Quiz: Do You Easily Bored of Things? A Quick Check!

✅ Today's Sunday • 📖 5 mins read

— By Dr. Sandip Roy.

To be clear, boredom is an emotion. Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions says boredom is a mild form of disgust toward our surroundings.

So, being bored simply means you’re slightly disgusted with what you’re doing, as you see it as pointless.

As all emotions have a purpose, boredom is actually a crisis of meaning and a call to action, which is why we experience it.

Did you know that more impulsive people find boring tasks more boring? That could explain why some ADHD-people get bored more often.

But why do some people have boredom proneness, the tendency to get bored easily?

Quiz: Are You Easily Bored? A Quick Check!

Boredom proneness is the tendency to have frequent and intense bouts of boredom. Boredom-prone people show lower levels of self-control and self-esteem (Mugon & Boylan, 2020).

Boredom-prone people feel bored even when the situation isn't boring. Mugon & Struk (2018) found that having locomotion, that is, a desire to “just do it” and “do the right thing,” can help deal with boredom proneness.

So, if you tend to get bored too easily and frequently, then build self-control to get things done.

Why Do You Feel Endlessly Bored In Life?

There are many reasons why you might feel constant boredom in life.

1. Monotony & Uninspiring Environments

O’Hanlon (1981) said that boredom results from “prolonged exposure to monotonous stimulation.” We agree.

When each day is the same, you can't reply to what you had for dinner two days before. Your yesterday was the same as many yesterdays. You went to the same places, did the same things, and met the same people.

An unstimulating environment or a routine that doesn't change can bore you to numbness. You feel like you are going through the motions without feeling any emotions.

How To Solve It?

• Plan an impromptu adventure for the weekend, pack a bag, and just go.
• Add a surprise twist to your day; even a new route from work to home counts.
• Introduce small amounts of novelty and variety to break the cycle of sameness.
• Reconnect with some friends or distant family relationships you have lost touch with.
• Explore hobbies that you've always been interested in but never had the chance to pursue.
• Visit nature or places of art and good design. Try redecorating or rearranging the layout of your living or work spaces.

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” — John C. Maxwell

2. Lack of Meaning In Life

This is big. When you feel like your whole life is boring, it might be a disturbing sign.

Existentialists like Viktor Frankl (1984) suggest boredom occurs when a person is unable to find meaning in their life.

The meaning of life = how much we think our lives are worthy and valuable.

• When you have worthwhile goals, you know where you're going, and you feel like your existence has a big purpose or importance, you've found your life's meaning.

• When you feel everything is pointless, and you keep busy doing purposeless things, it can hollow you out from the inside. This often becomes an issue during the middle years (midlife crisis).

How To Solve It?

• Make a list of all your values, passions, and goals.
• Take note of how far you have reached in fulfilling those.
• Then find ways to reset your life, doing things that give your life purpose.

“Those who have a 'why' to live can bear with almost any 'how.'” — Viktor Frankl

3. Constant Struggle & Overwhelm

Constant struggle feels like Sisyphus pushing a giant boulder uphill, and then, as he sleeps, the boulder rolls back down, forcing him to start all over again.

An endless cycle of constant challenges and adversity can leave you drained and bored with life. It can affect your physical and mental well-being. You feel demotivated, have meltdowns, or stop showing any emotional reaction.

How To Solve It? You know this already, but still remind yourself that life comes with problems. From small hurdles to big setbacks, obstacles are a normal part of life's journey.

• The idea is not to try to avoid struggles, but to spot the moments of joy and stop to smell the roses and watch the cherry blossoms.
• The idea is not to postpone happiness or let the moments of respite pass. For a while, just place your bag of struggles and stress down; you may pick it up later.

That is called charging your self-care batteries to regain your energy and verve.

“When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters — one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.” — John F. Kennedy

4. Empty or Toxic Relationships

Not everyone we know adds meaning to our lives. We don't say it out loud, but the emotional disconnect can make us feel bored with life itself.

When our relationships stop bringing us joy or fulfillment, life starts feeling dull and empty. Strong social connections have been proven to be the most vital part of our well-being.

But it's not just a feeling of isolation or disconnection. We can suffer loneliness even while living in a houseful of people.

• Loneliness can be due to a lack of satisfaction in our relationships.
• Lack of satisfaction in relationships could be because we don't have meaningfully common things to share.

How To Solve It?

• Prune out those people from your life who are toxic to your mental health.
• Try to invest yourself in those existing relationships that are nourishing.
• And build new ones with people who inspire and uplift you.

5. Lack of Challenge, Growth, or Progress

If your mind isn't challenged every once in a while, life can get boring or stagnant.

Your days don't even have a small spark of interest or curiosity. Your brain feels no reason to feel creative or inventive. You feel trapped and unable to move forward.

When you're not growing or evolving, boredom follows you everywhere.

How To Solve It?

• Find activities or hobbies that stimulate your mind, ignite your creativity, and keep life feeling vibrant and fulfilling.
• Dive into a good book, try out a new hobby, explore a new skill, or embrace a new intellectual or creative challenge.
• Stretching your abilities beyond your comfort zone can add a sense of zest to your daily routine.
• Embrace opportunities for personal growth, whether it's through education, travel, or simply stepping out of your routine and trying new experiences.
• List out things that are holding you back. It's our nature that we would rather keep doing things the same way we've always done them. Find the things that are blocking your success or not working out as you expected, and make a step-by-step plan to get past them.

6. No Passions or Hobbies Outside Work

Life must also exist outside work. Even if your work is your passion, you still need something outside of work to kindle your spirits.

Without pursuits to hold your interest and let you express yourself, life can feel dull.

So often in our fast-paced lives, we let go of our hobbies and interests due to a lack of time, low energy, or a drive to earn money.

How To Solve It?

• Explore new hobbies, revisit old ones, or find ways to turn your passions into a career or side hustle.
• You won't find time unless you make time. Make a conscious effort to carve out time for activities that nourish your soul.

7. Playing Too Safe (No Risk or Adventure)

A predictable, risk-free existence can become monotonous over time.

How To Solve It? Step out of your comfort zone and embrace new challenges. Ignite in yourself a sense of excitement and adventure.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

— Helen Keller

8. Achieved Goals

If you've accomplished all the goals you've set for yourself and don't have new ones to work towards, it's natural to feel a sense of aimlessness.

How To Solve It? Continuously reassess your ambitions and set new, inspiring goals that reignite your drive and motivation.

9. Unfulfilled Dreams

Unrealized aspirations can breed dissatisfaction and boredom.

How To Solve It? Revisit those dreams and find ways to pursue them, even if it's in small steps. It's never too late to chase your passions.

10. Unrealistic Expectations

If your expectations of life are too idealized or unrealistic, the reality may seem dull in comparison.

How To Solve It? Adjust your mindset and learn to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

11. Mood Disorders & Burnout (Depression)

Clinical depression can sap the joy out of living and leave you feeling disinterested, lethargic, and bored.

How To Solve It? If you suspect you might be depressed, seek professional help to address the underlying mental health issues.

• Read: Depression: 10 Myths & Truths You Need To Know

12. Energy Drain & Apathy

When you're chronically fatigued, even the simplest activities can feel like a chore.

A general lack of motivation, passion, or enthusiasm about life could be symptomatic of deeper underlying issues. It could be an early-stage burnout or an early symptom of depression.

How To Solve It? Make taking care of yourself, eating well, and getting enough sleep your top priorities. Consult a counselor if you feel constantly sad or anxious, or feel like you have no purpose in life. Get a thorough blood workup. Find ways to reignite your zest for living.

13. Passivity & Low Sense of Autonomy

If you're not actively engaged in shaping your life according to your desires, it's easy to become a passive bystander.

Feeling like you have no control or autonomy over your circumstances can lead to a sense of helplessness and disengagement.

How To Solve It? Stop doing pointless things for a week or a few days. Use that time to do some of the things you dream about doing all the time. Take little actions every day to regain control and find your own way.

14. Digital Overload & Fragmented Attention

Constant stimulation from digital devices can rewire our brains, making it harder to find fulfillment in the simpler pleasures of life.

How To Solve It? Practice mindfulness and regular digital detoxes to recalibrate your attention span and reconnect with the present moment.

15. Living Inauthentically

If you're not living authentically and true to your core beliefs and values, life can feel hollow and unfulfilling.

How To Solve It? Learn more about yourself and find the courage to live in total sync with who you really are.

Research Findings On Boredom

Boredom can be of two types:

1. State boredom: a temporary feeling of boredom you feel in a certain situation. Most of us can quickly overcome it without much effort. “I feel so bored here.”
2. Trait boredom: a persistent and pervasive feeling of boredom that has become your nature. This may point to some underlying health issues. Others see this as a part of who you are. “He is always bored, and he bores us every time.”

Tam & van Tilburg (2021) wrote:

• Boredom is an unpleasant emotion that occurs in unengaging, meaningless, and under-challenging situations.
• It is a short-term state that motivates people to pursue more meaningful actions. It can drive both undesirable (e.g., poor performance, risk-taking) and desirable (e.g., creativity, nostalgic reverie) results.
• Boredom-prone people have less sustained attention, are more impulsive, and see less purpose in life. They may also have problematic behaviors, depressive symptoms, and barriers to flourishing.

Final Words

Boredom is a temporary state. Take special note when it may seem like becoming a permanent affliction.

Identify the root cause. Then introduce variety, meaning, and challenge into your life.

Reach out to a professional if you have it hard trying to rediscover your zest for life.

√ Also Read: The Keys To Happiness With Success In Life.

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