Is An Article About Boredom Boring?

Are you bored, and don’t know what to do about it?

Well, I’m all for leading a productive lifestyle, but I’m also one who believes you just have to kick back on a Sunday afternoon to watch the Phillies (or whatever team you route for … should be the Phillies is all I’m saying) and maybe nap to the soothing sound of a NASCAR race. Another Sunday afternoon tradition around my house is to watch as many football games as I can, with a couple of cold beers in tow (note: it works best when nobody’s around to bother you … take my word for it).

Ok, now on to the “deal sealer”: Once every couple of weeks, why not schedule some ‘boring time’ (yea, you heard me right)? Let everyone know this … ESPECIALLY the wife (or else she’s going to be like, “What the hell is up with this clown?” Yea, I’m speaking from experience … now I let her know what time it is!) Then put on some old comfortable clothing (you know, the stuff she keeps trying to throw away) and chill out for the whole weekend. That, my friend, is how you get through boredom … plain and simple!

Here are some other suggestions on how to break the cycle of boredom in your daily routine (I love my couch potato idea more though … just being honest):

Take a half day. Every so often, cut your workday short and go have some fun. Spend the afternoon at the zoo or park, or, just hit up the local sports bar with friends. This one is great for a hump day break, to help get you through to the rest of the work week.

Get up earlier. Wake up a half hour early and take a brisk walk or (gulp) a heart-pounding run to get the old blood flowing and create a great start to the day. The increased energy level that you’ll gain will offset the 30 minutes of sleep that you’ve just lost. Sucker!

Shake up your schedule. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the feeling you get after escaping the binds of boredom. Life won’t seem so monotonous anymore, and you’ll be taking positive steps toward managing the stress in your life (truth: I do this one a lot).

Go on … enjoy this boredom for all its worth, without feeling guilty (note: that’s the key). It’s normal to feel this way because you think you should be doing something ‘responsible’ like fixing the roof, taking your kids (or my dog … don’t have kids yet) out to the park, or following your wife around the stupid mall (man, I hate this one … until we pull into SEARS that is) but every once in a while, it’s good to cleanse yourself of this so-called “responsible adult” thing. So kick it up a notch couch potato … I mean, you have to go to work the next day anyways!

Does your life feel like a broken record? I know for me, it often seems like each day is the same exact thing. I wake up, eat breakfast, get ready for work, fight traffic, work, eat lunch, work more, drive home, play with the dog (no kids yet, remember?) hang with the wife, eat dinner, and then go to bed. What about tomorrow, you ask? It’s the same crap, just a different day. This is how everyone’s life is … so don’t feel bad (or worse: sad) if you’re just like the rest of the human population)!

Just realize that you don’t need to upend your entire life to get out of this rut you’re in. This isn’t about creating an unmanageable schedule full of meaningless stay-busy tasks, but instead, making better use of the time that you do have. And what I’ve spoke of earlier is how I get down (I mean really get down)!