There's a saying- only boring people get bored. I don't believe that for a second. Actually, I think it's the opposite. A dimwit is easily amused. I consider myself anything but boring, but at times, I do find myself intensely bored.

Perhaps you don't have many opportunities to get bored. Rarely was boredom a problem for me when I was younger. Between working full time and my hobbies and reading, the problem was always not enough time, and never too much.

I still possess curiosity about the world but it's nothing like it was when I was younger. When you get older, you've consumed much of the information about this world and- at least in my case- the satisfaction derived from discovering new things diminishes. I do still learn new things every day, seeking things out. That won't change until I die. Still...

When you get older, physical activity decreases- for most of us, anyway. And right now, I can't walk outside without turning into a deli for mosquitoes. Summer finds me inside unless there's a specific need to be outside. The only exception to this is keeping my wife company while she gardens.

The most frustrating part of all this is there are things I need to do, or should do, but on the occasions where I can actually get motivated to do these things, as soon as I begin or try to begin, I find that I can't get going. For this reason, it's actually less frustrating to not even try. So, the problem is more than mere boredom.

Over the last few years, my circle of friends has diminished. I guess that's not an uncommon thing. Some have passed away; others- well, we've simply drifted apart. To make new friends, one must invest their self, but I find that I can't seem to get motivated to do so. From this forum alone, I have received so many invitations, so many overtures of friendship, but these days, I find myself to be a flat tire when it comes to socializing.

When people say that they would like to be immortal, they don't take into account just how the heck they're going to fill up all those centuries. Then again, if I knew I had unlimited time, I probably would be motivated to undertake complex projects. Human existence, however, has very real limitations.

I've reached a point where I feel as if I need to make a fairly radical change to my life, but I don't have the slightest idea what it should be.

I have the same problem to a degree.

It often feels like all I'm doing is marking time and watching the seasons go by. And they go by faster every year. Seems like just a couple of weeks ago I was waiting for things to warm up enough to enjoy being out side and here it is damn near August already.

I sometimes think I should be doing something constructive or learning something new or ANYTHING but puttering through another day.

Hopefully, cooler weather will stir some ambition in me.

Given the opportunity, I would spend significantly more time practicing guitar and piano. Additionally I intend to build a kit car at some point. We spend our free time taking trips in our travel trailer.

Hard to argue with travel, or learning an instrument to stave off boredom.

I'm probably a lot younger but I have so many hobbies its hard to be bored. Combine that with two young kids and its impossible.

To me routine is boredom.
I know in some situations or scenarios routine or a routine is beneficial.
But what I mean is the simpler non-crucial things.
Some people I know HAVE to do the same thing every day or travel the same route and if a deviation occurs it kills them.
Me it almost infuriates me to have to become a slave to routine.
Changing up things keeps the interest up.

Another thing that helps keep me energized is exercise and diet.
I always feel better the day after I exercise and give me energy to start or even better finish projects.
Recently went KETO , that and exercise has a had a big boost in energy ~ something that when you are over 60 can wane.

I think this is extraordinarily common in men, more so in the past 2 years … as you describe for fellers who are used to being passionate, sharp, engaged, managing complexity, etc.

My oldest son highlighted a flaw that I just didn’t wanna see. Once I figure something out, I have to move on. I’d like to pretend that I’m still curious… but he is correct. The drive to find yet another complexity is elusive sometimes.

I still have a book I want to write, but it’s not time. lol

I have these four neat air pistols from auction. Honestly some of the best fun I had recently was just cleaning them up on the back deck.

I may be on the younger side of things (just tickling 40) but I have too many hobbies and relish idle time doing nothing like it's crack cocaine. Between a pretty wife, motorcycling, boating, a race car, and shooting in addition to upkeep of the home I stay plenty busy whether I want to be or not.

I always found having something to look forward to.
Playing Pickleball in the morning, planning a trip, someone coming over, etc.

The word that comes to mind is “ennui”, a fancy word I learned years ago that I sometimes use to impress myself. It also summarizes how I often feel at 74. Bored, but not motivated to get off my ass.

Para pretty well summarizes the state of being. I used to read voraciously but seem to have lost interest.

I used to indulge in various hobbies but they the no longer attract. Haven’t been shooting in over a year.

The extreme heat here in Texas makes outdoor activities verboten, which may have something to do with the ennui.

At least I manage to go to the gym 3 times a week which seems to boost my morale. Endorphins I suppose. This seems to have lead to good health, for my age, and a lot more strength than the average 70+ codger.

I continue to play guitar at a “picking circle” at a local dive bar but seem to have less and less fun.

I’ve tried to disengage myself more and more from politics and care less about what’s going on. It seems to help, although I care deeply about my country.

Perhaps it’s a form of mild elderly depression that often affects those my age as we become more isolated.

I’m trying to fight this by participating in a weekly songwriter’s workshop with some younger folks who seem to appreciate some of those skills.

I tell myself that as the weather cools, things will get better.

I appreciate the folks here who never fail to post interesting information that keeps the cerebral gears turning.

Do you still work? If not, find some work. Or find a service opportunity - teach children, volunteer at a library, the YMCA - something, anything. Be a mentor - as I remember, you were a photographer, teach a class at the junior college, or advise the high school yearbook on photography. Take up a project - write a book or build a model of the Taj Mahal.

I don't know if only boring people are bored, but people who slip out of being active are bored. Find an activity.

I love my work and am seldom bored. If I were forced to retire boredom would be a problem.

Even though I am still working full time I find myself bored on my days off. I end up watching mindless TV. Things that used to interest me don't anymore. I'm close to retirement, maybe this October, so it scares me a little. I went outside my comfort zone and just put down a deposit on a 1967 MGB. It will force me to get in the garage again (always lots to fiddle with) and I will end up rejoining the local British car club. It was a hobby 20 something years ago and I am hoping it will kick me out of my slump.

I’m in my mid 50’s. Between work and my rescue dogs and endless things to do around the property I’m usually not bored. I believe I am very fortunate to have enough property that I always have something to do on it from trails to firewood to working on the shooting range as well and walking dogs or just watching them run.

Five years into retirement and I could almost have been the author of your post, para. The major difference being if I can get myself motivated to start something I usually carry on and get it done.

On days where I don't feel like doing anything I could, need, or should do I just let boredom have its way. I spend the day on web forums, reading, napping, what-have-you.

On such days I also try to find some trivial thing that needs doing, no matter how trivial, and do it. Just to be able to say I did something useful that day

As for new friends: I've never made friends easily. Not at any time in my life. Acquaintances: Yes. Friends: Not so much.

Maybe golf will change that, but I think it unlikely. No other hobby I've ever had did.

66 years old and still running a business. Boredom is on my bucket list. My Mother lived to 96, so I’m hoping I can play my cards right, and catch some boredom in 25 years or so.

My recent foray on SigForum is just taking time away from something else that needs doing, but I don’t want to devote much time to it. I’m actually multitasking as we speak. Or at least I think I am.

The Daughter just announced her first pregnancy Sunday morning. Our driveways are 6 minutes apart. Doubt my next 15-20 years are going to have much empty time either.

retired 15 years, volunteer van driver at local va hospital for 13 years, 2 days/week. gym 5 days, read a lot.

I'm in the retirement years but being self-employed the last 30+, I can still sort of work a bit as I please since I liked what I do.

I've also done some volunteering and read a lot about all sorts of things. The internet has made reaading much easier in my opinion as whenever a thought comes to mind, you're just a click or search away from the answer. The volunteering thing and other reasons to get out around people helps keep my in circulation and no real need to consciously try to meet new people. It just happens, no need to force it.

We moved to a more rural area about 20 years ago from suburbia (N. Atl.) and that was also a blessing when the the Covid mess shut things down. I like doing outdoor activities and have acres of stuff to do just at my own home. Being in relatively good physical shape makes that possible so that also gives me motivation to keep active.

Two younger dogs to walk several times a day and a nice place to do it helps too.

I think boredom is a close cousin to depression. Seeing the polarization in the country and much of the world and seeing it only getting worse, even in relatively small things like hair trigger tempers at the slightest infraction, makes me pretty damn depressed.

One empathizes. I share many of the things you mentioned. And immortality has never attracted me; I don't even wish to live to a ripe old age. I social some but I have no friends save one person who has been a friend for 30+ years. But even my relationship with him is dwindling - we are separated by distance, and in any case are no longer active. Just quick semi-annual chats it seems.

Work is no longer interesting. TV is rarely interesting. I spent some time learning a cursory history of civilization. And I'm trying to develop an appreciation of music.

Basically, I'm spending time on aspects of life that have to date largely been absent in my life - history, music, art. I've lived a life of numbers; I'm trying to move away from that.

I'm planning to take up some languages (get to some high school level) to help with the occasional travel (trips promised to my wife). And I intend to volunteer (not sure where and what yet).

My plan is to make commitments that will force me to do things. "What shall I do today" will still be a question relegated to weekends.

I think losing friends as you age is just a fact of life. I had a group of guys that I went to the range with regularly. Covid put a stop to that. Then there was a 6 man group that met at the gym regularly. Four of group have passed away in the last couple of years, and the other guy changed jobs and can't get away mid day. I've met a few at the new gym I go to but we're just on a "high, how's it going" and other such niceties relationship, no real bonding. They're all much younger than me. We used to do a lot of things with neighbors, and while they're all great people we just don't socialize much. Our extended family live close by and we do a lot together so there's that. However, on a day to day basis it's basically my wife and me. At this point in my life, I'm okay with that.

I'm really never bored. I've always got some sort of home project in the works, and I don't mind working by myself. We all just move through the different stages of life and try to make the most of them. As much as we might like it, we're not going to recapture our youth and do the things we did 25~ years ago.