Source: Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash
There comes a time when you feel stuck in your boring lifestyle – the same old dull routines that blur into the next day. You greet each sunrise disinterestedly, unable to muster excitement or motivation.
Whatever it is lifestyle fatigue or high functioning depression, numbness feels similar. You have a bad case of the “wellness” and don’t know how to cure it.
Time to reboot the lifestyle
Chances are your lifestyle has evolved without planning or thought. As a child, you rarely had to worry about your choices; they were usually made for you. What’s more, the newness of life sparkled with excitement. Every day was a daring adventure full of unknowns.
Even as a young adult, you had reasons to feel excited. Maybe you’ve started a new job or school, moved to a new neighborhood, or are enjoying the honeymoon excitement of a new relationship. Either way, you haven’t established consistency or fallen into repetitive patterns. You didn’t have to work to keep your lifestyle attractive. The “newness” kept everything fresh.
Boring as a launcher
Familiarity is comforting, but it also breeds stagnation. With repetition, even the most exciting work can become a snooze fest.
Consider boredom a trigger for self-reflection. If you’re bored, chances are you’re dealing with frustration passively. Instead of pushing yourself to discover creative solutions to your boredom, you passively scroll or consume media. You train your brain to disengage from frustration by disconnecting rather than challenging it.
Unresolved frustration eventually turns into repression that drains your energy and drains the vitality from your life. Hopelessness about your future also saps the joy of living in the present moment.
Rebooting your lifestyle
The journey to rebooting your lifestyle doesn’t start with quitting your job, moving to a new neighborhood, or ending your relationships. Such changes are often cosmetic because they often do not resolve underlying emotional issues.
A change of scenery may feel refreshing, but you’re likely to take the same emotional scenario. Ultimately, your bland lifestyle follows you wherever you go; different environments, same result,
Your new lifestyle
In your childhood, you were completely dependent on your parents to set your lifestyle. In adulthood, everything is up to you. Waiting and hoping won’t help. You can’t be passive when refreshing your lifestyle; you will have to go out of your own way.
To get started, here are three simple steps you can take today:
- Disrupt your routine: Change, however small, is necessary for growth. A simple change in daily patterns is an awakening of your senses. Take a different route to work, listen to different music, and challenge yourself to do something new every day or at least once a week. These small changes will trigger new reactions in you and move things in the right direction.
- Explore new passions: Childhood is full of wonder; adulthood, not so much. That means it’s up to you to find new passions and interests. Take a dance class, start a new exercise routine, and join a writing group. Whatever you do, choose something unique. Keep exploring, meeting new people or traveling; stretch yourself and you’ll rarely be bored with your lifestyle.
- Develop a mindfulness practice: The primary function of mindfulness practice is to shine a light on the parts of yourself that annoy your gaze. For example, if you are constantly complaining, everything you do will seem pointless. Taking time to reflect on the unconscious choices that shape your perspective allows you to make new decisions. There are all sorts of mindfulness practices (see “Why Meditation Doesn’t Work for Everyone”) Take your time to find one that works for you.
For more, see 5 basic steps to be happier and make your dreams come true.