Raised as an only child with parents often preoccupied with other activities, I learned early how to entertain myself. It has served me well. I'm a lifelong learner. I love reading both fiction and non-fiction, going for walks with others and alone. I'm active in our church and volunteering in the community. I've been retired ten years, but not bored one day yet.
I wonder if everyone in that situation would learn how to entertain themselves or if some just get used to boredom. So much better to learn to entertain yourself and become a lifelong learner! Awesome that you haven’t had one boring day! Thank you, Karen!
I was going to say something similar but I feared it might sound arrogant or bragging - I learned very early how to keep myself entertained, perfectly happy to be alone or with others, diving into some new creative activity. I can't recall being bored a single day of my 79 years. I wish I knew how to explain it so others might gain from my outlook.
Judy such an excellent article! As an older lady I am always reaching for my next goal. I have already cleaned out closets and done some organizing. Picking my paint brush back up is a joy to me. I cannot say I am never bored I have a lot of still moments. Really inspiration is my calling card for my next move! And God does bring that inspiration.
Always reaching for the next goal is a wonderful way to approach late adulthood, and God does inspire us! Thank you, Rebecca, and here’s to your next goal!
Judy, thank you for introducing a topic that needed to be addressed. I often joke that the last time I remember being bored was 1979, and it's actually not far from the truth. (We had just relocated, so no job, friends, or kids yet, and I was stuck at home unable to walk after surgery on both feet. No internet back then either!) Now there are never enough hours in the day to do everything I'd like to, which is why I love the 20 hours of daylight we are currently enjoying here in Norway!
Interestingly, I’ve had several comments from people who say they have never experienced a boring day and/or have learned how to entertain themselves. Either those who have experienced boredom aren’t commenting or most folks who read this article are highly motivated! I agree with you that there is never enough time to do it all. It’s one of the things I look forward to about heaven, living eternally with Jesus, for we will literally never run out of time to do all that there is no time for now. Enjoy those long days in Norway! We were once in Sweden for midsummer, and it was delightful! Thanks, Maggie!
I suspect that those who regularly read your column are those who really do want to reimagine retirement or ate already busy doing that. I follow the Nextdoor app in our neighborhood at home, and I am surprised at how many people on that thread speak of not having much to do with their time.
This is a great article to reflect on. As I approach total retirement in one week (excited but anxious), I want to remind myself to let myself be bored but also give myself the time to be bored. I also need to be very cautious about my reaction to boredom as you share.
When you are so programmed for decades, it is a bit anxiety-provoking to look at your calendar and see huge blocks of time that are open. This is where prayer, listening to what God wants me to hear, and taking care of myself comes in. This article once again “spoke” to me Judy so thanks!
One week! Congratulations on work very well done, Jean! Now you’re on to a new stage of life, and it is a bit anxiety producing. You are so right that prayer, listening to God, and taking care of yourself is the best way to begin. Enjoy your sabbatical, rest, and I’ll pray for you!
I can’t remember when was the last time I was bored; it’s not necessarily a good sign. In today’s world, most of us, retired or not, fill their time with activities. When we get a few minutes of idle time, we reach for our phones—the distractions, and we lose our ability to be still and let our mind wander …
Our phones and other distractions are an easy way to avoid boredom, but after reading the book I wonder if they ultimately make us more bored. You are correct, they keep us from being still and letting our minds wander, preventing the very thing that might lead to much better things. Thanks, Yi!
I started writing a middle grade action/adventure story. That keeps me occupied to the extent it crowds out other things I’d really like to do. The downside of Type A.
Good for you! There is simply not enough time to do everything we’d like to do, so we make choices. It sounds like you’ve made a good choice. Thanks, Curt!
Recently we had an epic gathering of our peeps to celebrate our last two grands graduating from high school. I lost count at 46 people. The age range of our tribe is 2 years to 94. It was so amazing to sit and chat with the 94 year old who still travels and the 95 year old who is disabled but still crochets little dolls for a charity that sends them to children in 3rd world countries. These elders are so inspiring. I am the youngest of the oldies - the whippersnapper at 79 but the energy of everyone coming together with such joy says more than I could write in a book.
That sounds absolutely wonderful, Meema! I love to hear about families and/or groups with such a great age range getting together. What a gift! And we can learn so much from different generations. No boredom there! Thanks so much for your comment!
No boredom here. This year has been one gathering benchmark celebration after another. We even have to double up on some dates, like Mother's Day and Father's Day combined with birthdays. i told my oldest daughter we need a spreadsheet!
This is such a timely post, Judy. I'm currently finding with greater control of my schedule in retirement that I am drawn repeatedly to things that give me a dopamine rush, versus the things that may be more long-term but more fruitful. In my day, that looks like feeling drawn to playing a computer game or rushing to and from volunteer opportunities, versus reading the Dallas Willard book that has been on my nightstand for months. I have to be careful that I don't define "boredom" as any time that doesn't give me a sense of immediate gratification! Thanks, Judy!
I have to watch similar tendencies, and am usually successful. I only let myself do mindless stuff after 8:30 or so while we’re unwinding and watching TV. By then, I’m done! Thanks for your thoughts, Tom!
Raised as an only child with parents often preoccupied with other activities, I learned early how to entertain myself. It has served me well. I'm a lifelong learner. I love reading both fiction and non-fiction, going for walks with others and alone. I'm active in our church and volunteering in the community. I've been retired ten years, but not bored one day yet.
I wonder if everyone in that situation would learn how to entertain themselves or if some just get used to boredom. So much better to learn to entertain yourself and become a lifelong learner! Awesome that you haven’t had one boring day! Thank you, Karen!
I was going to say something similar but I feared it might sound arrogant or bragging - I learned very early how to keep myself entertained, perfectly happy to be alone or with others, diving into some new creative activity. I can't recall being bored a single day of my 79 years. I wish I knew how to explain it so others might gain from my outlook.
Perhaps it’s a personality trait? A learned behavior? Whatever it is, good for you!
I thought of that. 👍
Yes, it is hard to explain. I think it's because what I find a perfectly satisfying life might sound less than that to others.
I so get that!
Judy such an excellent article! As an older lady I am always reaching for my next goal. I have already cleaned out closets and done some organizing. Picking my paint brush back up is a joy to me. I cannot say I am never bored I have a lot of still moments. Really inspiration is my calling card for my next move! And God does bring that inspiration.
Always reaching for the next goal is a wonderful way to approach late adulthood, and God does inspire us! Thank you, Rebecca, and here’s to your next goal!
Judy, thank you for introducing a topic that needed to be addressed. I often joke that the last time I remember being bored was 1979, and it's actually not far from the truth. (We had just relocated, so no job, friends, or kids yet, and I was stuck at home unable to walk after surgery on both feet. No internet back then either!) Now there are never enough hours in the day to do everything I'd like to, which is why I love the 20 hours of daylight we are currently enjoying here in Norway!
Interestingly, I’ve had several comments from people who say they have never experienced a boring day and/or have learned how to entertain themselves. Either those who have experienced boredom aren’t commenting or most folks who read this article are highly motivated! I agree with you that there is never enough time to do it all. It’s one of the things I look forward to about heaven, living eternally with Jesus, for we will literally never run out of time to do all that there is no time for now. Enjoy those long days in Norway! We were once in Sweden for midsummer, and it was delightful! Thanks, Maggie!
I suspect that those who regularly read your column are those who really do want to reimagine retirement or ate already busy doing that. I follow the Nextdoor app in our neighborhood at home, and I am surprised at how many people on that thread speak of not having much to do with their time.
This is a great article to reflect on. As I approach total retirement in one week (excited but anxious), I want to remind myself to let myself be bored but also give myself the time to be bored. I also need to be very cautious about my reaction to boredom as you share.
When you are so programmed for decades, it is a bit anxiety-provoking to look at your calendar and see huge blocks of time that are open. This is where prayer, listening to what God wants me to hear, and taking care of myself comes in. This article once again “spoke” to me Judy so thanks!
One week! Congratulations on work very well done, Jean! Now you’re on to a new stage of life, and it is a bit anxiety producing. You are so right that prayer, listening to God, and taking care of yourself is the best way to begin. Enjoy your sabbatical, rest, and I’ll pray for you!
I can’t remember when was the last time I was bored; it’s not necessarily a good sign. In today’s world, most of us, retired or not, fill their time with activities. When we get a few minutes of idle time, we reach for our phones—the distractions, and we lose our ability to be still and let our mind wander …
Our phones and other distractions are an easy way to avoid boredom, but after reading the book I wonder if they ultimately make us more bored. You are correct, they keep us from being still and letting our minds wander, preventing the very thing that might lead to much better things. Thanks, Yi!
I started writing a middle grade action/adventure story. That keeps me occupied to the extent it crowds out other things I’d really like to do. The downside of Type A.
Good for you! There is simply not enough time to do everything we’d like to do, so we make choices. It sounds like you’ve made a good choice. Thanks, Curt!
Recently we had an epic gathering of our peeps to celebrate our last two grands graduating from high school. I lost count at 46 people. The age range of our tribe is 2 years to 94. It was so amazing to sit and chat with the 94 year old who still travels and the 95 year old who is disabled but still crochets little dolls for a charity that sends them to children in 3rd world countries. These elders are so inspiring. I am the youngest of the oldies - the whippersnapper at 79 but the energy of everyone coming together with such joy says more than I could write in a book.
That sounds absolutely wonderful, Meema! I love to hear about families and/or groups with such a great age range getting together. What a gift! And we can learn so much from different generations. No boredom there! Thanks so much for your comment!
No boredom here. This year has been one gathering benchmark celebration after another. We even have to double up on some dates, like Mother's Day and Father's Day combined with birthdays. i told my oldest daughter we need a spreadsheet!
This is such a timely post, Judy. I'm currently finding with greater control of my schedule in retirement that I am drawn repeatedly to things that give me a dopamine rush, versus the things that may be more long-term but more fruitful. In my day, that looks like feeling drawn to playing a computer game or rushing to and from volunteer opportunities, versus reading the Dallas Willard book that has been on my nightstand for months. I have to be careful that I don't define "boredom" as any time that doesn't give me a sense of immediate gratification! Thanks, Judy!
I have to watch similar tendencies, and am usually successful. I only let myself do mindless stuff after 8:30 or so while we’re unwinding and watching TV. By then, I’m done! Thanks for your thoughts, Tom!