A bored person is a boring person

Would it be possible to meet locally with other GNs over a coffee? I have been meeting 3 very locally for over 5 years and we get on so well.

I meet another group of GNs, sometimes around 8 turn up. I have become friendly with one and we meet separately from the others as and when. Distance and travel is a problem for both of us but we manage.

Have you got a U3A near you? They have meet-ups mainly over lunch so that may be another option to meet people.

I dont know if this is helpful. But it's ok to be bored sometimes. It's really useful for children to be bored sometimes for example. There are quite a few studies on it!

Galaxy - yes, very true. Boredom cultivates creativity, so I do worry about kids that are constantly entertained. I don't often feel bored as I dabble in a lot of hobbies and enjoy my own company. If I feel the need to be with a group of people, I'll join a class - even if it's a long journey and takes up the day. It's the easiest way to socialise for me - along with the dog walking that's found me local friends.

Why are you in a village when it doesn’t suit you?

I still work part time but it’s my own business and I can go weeks without work.
I read, cook, exercise,walk, do Ancestry family tree research and garden, I don’t do a lot of meeting friends during the day, it’s only occasional.
I think it’s as much about being happy with your own company.
Would you take on a pet or find some volunteer work or paid work?

There are masses of zoom events.. you could look at Meetup and U3A for live events. Check out your local library for any activity groups. If you drive there must be events in your local town. Or maybe even put a advert in your village shop asking if anyone fancies meeting for a coffee. Local villagers might know of events happening. I don't have a dog but I gather it's a great way of making friends.. good luck

My dad used to say: Nothing is boring; people are bored.

The village is fine, it's me that's the problem. Dogs (and children) are great 'introducers' but OH doesn't want another dog. I've tried or still do all things suggested (thank you everyone) and I'm generally happy in my own company. But not always - I enjoy the occasional conversation with someone other than OH, I like to do something different. Don't we all? Circumstances have changed and I haven't found replacements for good friends or favourite places that used to do the trick when boredom struck.

Go and do something physically and mentally challenging like learning to fly a microlight, or sail a dinghy or ride a horse or do some mountain biking.
If you don't like any physical danger, join the local am dram society or a choir or learn a musical instrument.
Coffee mornings aren't going to do it.

“The village is fine”

I asked because I know I couldn’t live in a village. I was brought up in one and thought I would like to move back to one but I found that I’m not someone who can go on seeing the same people and having the same conversations no matter whether it was Garden Club, Book Club, Church or WI.

It was like Groundhog Day😬

How about trying something you don't think you'll enjoy? Perverse I know, but if I thought I was bored I'd challenge myself with, say, a cookery course (hate cooking) just for the experience. Currently I'm doing a silversmithing course and once I'm off crutches (roll on December) I want to learn welding.

You could start up a group if you're that type. I brought together a group of 10 knitters and it's become a lovely social gathering in a café. I really hope you feel inspired soon - there's so much out there to enjoy.

Sidelined? I apologise if this sounds unsympathetic, but it really is all up to you. If there is nothing that relieves the boredom, then why not be proactive and engender some enthusiasm into your rural life. There are usually local community online groups, eg Nextdoor.com or local villages, where you can invite others to join you for walks, coffee, garden visits - anything which ticks your box. You can’t sit back and wait for it to come to you!

Is there a u3a near you.? Ours is very friendly and there are groups to cater for all interests. It is member led so you could always start a group if there is something you fancy that they don't already do.

I agree with Lathyrus you sound like a sociable person so why continue to live in a small rural village?

I know I couldn't.
I have a friend who lives in a remote farmhouse, alone, in the north of Scotland. She's often cut off in winter and huddles in one room to keep warm alive
She loves the solitude. She watches the birds and wildlife. She walks by the sea. She's a weaver and grows her own plants for natural dyes. She spins.
She volunteers at a Pictish ancient place so I suppose she has friends but she doesn't need people and she is never bored

Sidelined

The village is fine, it's me that's the problem. Dogs (and children) are great 'introducers' but OH doesn't want another dog. I've tried or still do all things suggested (thank you everyone) and I'm generally happy in my own company. But not always - I enjoy the occasional conversation with someone other than OH, I like to do something different. Don't we all? Circumstances have changed and I haven't found replacements for good friends or favourite places that used to do the trick when boredom struck.

Theirin lies the problem imo! I didn’t want another dog because I wanted to travel while I was young enough to do so. Thankfully DH wanted one so, after a year out we acquired another dog 41/2 years ago. Because, when the pandemic hit it was just the three of us for ages as we were being very careful not to catch covid. We’re still not eg going to cinemas or theatres but we’ve met lots of fellow dog walkers over the past few years and the conversations I’ve had with them have preserved my sanity! What’s lovely is that their dogs remember me even if we haven’t seen each other for ages. Yesterday a dog came bounding up to us on the beach that I hadn’t seen for ages and it was like something out of a romantic novel: joy unbounded on both our parts. And he led us back to the three ladies that walk together every day ( I’m so envious of them) and we hadn’t chatted to them for ages. I’ve even made a wonderful new friend that I got chatting to in a nearby town because I fell in love with her beautiful dog. I’ve, sadly, lost several of my dearest friends recently and it’s great to make a new one. Apart from that my ‘social’ life seems to comprise of chatting to internet chums and listening to podcasts! I wouldn’t be without my dog, though: I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her.

Every now and then I just have to have my 'London fix'.
I book myself on to a walking tour/guided tour round a museum/ whatever and into a hotel for a night. OH is welcome to come along too if he wants to, but usually doesn't.
Just that little break is enough to refresh and revitalise, and I appreciate the clean air when I get back home!

Lixy, your London fix sounds wonderful. I’m a Londoner and miss it but it would overwhelm me now.

My boredom is a short-lived thing - 24-48 hours at most, I’m a bear with a sore head, nothing that normally holds my attention looks interesting. I just wondered if anyone else recognised this and had a clever trick or two.

How about a “Loose End” box. You know for when you’re at a loose end😬

It’s got cards in it with things to do written on them. You take one out and you have to dot what it says on the card. No picking and choosing.

Here’s mine.

Photo won’t post. Don’t know why. Perhaps because one of them is clean the bathroom 😱

Clean the bathroom!!! Eeeeeek

It’s like banging your head against the wall.

So nice when you stop.

Most of the others are nice 😂

What is the definition of bored?
I don't think I have ever been bored.
I can only think of times when as a child, it was raining so hard we couldn't play outside and there wasn't anything to do indoors. Is that boredom?

What an assumption to make of someone not really acquainted with. There is a difference between being bored and boring.
I occupy my mind pottering in the garden even in the winter. I love cooking its my passion so are reading and crafting I like the peace.
My DH and I volunteer at our favourite club nothing too taxing just helpful. We have friends all retired as we are and usually busy helping look after GC. We all manage to have meals and drinks out in between family visits and holidays.
I like to keep occupied and even if it’s just shopping I like to be doing something.