When Your Greatest Fear Is Boredom (Page 2)

Taking Risks

I’ve also realized that life starts feeling more boring when I allow my fears (I call my fears “The Gremlin”) to take charge of my life. When I feel stuck, disempowered, or victimized, I often start feeling bored. But when I remember that I – and I alone – am responsible for my life, that I always have choice, I’m able to shift back into gratitude and appreciate what I have, rather than complaining about what I don’t.

Whether what you find boring is something as big as a dead end job or a bad relationship or whether it’s as trivial as feeling bored with tedious task or waiting at the doctor’s office, remember that you’re bored – because you choose to be.

Feeling victimized – as if you can’t leave your dead end job or your bad relationship, as if you can’t choose to outsource your tedious task or reschedule your doctor’s appointment or choose to see the good in a bad situation – leaves you feeling powerless. The more powerful choice is to allow boredom to be an opportunity to either take risks and make change – or change your attitude.

Remember, you may not be able to control everything that happens to you. It’s not your fault if your plane is delayed and you get stuck at the airport without a book to read. But it’s your choice how you respond to the “boring” situation.

Many of us are afraid to take responsibility for our lives because ending the boredom would require major change. Bored in your relationship but scared to get out? Bored in your job but scared to quit? Bored at the doctor’s office but unwilling to ask to be seen sooner, reschedule, or change your attitude?

Sometimes relieving boredom requires facing what makes you unhappy and taking proactive steps to change your life. That might feel scary. Your Gremlin might go ballistic. But keep in mind, ultimately, it’s your choice.

Are You Bored?

Or are you grateful for your life as it is?

Are you afraid? And if so, what do you fear more – the monotony of boredom or the uncertainty of change?

Do you tend to stave off boredom by instigating drama, shaking things up, taking risks, moving a lot, changing relationships frequently, and pursuing various career choices?

Or do you make attempts to prevent uncertainty by choosing security, stability, and the warm comfort of the “certain” world (I use quotes because nothing in life is really certain)?

Whatever your tendency, let me reassure you, dear ones.

Whether your life is smooth sailing or choppy waters, you can always call upon your Inner Pilot Light to help you feel safe. Even when life gets monotonous, this radiant part of you will be your excitement. When life gets uncertain, your Inner Pilot Light will be your rock.

Right now, I’m at the airport, waiting on a delayed flight – again. But instead of choosing to feel bored, I’m choosing to feel grateful I have a good book, a healthy 6 year old daughter at my side, and a new puppy to take home.

Is it time to take action to make your life less boring? Or is it time to change your attitude? Tell us how you feel.

Focusing on gratitude,

Lissa

Lissa Rankin, MD: Creator of the health and wellness communities LissaRankin.com and OwningPink.com, author of Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof You Can Heal Yourself (Hay House, 2013), TEDx speaker, and Health Care Evolutionary. Join her newsletter list for free guidance on healing yourself, and check her out on Twitter and Facebook.

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Read more: Career, Life, Relationships, boredom, choice, fear, job, Lissa Rankin, marriage, Owning Pink, unhappy

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Elaya R.

11:08PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

Thank you

November 28
send a green star

Tamara M.

12:43PM PST on Nov 24, 2012

I'm comfortable with my life now, more than I've ever been. I'm hoping it'll starlike this for another few years, then I'll take a taste of some challenge.

November 24
send a green star

vee s.

10:27AM PST on Nov 24, 2012

Good lord - there is a whole world out there and one lifetime is not enough to even scratch the surface of what there is to explore and learn about and do.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get out and do something for someone else. Volunteer.

There is nothing as satisfying as the feeling that you have helped someone else, and there are countless organisations and charities desperate for volunteers.

Patty B.

6:34AM PST on Nov 24, 2012

If I accept the gifts ..I will not be as sad or bored..or homesick .Maybe.

6:32AM PST on Nov 24, 2012

Sometimes I am so bored and frustrated I burst into tears .
I moved from Sandy territory to a desert city .
The loved ones I came here to be close to have moved due to employment related reasons.
Life is weird as this place seems to give me " gifts " ALL the time..and they are gifts dropped on me that I could never have or attain in the area I long for .So far I have pushed the "gifts" away but maybe now I will accept the "gifts" and see what and where they take me..

paul m.

5:27AM PST on Nov 24, 2012

I don't get bored ,,,find something too do ..

Heather M.

7:16PM PST on Nov 23, 2012

An Attitude of Gratitude.

November 23
send a green star

Winn A.

4:06PM PST on Nov 23, 2012

Thanks

Jeannette G.

5:15AM PST on Nov 23, 2012

I love this - the psychiatric depts would have a lot less patients if human nature were fundamentally grateful. Health care, in general, would treat a LOT less patients.
Thanks, also, for your honesty!

John B.

4:57AM PST on Nov 23, 2012

Thanks Lissa for sharing the story of your journey. I have changed professions a few times in my life but not because of boredom but because I wanted to lean more and challenge myself.