are rarely boring to be around.