[email protected]

Elaine wrote:

> I still don't fully
> understand why I get so bored with everything maybe I'll never know. But it
>
> is painful, it's not a minor irritation for everyone, for me and maybe some
>
> of our children, it's a life detractor.
>
>
Hi,
This really got me to thinking. I wonder if we all use the same word,
boredom, to describe an emotion that really may be unique to each of us.
For me, boredom usually occurs when I want to do something, but am kept
from doing it, and nothing else is quite as good. So it's closely related to
frustration. I WANT to play on the computer, but someone else is sitting
there. I WAS PLANNING to spend the day with my daughter (she's grown up and
moved out), but the car isn't running. Now, I COULD wash the dishes or fold
the clothes. There's always plenty of housework to do. But I'd still be
bored. Boredom isn't having nothing to do, it's being unable to do what I
really want to be doing.
I think (based on some conversations I've heard) that when kids say "I'm
bored", parents hear "I don't have anything to do" or "I want you to help me
think of something to do". Maybe that's not what the kids are saying (maybe
it is).
What does boredom mean to YOU?
Mary J


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have a Nice Day!

I would say that my definition of boredom is the same as yours.

Kristen

----- Original Message -----
From: mc1mommy@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 9:58 AM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] what does boredom mean to you?


Elaine wrote:

> I still don't fully
> understand why I get so bored with everything maybe I'll never know. But it
>
> is painful, it's not a minor irritation for everyone, for me and maybe some
>
> of our children, it's a life detractor.
>
>
Hi,
This really got me to thinking. I wonder if we all use the same word,
boredom, to describe an emotion that really may be unique to each of us.
For me, boredom usually occurs when I want to do something, but am kept
from doing it, and nothing else is quite as good. So it's closely related to
frustration. I WANT to play on the computer, but someone else is sitting
there. I WAS PLANNING to spend the day with my daughter (she's grown up and
moved out), but the car isn't running. Now, I COULD wash the dishes or fold
the clothes. There's always plenty of housework to do. But I'd still be
bored. Boredom isn't having nothing to do, it's being unable to do what I
really want to be doing.
I think (based on some conversations I've heard) that when kids say "I'm
bored", parents hear "I don't have anything to do" or "I want you to help me
think of something to do". Maybe that's not what the kids are saying (maybe
it is).
What does boredom mean to YOU?
Mary J


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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[email protected]

On Tue, 7 Jan 2003 09:58:31 EST mc1mommy@... writes:
> What does boredom mean to YOU?

I guess, to me, boredom would be described as the lack of inspiration or
excitement in the things I do. It is the monotony of the day in/day out
things I have to do to keep my family clothed and fed, and keep my house
from having a sign hung on it saying *Danger Zone*. I do find much
enjoyment in seeing my children grow, learn, interact, love. And the
processes they go through to achieve these things is anything but boring.
But it seems that in my life, I can't find that balance. I'm sure this
all will change as my 5yo and 3yo get older, but these years have so much
impact on the rest of their life that I want to find this balance before
it is too late. I'm also a person very much effected by the weather, and
it has been just miserable here for weeks. I know I won't feel so bored
or disenchanted with life once the sun comes out, and I'm sure my
children will respond positively to my new ambitions.

Wende

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Tia Leschke

> I think (based on some conversations I've heard) that when kids say "I'm
> bored", parents hear "I don't have anything to do" or "I want you to help
me
> think of something to do". Maybe that's not what the kids are saying
(maybe
> it is).
> What does boredom mean to YOU?

About the only time I get bored is when I'm sick or injured and have already
read as much as I can handle but can't do anything else but sleep.
Tia

Tia Leschke

I'm also a person very much effected by the weather, and
> it has been just miserable here for weeks. I know I won't feel so bored
> or disenchanted with life once the sun comes out, and I'm sure my
> children will respond positively to my new ambitions.

Maybe one of those full spectrum lights over an area where you spend much of
your time would help.
Tia

Betsy

**I'm also a person very much effected by the weather, and
it has been just miserable here for weeks. I know I won't feel so bored
or disenchanted with life once the sun comes out, and I'm sure my
children will respond positively to my new ambitions.**

I can relate. A little bit of sunshine is a big mood booster for me.
The lack of it is a definite downer.

I have flourescent lighting in my new kitchen and I'm thinking about
getting full spectrum bulbs for them to simulate sunlight. (But since I
don't spend a huge amount of time in the kitchen, I'd probably need to
drag my computer over there. <g>)

Betsy

Tia Leschke

> It's when there's day after day of sun that I tend to get depressed.
> I really like rain and storms.
> Maybe it's because I don't get exposed to that very often.
>
> Karin in sunny Phoenix, AZ

That very well could be. <g>
Tia in the rainy northwest, but it's sunny today. Yay!

Kelli Traaseth

Boredom to me is having plenty to do, but its not what you truely what to be doing!

I remember when I was a child, I was bored alot! I think if I would have had art supplies or instruments around I probably wouldn't have felt that way, a way to express myself, but that didn't happen until I was older.

When instrument lessons came along, in school, I was no longer bored, (although I was with the lessons) When at home, I could take out my violin or play the piano. I never did get to paint at home though or play with clay, poor me, huh? Pity party for Kelli, <g>

Kelli



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Karin

I know I'm a weird one.
I'm also very affected by weather in the opposite way.
When I look outside and see a cloudy day, my spirits are lifted and I feel
really good.
It's when there's day after day of sun that I tend to get depressed.
I really like rain and storms.
Maybe it's because I don't get exposed to that very often.

Karin in sunny Phoenix, AZ


>
> **I'm also a person very much effected by the weather, and
> it has been just miserable here for weeks. I know I won't feel so bored
> or disenchanted with life once the sun comes out, and I'm sure my
> children will respond positively to my new ambitions.**
>
> I can relate. A little bit of sunshine is a big mood booster for me.
> The lack of it is a definite downer.
>
> I have flourescent lighting in my new kitchen and I'm thinking about
> getting full spectrum bulbs for them to simulate sunlight. (But since I
> don't spend a huge amount of time in the kitchen, I'd probably need to
> drag my computer over there. <g>)
>
> Betsy

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/7/03 12:16:08 PM, curtkar@... writes:

<< I'm also very affected by weather in the opposite way.
When I look outside and see a cloudy day, my spirits are lifted and I feel
really good.
It's when there's day after day of sun that I tend to get depressed.
I really like rain and storms.
>>

<<Karin in sunny Phoenix, AZ >>

I'm the same way, and I live in Albuqueruqe, but friends who know that
overcast days make me sing and dance say "You should move to Seattle."

Too much sun is oppressive. Makes my head implode.

Sandra

Karin

>
> I'm the same way, and I live in Albuqueruqe, but friends who know that
> overcast days make me sing and dance say "You should move to Seattle."
>
> Too much sun is oppressive. Makes my head implode.
>
> Sandra


I agree!
Me too!

Karin

elaine greenwood-hyde

> What does boredom mean to YOU?
>Mary J

Hi
Hard to describe really as it varies, boredom has different qualities
for me. Sometimes it's when I know I want to do something (actually I NEED
to do something) and I can't figure out what that 'something' is, nothing
else will do...it makes me feel sick.

Other times it feels like I'm slowly dying, this is usually when I work for
someone else, in fact more than once while employed (and on courses) it's
ended in clinical depression. It's like a deadening of the soul...I need
something more interesting than this kind of thing but more so. This always
happes within 3 months of starting whatever it is.

It's haunted my life I haven't been able to stick to a 'normal' job. This
isn't something I normaly talk about as to tell the truth I feel a failure,
even though I've chosen to stay at home with my children my failure to stay
in a job or stick a course still haunts me. I do like being at home but over
here it has even less standing than in the US.

I like being at home but I always think I should be doing something else,
maybe something to do with my upbringing? Brought up in a single parent
hosuehold where working is they key to self esteem. My mother actually said
top OD once " it doesn't matter if you don't have any fun in life as long as
you've got a good job" I mean...what!

This is turning out to be much harder than I thought. I think it isn't just
boredom I have a problem with. Everyone here (UK) seems to think the key to
everything is working at paid employment or being self employed. Even in
counselling this comes in. Maybe I'm just suited to being a domestic person?
I feel so restless but maybe it's coming from beig uder constat pressure to
be a 'success'? Annoys the hell out of me though that the majority of people
assume you must be stupid if you're at home full time. I really hate that
lack of respect.

BWs Elaine







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[email protected]

In a message dated 1/8/03 2:00:10 AM, elainegh8@... writes:

<< Maybe I'm just suited to being a domestic person? >>

Whether you are or not, that's where you are now. THAT might be the job you
can stick with happily.

If you make each day a good, happy day as though tomorrow you had to go to
work, maybe you'll start liking it better!

Sandra

Fetteroll

on 1/7/03 12:02 PM, love-it-here@... at love-it-here@... wrote:

> I guess, to me, boredom would be described as the lack of inspiration or
> excitement in the things I do. It is the monotony of the day in/day out
> things I have to do to keep my family clothed and fed, and keep my house
> from having a sign hung on it saying *Danger Zone*.

That's sounding like it has some elements of depression. Maybe Sensonal
Affective Disorder (SAD) which sun as people suggested helps. The worst part
about depression is that it's self-perpetuating. Sometimes there may be a
specific something that has build up to make us feel trapped but depression
makes none of the solutions seem worthwhile.

So is it the monotony of life that's making you feel bored/depressed? Or is
it the depression that's making life seem monotonous?

Joyce

[email protected]

In a message dated 1/8/2003 3:00:22 AM Central Standard Time,
elainegh8@... writes:

> It's haunted my life I haven't been able to stick to a 'normal' job. This
> isn't something I normaly talk about as to tell the truth I feel a failure,
>
> even though I've chosen to stay at home with my children my failure to stay
>
> in a job or stick a course still haunts me. I do like being at home but
> over
> here it has even less standing than in the US.
>

I have a problem like that. I get extremely bored with my surroundings, what
I'm doing, whatever, and I have to make a change. I'm surprised I've only
been married twice. ;)

I usually make jobs last more than 3 months, though. Unless it's a temp job.
I walked out of a temp job a couple of years ago. Secretly spirited my
office plants away, left for lunch and never went back. I was so INCREDIBLY
bored. But they all loved me there so much that I had negotiated reduced
hours (the work was too easy for me).

I also move a lot. The longest I've been in any one house is 5 years,
although I've lived in the same city for 10 (with a little break to somewhere
else in between). Luckily I married someone who grew up in the Air Force, so
he's not averse. My kids have suffered in some ways, but I believe they have
benefitted, as well.

I never thought that I would be one to travel a lot. But I did start
travelling about 8 years ago, and it has made a heck of a difference. I just
need to get outta Dodge every once in a while, and it helps me not want to
move entirely. <g>

I used to rationalize all the moves and discontent as circumstantial, but as
I look back now on 20 years of it, I can see that it's a pattern for me. It
would be good to know exactly why it's so appealing.

All that said, I'm going back to work (temporarily <g>). Dh wants to start a
side business this year, and the economy has his job on the edge, so we're
trying to get our ducks in a row. So if you don't see me around here much,
you'll know why.

Tuck


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