<p>I feel like I don’t have anything to look forward to (even though I do have lots to look forward to). I have plenty of stuff to do (so it’s not that I’m bored at home doing nothing), but I’m not feeling the excitement or the motivation to really enjoy what I’m doing. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Are you a student or a parent?</p>
<p>Sorry, two posts. How old are you? Age has a lot of bearing on life thoughts.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly (which I may not), Kate would be about 16? </p>
<p>If that’s right, then I’d say that the feelings are normal and will pass.</p>
<p>OP: Are you feeling sad?</p>
<p>Kate, you should talk to a friend or parent about how you are feeling. Also maybe start something new.</p>
<p>Sorry, I forgot to mention that I’m a student. ADad, I’m feeling a little down, but not super sad (i.e. depressed).</p>
<p>Quit focusing on yourself and broaden your outlook to others.</p>
<p>Can you be more specific?</p>
<p>How long have you been feeling a little down?</p>
<p>A few weeks, but it’s been a gradual thing.</p>
<p>How were you feeling at the end of the school year?</p>
<p>Do you mean that it is gradually getting worse?</p>
<p>A few weeks fits summer vacation. I remember being extremely bored, with nothing to do as a teenager during summers. Probably too late to get a job. If possible try to volunteer somewhere. Make a list of books to read and force yourself to read them. Or, help with projects around the house- you will be greatly appreciated. September is coming.</p>
<p>Perhaps you just have to accept that sometimes life is just not very interesting. Especially in summer, where the days can seem very repetitive. </p>
<p>I find it helps to have small, very short term, things to look forward to, even if you also have big things that are further away. For example, I always look forward to Thursdays because I don’t work on Thursday nights, and my favorite program is on TV, and I will take a long bath with my best bath products, and not cook but eat cheese and cookies infront of the TV. So if I am feeling bored and unmotivated on Tuesday, I can always think to myself “soon it will be Thursday, and Thursday is good”</p>
<p>If you feel you are becoming physically unable to make yourself do things or you are feeling very tired, then it might be a good idea to see a doctor.</p>
<p>Sometimes summer can be a let down after all the looking forward to it all year long. I think there are high expectations for fun fun fun. When there is some down time or things aren’t too exciting it’s easy to get a bit down. Certainly normal at your age. My s is feeling it too right about now, as he feels the summer is almost over and he hasn’t done so many things he hoped he would. Today he is leaving for a short trip, so maybe try and plan some fun things for a few days with friends or family. Try and get joy from the simple things, like a long walk on a beautiful day. Notice the sky, the flowers, the trees. Go on a nature walk at a preserve, go to the zoo, a pet store, the beach. All these things pick me up. </p>
<p>Volunteer work is a good suggestion. I once volunteered at my local animal shelter when I was younger.</p>
<p>Is there anything going on in your life in particular that you are not happy about? School? friends? boyfriends?</p>
<p>I know how you feel, Kate. I’ve been everywhere I’ve ever wanted to go, and I’ve done eveything (that doesn’t involve Denise Milani) that I ever wanted to do. The road ahead looks sort of boring.</p>
<p>The philosophers Schopenhauer and Pascal wrote a lot about happiness and boredom…both came from very different philosophical beliefs, but they agreed that people tend to create problems, challenges, wars, etc. to end the boredom. It’s interesting to note that people who are rich and famous seem to be more likely to commit suicide than people who are in terrible circumstances and are struggling just to stay alive. I think it has to do with the future…if there is something to strive for, you feel energized. If there is nothing to stive for (either you already have it all, or it’s impossible to get it), THEN you lose hope and feel like life is pointless.</p>
<p>P.S. anti-depression drugs help a lot.</p>
<p>get a hobby that revolves around progress and goals. for guys bodybuilding comes to mind</p>
<p>Yea, I agree with the previous post. I thought my summer was going to be full of fun, fun, fun but now I’m bored and didn’t do half the things I wanted to do. <em>sighs</em></p>