Well, it’s that time that rolls around every few years: I get in a major rut. No kids, and girlfriend works opposite shifts so I have a lot of free time alone. I’ve been at my job long enough that it isn’t new and exciting, but not long enough that I can compete for a promotion. I just finished reading my latest batch of books, and there’s no video games on the horizon that I can’t wait to play. I’ve been doing a lot of independent research related to my job, but nothing that’s ever going to make a lick of difference past making me slightly better at it.
Now, last time I felt this way I packed up my car one day and moved 6 states away (Michigan to Texas). Got bored after a month and came back. That was fun, but since I’m still paying that off I can’t afford that again. Got a M.S. degree once when bored as well. Recently I’ve been trying a lot of new hobbies, but nothing has caught my interest yet.
What do you all do when you get in a rut? Apply for a different job? Go on a shopping spree to change your style of dress? Buy a quasi-dangerous toy like a jet-ski? Get a new pet?
Travel to a different country for a month or two and see how you feel about things. That always changes my perspective and sometimes open up new possibilities.
I do nothing but wallow in it.
spending other people’s money sure is easy, isn’t it?
Not excited about Battlefield 3?
IMHO what you are describing is less of a “rut” and more of a general feeling of boredom and directionlessness. The problem when you move to a new city or take a new job is that you don’t really know anyone and haven’t yet built any real connection to the place. The “newness” can be exciting in and of itself for a little while. But at some point if you aren’t developing relationships or routine or some sort of connection to the place, you get board and want to move on.
Take up a cheap, offbeat hobby like mountain hiking or geo-caching. Go to meetup.com and do new things.
Without mincing words, it sounds like you’re incredibly volatile. Most people don’t feel the need to completely uproot their life when they get into a predictable pattern of events and behavior. Maybe it’s just good old-fashioned wanderlust, but is it possible you’re running away “from something”?
Typically I’ll wander aimlessly through the woods but with a maniacally determined look in my eyes. When I chance upon a female of breeding age I’ll follow her around, maybe with some grass & weeds tangled up in my antlers, and mate as often and as furiously as I can. Often I’ll need to keep several females around to satisfy my lust. And heaven help the poor bastard who tries to come between me and my harem!