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Permalink Reply by Brian Splash on August 21, 2012 at 2:28am

Not trying to patronise you , but if your job is something you can get back or replace with something just as mundane later , do some voluntary work in another country for people that have far less than you . You might see your life and your prospects in a different light .

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Permalink Reply by Tim on August 21, 2012 at 9:30am

I have thought about that since I do recognize and remind myself that I am a lot better off than a lot of other people out there. I was gathering information about joining the peace corp at one point but ended up trying to get into grad school instead.

I don't find any comments patronizing, but know that I am not taking anything I have for granted and have worked really hard to even get what I have today.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on August 21, 2012 at 9:43am

Is a lack of direction or sense of purpose contributing to your feeling?  You said "bored and empty".  Do you think everything is pointless?

Many folks have written books on these subjects, and a good deal of them are religious or spiritual in nature and perspective.  For me, unanswered questions of origin, purpose, and destiny always seem to undermine other areas of my life.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Shelton on August 21, 2012 at 9:45am

Sounds like you're letting life happen instead of living it.  Get out do some volunteer work, join a men's group, start a band, get a hobby, get a second job, or something.  Did you get into grad school?  If not, why not?  If not try again or get another undergrad degree that will get you into a more interesting job.  Join the military, I hear Afghanistan's pretty exciting.  If you got into grad school are you still going?  Did you get your advanced degree?

If you don't live now when you get married and have kids you'll kick yourself in the ass for all the things you didn't do and now can't.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on August 21, 2012 at 9:59am

That married with kids thing is no joke.  If you think you don't have any time now to do things you want, you're doing some serious overlooking or just need to do some serious re-booking.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Shelton on August 21, 2012 at 10:08am

Just getting out of the house is a job in itself especially with a 4 year old.

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Permalink Reply by David on August 21, 2012 at 11:14am

Tim,

When was the last time you were truly enthusiastic about something? What was that thing? I find that, depending on what is going on in my life, I fall into a rhythm just like the one you're describing. It's easy, when you have all the basic necessities, to get into a funk because you're not fighting or striving toward anything new. You've got a crummy job, but it pays the bills, you exercise, but it has become a routine and you're not pushing yourself to do more.

In my experience, when I get into these funks, I have to try different things. Make myself learn a new skill, read books which force me to learn things, volunteer, get a new hobby which excites me. You say you play guitar with friends which can be creative, but has that also become routine? Have you tried to learn anything new or write something?

It's not always about doing stuff, but doing the RIGHT stuff which gets us energized again.

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Permalink Reply by Tim on August 21, 2012 at 11:48am

Thanks David, I agree that the routine is the problem. I went from working a few jobs and going to college full time, to moving to LA to find work and struggling so hard to make ends meet that now I have all of that, but I'm already over it and in need of something new to struggle with.

I'm on the hunt for something new to try, but so far nothing sounds interesting beyond watching tv. Just have to get out of this funk I guess.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny on September 24, 2012 at 4:22pm

good point, even if you dont really have the enegry, passion, motivation to get out there and do something force yourself too. it will probably be a pain at first but i think you'll find you'll enjoy yourself

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Permalink Reply by Will on August 21, 2012 at 11:42am

I don't know how to say it another way, so I'll say it.  You do not, I assume, have a strong connection to God.  Without it, without a mission bigger than you, without anything in your life bigger than you, you find no point in life.  Why wouldn't you be bored?

To me the boredom sounds like a gift:  it's letting you know you're spinning your wheels.  Finding a way to medicate the boredom would be a shame.  Better to welcome it, question it, and see what it wants you to change.  One thing's for sure:  hobbies to distract you aren't going to cut it.  You're not here to be distracted.  You're here for -- what?  That's a wonderful question.

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Permalink Reply by Elliott Jason Ridgway on August 22, 2012 at 1:40am

+ 1

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Permalink Reply by Rob on August 21, 2012 at 11:42am

Well, LA is kinda like that. Where are you in LA? Whats the commute like? If its over an hour, try moving closer to get more free time away from work. Also, there are a lot of great places to camp in SoCal, try that maybe. I'm in LA as well and just moved here looking for work (engineering). I'll say that I can already see the 'bubbles' forming about me. LA is a tough city to get around in. Try a gym or class too.

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