Extreme boredom

[Anglewannabe]

For quite a while, (I would go so far as to say years), I have been feeling a LOT of boredom. I use to be VERY good at getting off the couch and doing things such as bringing a book to read in the park, visiting a museum and volunteering. These things have simply warn me out.

I read once in a book that often, Christians are told to volunteer to help them feel good. The problem is, when a Christian is empty, giving just drains them out more. Giving needs to come form a place of over abundance to really make the giver be happier. And I believe that to be true.

The only time I really feel joy is before I go to sleep I read books about the Catholic religion (either the life of the saint, a theology or a self-help book). And this has nothing to do with the company I keep. I have found uncharitable people to be in equal proportions inside and outside of the church.

I sometimes think this is the struggle I need to overcome to be closer to God. To find contentment in the little things. And on a good day, it is the task I want to take on. However, not all days are good And I also start to feel like a misfit. Few people take interest in the things I take interest in (such as the lives of the saints). Most talk about it as if it is a life to be pitied nor admired.

So, in essence, I am babbling but I just really wish there was a better solution to my boredom

Angie

 

[GEddie]

For quite a while, (I would go so far as to say years), I have been feeling a LOT of boredom. I use to be VERY good at getting off the couch and doing things such as bringing a book to read in the park, visiting a museum and volunteering. These things have simply warn me out.

I read once in a book that often, Christians are told to volunteer to help them feel good. The problem is, when a Christian is empty, giving just drains them out more. Giving needs to come form a place of over abundance to really make the giver be happier. And I believe that to be true.

The only time I really feel joy is before I go to sleep I read books about the Catholic religion (either the life of the saint, a theology or a self-help book). And this has nothing to do with the company I keep. I have found uncharitable people to be in equal proportions inside and outside of the church.

I sometimes think this is the struggle I need to overcome to be closer to God. To find contentment in the little things. And on a good day, it is the task I want to take on. However, not all days are good And I also start to feel like a misfit. Few people take interest in the things I take interest in (such as the lives of the saints). Most talk about it as if it is a life to be pitied nor admired.

So, in essence, I am babbling but I just really wish there was a better solution to my boredom

Angie

Find a spiritual advisor.

This may be a spiritual phase you are going through, or then again, you may just be burnt out and need to recover.

ICXC NIKA

 

[waanju]

For quite a while, (I would go so far as to say years), I have been feeling a LOT of boredom. I use to be VERY good at getting off the couch and doing things such as bringing a book to read in the park, visiting a museum and volunteering. These things have simply warn me out.
Is it possible that your lack of energy for the things you used to enjoy has some physiological root? Thyroid problems, depression, just plain old getting old, lots of things can have that effect. Maybe you ought to see a doctor. If feeling “worn out” is something that can be fixed, then you should do so.

I read once in a book that often, Christians are told to volunteer to help them feel good. The problem is, when a Christian is empty, giving just drains them out more. Giving needs to come form a place of over abundance to really make the giver be happier. And I believe that to be true.
]Well, volunteering might make many “feel good”, but that’s not the reason why we volunteer. Instead, you give to others out of love, even when it’s a sacrifice. That’s not to say you ought to kill yourself by spending energy you don’t have, just that the purpose of giving isn’t to make you happier (though it’s often a nice side effect).

The only time I really feel joy is before I go to sleep I read books about the Catholic religion (either the life of the saint, a theology or a self-help book). And this has nothing to do with the company I keep. I have found uncharitable people to be in equal proportions inside and outside of the church.
Well, why do those books make you happy? do you meditate on them? Maybe you could try setting aside some time DURING the day to do the same thing. Then, you’d have TWO moments of joy each day. People are people everywhere. Our happiness isn’t in other people’s hands (or it shouldn’t be).

I sometimes think this is the struggle I need to overcome to be closer to God. To find contentment in the little things. And on a good day, it is the task I want to take on. However, not all days are good And I also start to feel like a misfit. Few people take interest in the things I take interest in (such as the lives of the saints). Most talk about it as if it is a life to be pitied nor admired.
Contentment doesn’t have to mean excitement or giddiness. It can mean peace in knowing that you’re serving God. Perhaps try a few little things each day (start little, a few minutes) to offer actions to God.

So, in essence, I am babbling but I just really wish there was a better solution to my boredom

Angie

I don’t really know if any of that is helpful, but I’ll pray for you.

 

[nodito]

Angie,

The advice to find a spiritual director is a good one.

The fact that you feel worn out going to a park to read a book gives me pause. I also wonder, do you get 7-8 hours of sleep and night and are you exercising daily? Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and designed by God to need exercise and sleep. I think our ennui/listlessness can sometimes be the result of the failing to meet our basic needs.

Just a suggestion. If you haven’t evaluated that aspect of your life, you might consider setting some exercise and sleep goals and seeing if meeting those doesn’t give you the energy and drive to fulfill whatever God may be calling you to do at this moment in time.

 

[Allegra]

I think volunteering is a way to discover the abundance you didn’t know you had. I sort of ashamed to say, I volunteered a lot more when I had a lot less than I have now. It made me feel good to know that I could contribute, even though I didn’t have any money, or a good job, or a whole lot of spare time. Now, I get that feeling through being a wife, a mother, and a teacher, so I’m not as motivated. I’m looking forward to my kids being old enough to participate in volunteering because I think that would really motivate me as well. I loved volunteering as a child.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Check your diet and exercise routine.

It might be off.

Also, many will disagree in here, but Yoga Exercise is very beneficial for the body as well as the mind.

Jim

 

[pianistclare]

no no no no no

Giving does not drain you.
Give fills you.
Volunteer.
You will get so much out of it. Much more than whatever you could do for a lonely person, a hungry person, a dying person, an imprisoned person, a child who needs tutoring, an elder that needs a ride to Mass.
It does not drain.
If that were so , no one would want children or love them.
Get out and help someone!

For quite a while, (I would go so far as to say years), I have been feeling a LOT of boredom. I use to be VERY good at getting off the couch and doing things such as bringing a book to read in the park, visiting a museum and volunteering. These things have simply warn me out.

I read once in a book that often, Christians are told to volunteer to help them feel good. The problem is, when a Christian is empty, giving just drains them out more. Giving needs to come form a place of over abundance to really make the giver be happier. And I believe that to be true.

The only time I really feel joy is before I go to sleep I read books about the Catholic religion (either the life of the saint, a theology or a self-help book). And this has nothing to do with the company I keep. I have found uncharitable people to be in equal proportions inside and outside of the church.

I sometimes think this is the struggle I need to overcome to be closer to God. To find contentment in the little things. And on a good day, it is the task I want to take on. However, not all days are good And I also start to feel like a misfit. Few people take interest in the things I take interest in (such as the lives of the saints). Most talk about it as if it is a life to be pitied nor admired.

So, in essence, I am babbling but I just really wish there was a better solution to my boredom

Angie

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Oh Angie, if you are that bored come help me clean, wash the dishes, make the bed and dust the dust right out of your boredom. I am, of course, being silly. Joy does not really depend on giving from an overabundance, but making small sacrifices. When you have very little to share or give. I think of “The Widow’s Mite.” The widow had little, but gave what she had. Something you may have is time and talent. Put it to good use. Ask your Pastor if there isn’t some elderly person or someone in need that would just enjoy your company, friendship, or even aid in little things around their home. If you love to read and talk about the saints, then start you own Saints page here on this forum. Doing something with or for someone will help negate boredom. Unless someone is ill, has some mental issues, or unable to physically or financially tackle life in general, I guess I would label it as “CB,” or chosen boredom. In my own case, I am lazy. I am waiting for the dishes to wash themselves, for the bed to make itself neat, the robot to clean the house and the dust bunnies to just scamper away. Well, maybe it isn’t THAT bad. Seriously…joy is not an automatic grace. We need to seek and work on it. What we Americans seem to have is a lot of time that is wasted that could end boredom if the time were to be used wisely. I will be the first to say that I am a time waster and will attempt to follow my own advice. Peace and prayers.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I think the advice of seeking out a spiritual director is good. if you are really burnt out you will quickly lose interest in any volunteer work because your heart will not be in it. You need to take care of yourself before being able to help others. Maybe see a doctor.

 

[SMH_2015]

Giving does not drain you.
Give fills you.
Volunteer.
You will get so much out of it. Much more than whatever you could do for a lonely person, a hungry person, a dying person, an imprisoned person, a child who needs tutoring, an elder that needs a ride to Mass.
It does not drain.
If that were so , no one would want children or love them.
Get out and help someone!

YES! My heart was empty until I started volunteering for the food ministry at our parish. Now it is the high point of my week (after Mass, of course! ) What else could get me up at 7am on a Saturday…?? Give of yourself; it will be a blessing to yourself as well as others.

 

[Anglewannabe]

The advice to find a spiritual director is a good one. .

I have a friend who is a nun. She does help me but she is not a spiritual advisor per se. She has been away for almost a month and I am feeling the effects of not having her support.

The fact that you feel worn out going to a park to read a book gives me pause. .

I wouldn’t say worn out, I just don’t find it enjoyable like I use to

I also wonder, do you get 7-8 hours of sleep and night and are you exercising daily? .

I have had sleep issues for years. It is a BIG cross I bear and try to solve the issue. I can go 2 weeks without exercising and then go to the gym 4 times in a week. It fluctuates

 

[Anglewannabe]

Also, many will disagree in here, but Yoga Exercise is very beneficial for the body as well as the mind.

And I will be the first to disagree. I find yoga horrific and have ALWAYS though that even as a kid. I would see it on TV and crack up laughing

 

[Anglewannabe]

no no no no no

Giving does not drain you.
Give fills you.
!

I have done TONS of volunteering over the years so I know what I am talking about when I say it drains me. I have taken so many neighbourhood kids to the park and on outings (I don’t have kids this was 100% out of the goodness of my heart). I genuinely believe that if one is running on empty, volunteering does NOT always help

 

[stanncie]

I have done TONS of volunteering over the years so I know what I am talking about when I say it drains me. I have taken so many neighbourhood kids to the park and on outings (I don’t have kids this was 100% out of the goodness of my heart). I genuinely believe that if one is running on empty, volunteering does NOT always help

I agree with you in this especially if you are a seasoned volunteer. It can be draining and actually detrimental if your heart is not in it and you are just doing it as an obligation or for the sake of it.
I agree with a lot of the posters above watching your diet and exercising regularly if you don’t do so. Also maybe you need a change in scenery. I don’t mean moving cross country but maybe trying something completely different and out of your comfort zone. It can lead to you meeting different people and might stimulate you.

I don’t know how old you are but I feel that as I get near to 40 I am slowing down a lot. I used to volunteer in three different ministries, go to the gym 4 days a week and work full time without an issue but now there’s no way I can do that.

I am now only in one ministry and have stepped back a lot so I don’t really have as many responsibilities. I still go to the gym often and work two jobs now but give myself more down time because I feel I need it.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

I would suggest to anyone that is Bored or feel their life is in a bit of a Standstill ,
And looking for a new lease on life, & if your a little Musicly talents ,
Then join a Brass Band,. My youngest son was involved in one,
There were people from all walks of life,every age bracket, singles,married with little people, all so totally different from one another,and a musical conductor brought them all together as one, and the end result was one tune playing in perfect harmony,
Strangers becoming good friends,maybe you could try this to complement faith in God

 

[ClearWater]

I have had sleep issues for years. It is a BIG cross I bear and try to solve the issue. I can go 2 weeks without exercising and then go to the gym 4 times in a week. It fluctuates

Can you get the sleep issue under control. Lack of decent sleep will take its toll. Would you consider speaking to your doctor. Insomnia can cause depression, and depression can cause insomnia.

Depression can cause us to have difficulty enjoying things, drain our energy.

I’m unsure about boredom. What activities do you like to do? You said reading. What else?

 

[ClearWater]

I have had sleep issues for years. It is a BIG cross I bear and try to solve the issue. I can go 2 weeks without exercising and then go to the gym 4 times in a week. It fluctuates

Can you get the sleep issue under control. Lack of decent sleep will take its toll. Would you consider speaking to your doctor. Insomnia can cause depression, and depression can cause insomnia.

Depression can cause us to have difficulty enjoying things, drain our energy.

I’m unsure about boredom. What activities do you like to do? You said reading. What else?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

And I will be the first to disagree. I find yoga horrific and have ALWAYS though that even as a kid. I would see it on TV and crack up laughing

Which is an example of immaturity, hence boredom.

Jim

 

[Anglewannabe]

Which is an example of immaturity, hence boredom.

Jim

Cracking up laughing, yes, but I put I was a kid when I did that. Not sure what your point is

 

[Anglewannabe]

I don’t know how old you are but I feel that as I get near to 40 I am slowing down a lot. I used to volunteer in three different ministries, go to the gym 4 days a week and work full time without an issue but now there’s no way I can do that…

I am 45. I can’t really say I have slowed down a lot because in my 20s compared to my peers I had less energy. They could stay out until midnight and be on time to work the next day, I couldn’t

I am now only in one ministry and have stepped back a lot so I don’t really have as many responsibilities. I still go to the gym often and work two jobs now but give myself more down time because I feel I need it.

Do you have children? I don’t so that is one thing that is not taking up my time