Quebec

Issue 3: Boredom.

Boredom?

Yes, Voice, boredom. Today, I want to discuss how boredom affects me.

Ok... Sounds boring if you ask me...

Well, I don't exactly remember asking you, now do I?

If it's all the same with you, I'm going to go watch "Matlock."

Fine. Leave me hanging here by myself then... Wait. Matlock?

Yeah. "Matlock."

Speaks for itself, I suppose.

Anyway, I've never been one to handle boredom, although at times, I allow myself to be bored. I've found that in some cases, boredom actually encourages me to do something constructive or it will allow me to delve deeper into my skull and find some deeper meaning to my life.

One should never be afraid to be bored, at least every once in awhile.

When boredom occurs on a more constant basis, that's when it gets annoying. Constant boredom usually points to a serious issue in your life, such as your career or your social interactions. This may involve feelings of not being challenged enough or a lack of connection that has failed to maintain a desire to be with certain people or workplace.

I've noticed that I've been bored a lot in recent years. I love my job, I love what I do. I just don't feel that it's enough anymore. I need a greater challenge and one that will leave me with substantially more pocket money than I have been getting. Living hand to mouth is boring.

Relationship-wise, I've discovered that hanging around gossipy people, people who lack personal ambition, and people who have little interest in the world beyond their little neighbourhood to be boring. Look, this doesn't invalidate anyone as a human being, but how much discussion about Hot TV Reality Show or how Neighbour Bob is screwing around on his wife can anyone put up with?

Some people, that is their life. If that's how they choose to live and if they are happy with it, fine. It's just not for me. Not anymore.

If the cards are in my favour, I have another 60 years on this planet. That's not a whole hell of a lot of time to get into mischievious adventuring, especially with my pay scale. Do I sit here, bored out of my skull with the stagnation that has been my life, or do I reach out for something better?

It may sound rather arrogant (and elitist in some ways) to say that people that I find to be boring, bore me. It's a harsh truth about my personality that I am now truly beginning to grasp. I may be the nicest guy you'll ever meet in person, but I will never tell you if I found you boring. I'm not a complete asshole, after all.

Undoubtedly, someone else will take a look at my life and label it boring according to their own standards. And in many cases, they would likely have very valid points.

How can one actually compare one's level of boredom to another person? Everyone's point of view is vastly different.

I suppose that I can look at it this way:

If I am consistently bored with something in my life, then that is a signpost that I need to observe. I can then make a change or at least attempt to spice things up a bit. I need to break the mold of complete predictability in my life and instead adopt a more fluid view of change and mental adaptability.

I used to pretty good at improvistation and being creative on the fly. I need to find a way back to that, somehow.

Otherwise, you'll end up like me; bored out of my skull by talking with this guy.

Thanks for your vote of confidence, Voice...