17 Things to Do When Life Feels Boring

As human beings, we are creatures of habit. And as such, we can find ourselves stuck in a rut, feeling like life is boring. The monotony of routine is enough to take the excitement out of the day as you know exactly what to expect.

The good news is there is room for both routine and spontaneity to spice up your life and make you excited all over again.

So, if you feel bored with your life, scared of change, and want to refresh your life to keep things interested, this is the guide for you.

Why do we crave habit and routine?

As mentioned above, human beings are creatures of habit. It’s an evolutional protective mechanism we have cultivated to eliminate as many threats as possible in our day-to-day lives. Our ancestors lived their lives not knowing where their next meal would come from, or if they would be facing threats from predators later that day. And that residual anxiety or uncertainty still exists in us today.

It can be daunting not knowing what’s coming next. It’s why most of us have a rough schedule of what we will be doing each day, with who, and where. We like the comfort of knowing what to expect. And there is nothing wrong with this at all.

However, when you become too stuck to your routines and habits, you leave no room to stumble upon new experiences.

So how can you inject excitement into your life when you feel it is boring? 

Seventeen ways to stop life feeling boring

1. Plan a trip away from your hometown

Explore a new place. It will invokes a sense of wonder and excitement in your life. It’s an opportunity to discover new sites, learn a new culture, and meet people different from you.

And the great thing is you don’t need to go on a lavish holiday to do this. Understandably, travel abroad isn’t accessible to everyone, but even visiting a nearby town or city for the first time is enough to kick boredom’s ass!

2. Make regular plans with your friends

When life gets in the way, we tend to compromise by dropping the things that bring us the most joy first. But meeting up with your friends is one of the most exciting things you can do.

When around your friends, you let go, talk, and connect. You burst out into spontaneous belly laughs only those closest to you can induce.

So if it’s been a while since you’ve seen your friends, get on the phone, talk, and make plans!

3. Get lost in a book

Books are like movies, only better. When you read a good book, you are transported to a new world open to your interpretation.

Let the words on the page guide your imagination and immerse yourself in a new world full of endless possibilities as it unravels from page to page.

4. Reorganise your living space

When life gets boring, there’s nothing better than a change of scenery. So, why not start with your living space? Move your furniture around and experiment with new set-ups.

It will feel like a completely new space without spending a penny! 

5. Mix up your routine 

Monotony is one of the leading causes of boredom. And if your routine makes your life feel like Groundhog Day, it’s about time you switch it up.

Move around your schedule, add new elements, and get rid of a few stale activities. You’ll find the novelty of your new routine will bring some much-needed excitement to your life.

To avoid getting yourself stuck in a rut again, make sure to do this often (once every 1-3 months).

6. Change careers

A lot of us feel caged in by our jobs. But, unfortunately, we live in a world where money makes the world go round, and it can lead us to feel trapped in a job we absolutely hate. Not only does this lead to severe boredom, but it can also cause a significant negative impact on our mental and physical health.

So, if you relate to this, then for excitement and health’s sake, consider looking into a change in career. 

Take a leap of faith and see what else is out there for you.

7. Meet new people

Nothing cures boredom better than meeting new people. Connecting with new people allows you to experience new life perspectives and personalities and take you on adventures you never dreamed of.

While it’s hard to meet new people as an adult, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Join a class, get involved in groups at work, or simply talk to a colleague you haven’t got to know yet. If you have kids, try talking to the parents waiting in the playground at the start and end of school. Finally, if you are feeling especially brave, try striking up a conversation with a stranger next time you hit up a café!

 

8. Change your look

When was the last time you changed your hairstyle or clothes? We become attached to these things because they provide a security blanket of comfort. 

Why not step into the unknown and experiment with your style? A new haircut, wardrobe overhaul, changing your make up… find out what else you like. 

You’ll find a new look can lead to a new attitude and new doors open in your life. That is the power of a makeover.

9. Join a class 

Why practice something you love alone when you can do it with other like-minded people? Take a class to expand your horizon and push your limits and creativity beyond its current level. 

And by sharing the experience with other people, you’ll be able to bounce ideas off one another and create something incredible.

10. Find a new hobby

It’s always a good time to learn a new skill. So take a period of boredom to pick up a new hobby and see how far you can go with it. And with YouTube at your fingertips, there’s always a free coach on hand to help you get started!

11. Put yourself out there and get on stage

Have you ever imagined yourself as a stand-up comic? Or maybe karaoke is more up your alley. Either way, putting yourself out there and making yourself vulnerable by performing in public will inject some much-needed excitement into your life.

That’s an adrenaline wave you can surf for a long time!

12. Spend a day using a decision wheel

Throw caution to the wind and let someone else decide what you do for a day… or, rather, something else…

Download a free decision wheel app on your phone and use it to decide things like the food you eat, the entertainment you choose, and if you feel particularly adventurous, a new place to visit.

13. Try new cuisine

Are you bored of rotating through the same five meals every week? Then, get online and search for new recipes to try from around the world. You might be amazed at what you find you enjoy! 

14. Turn off technology

We’ve become too reliant on our phones, computers, and TV’s to keep us occupied. Yet, there’s a whole world of unscripted wonder ready for you to discover. So challenge yourself to put the technology away for the day and find new ways to keep yourself occupied.

15. Volunteer

There is enormous joy to find in giving back to the community. Find opportunities to volunteer in your community and lend your skills. Not only will you be helping those in need, but your life will feel less boring.

16. Learn a new language 

There are over seven billion people on this planet, and approximately 6500 different languages are spoken. And English is only the 3rd most widely spoken language in the world.

Boost your ability to meet new people and experience new cultures authentically by giving yourself the gift of learning a new language.

There are plenty of free resources online to get you started 

17. Go after your dreams

When you close your eyes at night and think of your perfect life, what does it look like? How different is it from the life you are living right now? And what’s stopping you from making changes in your life to make it happen?

Whatever your desires are, do yourself a favour and go for them. You don’t have to have all your ducks in a row; you just have to find the courage to take that first step. 

Once you start living your life for yourself, there’ll never be a dull moment again.

Final thoughts 

So there you have it—17 exciting ways to rid your life of boredom and add some spice to your days.

No matter your time, money, or responsibility constraints, there is an option here for you to incorporate into your life. So you are not doomed to a life of boredom and misery.

And finally, if you still feel wary about trying to make your life exciting, remember this:

If it scares you, it’s a sign you should do it.