Today's Saturday • 4 mins read
— By Dr. Sandip Roy.
If you feel bored with life quite often, you’re not alone.
A 2024 U.S. poll found about ~27% of adults said their life felt “a bit boring” (YouGov/2024). Another survey reported 63% of participants felt bored at least once during the study period (Struk & Carriere, 2017).
Modern life moves fast yet often feels hollow, letting boredom creep in. It robs everything you do in your life of its purpose and meaning.
Plutchik labels boredom as a mild form of disgust. But boredom isn’t a flaw; it signals that the current activity feels pointless and prompts you to find meaning and take action.
If you get bored easily, and are too bored with your life, take the quick quiz to see where you stand. Then read on for its possible causes and practical fixes.
Quiz: Do You Get Easily Bored In Life? 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 Proneness Scale–Short Form (BPS-SR)
Below are some statements about how you generally feel on a typical day. Rate each one by how well it describes you in general.
Your Score: /40
Interpretation: Higher scores indicate a greater tendency towards boredom and lack of engagement.
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 reduce your boredom proneness. So, if you get bored easily, cultivate a locomotion mindset, focusing on taking action, to reduce your boredom inclination.
Why Do You Get So Easily Bored — And How To Fix It
Here’s why you tend to get so easily bored in life, and what you can do about it.
1. You live in a monotonous and uninspiring place
O’Hanlon (1981) said that boredom results from “prolonged exposure to monotonous stimulation.”
When every day looks the same, your brain goes numb. You wake up, follow the same routine, see the same people, and visit the same places. Life turns into a loop of sameness.
How to fix it:
Change something in your daily pattern. Try a new route to work, plan a short trip, or rearrange your living space. Explore a hobby you’ve been ignoring. Even a small novelty breaks the cycle of dull repetition.
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” — John C. Maxwell
2. You feel your life lacks meaning.
Existential psychologists like Viktor Frankl said boredom often comes from a lack of meaning.
When life feels pointless, no amount of activity fills the void. You may stay busy, but nothing feels worthwhile.
How to fix it:
List your values and passions. Identify what gives you a sense of purpose, then take steps toward those things. Meaning doesn’t appear on its own — you create it through goals that matter to you.
“Those who have a 'why' to live can bear with almost any 'how.'” — Viktor Frankl
3. You’re constantly struggling and overwhelmed.
When life feels like an endless uphill climb, you stop feeling alive. Constant struggle without rest can numb your emotions and make joy feel out of reach.
How to fix it:
Pause and recharge. Take breaks before burnout sets in. Remind yourself that struggle is a part of life, but it shouldn’t be your entire life. Rest and recovery aren’t luxuries; they’re survival tools.
“When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters — one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.” — John F. Kennedy
4. You’re stuck in empty or toxic relationships.
When your relationships stop bringing joy, life starts feeling hollow. Emotional disconnection or loneliness can make even full days feel empty. People matter, but not all people are good for your mental health.
How to fix it:
Distance yourself from those who drain you. Invest your energy in healthy, nourishing relationships. Meet new people who share your interests and values. Real connection is one of the best cures for boredom.
“Not everyone we know adds meaning to our lives.” — Anon
5. You’re not growing or challenging yourself.
When you're not growing or evolving, boredom follows you everywhere.
A mind that isn’t challenged loses its spark. When you stop learning or pushing yourself, motivation fades and boredom takes over.
How to fix it:
Set a small challenge every week. Try a new skill, take a class, or read about something outside your usual interests. Growth gives your mind a reason to stay curious and alive.
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius, Stoic Philosopher & Emperor of Rome
6. You play it too safe — no excitement or adventures.
When you only play it safe and risk-free, life becomes predictable.
Even if your work is your passion, you still need a meaningful personal life outside of work.
Many people give up hobbies or adventure because they’re too busy or afraid of change. But too much comfort can turn into quiet frustration.
How to fix it:
Step outside your routine. Join a new group, travel somewhere new, or try an activity that scares you a little. A little risk adds freshness and meaning.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” — Helen Keller
7. Your goals and expectations no longer inspire you.
Sometimes you get bored with life when you have reached your main goals, or have given up on old dreams.
Either way, you stop feeling motivated. Unrealistic expectations can make reality feel dull in comparison.
How to fix it:
Set new goals that excite you again. Revisit forgotten dreams and start small steps toward them. Appreciate progress instead of perfection. When goals align with your present values, life feels active again.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — Les Brown
8. You’re digitally overloaded and distracted
Modern digital habits, like frequent mobile scrolling, notifications, and rapid-switching media, fragment our attention and reduce sustained focus on tasks.
Moreover, our brains adapt to quick dopamine hits from watching short videos on social media. So, quieter pleasures like a walk or a conversation can feel dull because our brains expect constant stimulation.
How to fix it:
Take regular digital breaks. Set screen-free hours or days. Use that time to read, move, or be outdoors. Reconnecting with real experiences rebuilds focus and satisfaction.
“We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.” — Douglas Adams
9. You’re mentally or physically exhausted.
Feeling mentally exhausted can happen to anyone. It can dull interest in everything. Burnout, poor sleep, or depression can all make life feel gray and pointless.
How to fix it:
Make time for proper rest, nutrition, and movement. If low mood or apathy lasts for weeks, talk to a professional. Sometimes boredom may be an early sign of mental fatigue or depression.
“Take a deep breath, it’s just a bad day, not a bad life.” – Anon
10. You’re not living an authentic life.
When you live by others’ expectations instead of your own values, you lose touch with who you are. Over time, this creates a quiet sense of emptiness and disinterest.
Living authentically is the opposite of trying to fit in. You stop chasing trends, don't feel the need to conform to social expectations, and no longer silence your thoughts just to please the crowd.
Showing up as your true self is one of the bravest and most beautiful things you can do.
How to fix it:
Reflect on what truly matters to you and take small steps toward living that truth. Real fulfillment comes when your choices match your beliefs and personality.
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” — Brené Brown
Research Findings On Boredom
Tam & van Tilburg define boredom as an unpleasant, short‑term, emotional state that occurs in unengaging, meaningless, and under-challenging situations.
People with a high boredom proneness tend to have lesser attention spans, more impulsivity, a reduced sense of purpose, more depressive symptoms, and behaviors that hinder flourishing.
Boredom motivates people toward more meaningful activity, sometimes producing negative outcomes (poor performance, risk‑taking) and sometimes positive ones (creativity, nostalgic reflection).
Boredom comes in two forms:
- State boredom: a temporary, situation-specific feeling you can usually shake: “I feel bored here.”
- Trait boredom: a chronic tendency to feel bored across situations; it can signal deeper issues: “They’re always bored.”
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.
RIf you're having trouble finding your passion for life again, reach out to a professional.
√ Also Read: The Keys To Happiness With Success In Life.
√ Please spread the word if you found this helpful.
