A bored person is a boring person

Sidelined, Maybe not get another dog if your OH is not keen but how about fostering a dog as a halfway measure? I don't feel content unless I have a dog. I'm aware rescue centres don't like giving young dogs to older people but a foster may be possible as it's short term. Other people may know more about that than me and it might be possible.

ever thought of meditation/minfulness? when you do it you realise your thoughts are not bored. Some folk can sit with themselves and love it, others hate it.

How about Borrow My Doggy www.borrowmydoggy.com/
One of my friends joined this when her dog passed away, so far she has one 'borrowed' dog and is now really friendly with his owner.

Husband is in an emotional vacuum since retirement and this is now affecting you. I suspect he is liable to a mild depression if not dealt with. This could be an endless loop for You! So You have to take action!

I can see how you are bored. I know of more women who end up leaving the house to go volunteer or find a nice little side-hustle of a part time job (both leading to new friendships, new interests) once the non-motivated hubby has parked himself in his easy chair for the day.

It may sound selfish to say you have to strike out on your own and start doing things for yourself but it’s vital. Take care of yourself.

I do disagree with the notion of not getting a dog just because OH does not want one… sometimes another little joyful beating heart in the house is enough to open up a new space that unites everyone. Go for it.

Wishing you well!
USA Gundy

I have never been bored as such, there’s always something to do. I live in a town. But saying that if I’m not out and about I’m either reading, gardening, watching tele which is quite rare in the daytime, crosswords,or going for a long walk which I love. I do like my own company too though,

I was going to suggest a dog , but if hubbies not keen are there any animal shelters locally? They usually need volunteers

Maybe we all have our own versions of bored? I enjoy my own company - but still do need to see others, at times, talk or go on outings with them. Without my dog I might be too reclusive, though. Perhaps the op could 'borrow' a dog - by offering to walk one?

A change really helps with escaping a tiresome routine. Right now, I'm having a 'holiday at home'. No housework (except essentials), no appointments - and no cooking for a week. I'm still gardening (but only because I enjoy it), reading my book and watching films.

I bought salad and snacks (popcorn and ice cream for once) and I've had a couple of takeaways. It's not extravagant - as I'm not going on holiday this year - so why not?

Have you thought about volunteering - maybe at a local school.

Listening to the children reading and helping them along their way is very rewarding.

You can also do this online, there are various companies around that set things up for you.

That is only if you like children though!

Since retiring I’m never bored, I relish everyday that I can please myself what I do. We all have to make our own “bucket lists “ and follow out own hearts as none of us know what next week may bring and life’s for living . Ive decluttered everywhere and that’s very liberating ! I also live in a village, so I go on long walks and visit friends and go out to lunch. I have 2 sons, one in Kent and one in Jersey and am very lucky as I flit between the 2. My heart is in travelling and have had some amazing holidays, with many more on my list. In the winter months I make patchwork throws ….. so you really need to have a good long walk in the woods and delve into your heart to find out what makes you happy….. good luck.

Well I speak French and English all the time, do lots of gardening, reading and quordling and U3A in French.
I will however happily admit to suffering from periods of boredom throughout my life especially during my childhood.
I don't think there is any intrinsic virtue in never suffering from boredom. Why should there be? Is it not part of the human condition?

Try volunteering, there are so many charities in need of help, Citizen Advice, village hall committees, Age Concern, Woodland Trust, there is so much choice. Our Council has a central body dealing with volunteering that has masses of information. It is a wonderful way to meet like-minded people.
I was listening to Dr Mosley on the radio yesterday who was advocating learning new skills to keep your mind working, He suggested trying three new things: physical, mental and creative. I do a Duolingo stint in Dutch every day, I am not very good but I now really enjoy it, the satisfaction when I get 100% for an exercise! I garden most days when my back allows and belong to a writing group so am doing my best to keep my brain cells functioning and am never bored.

I agree NotSpaghetti .
I volunteer for a couple of worthwhile projects.
When my DM was old and lonely she signed up to be visited by students from her local university.
A new student would be allocated each year. She gave them tea or sherry and they talked.
Some of those students kept up with her for years. One invited her to his 21st, another to her wedding and at least one was at her funeral.

I wonder if you can volunteer in the local town?

Volunteers tend to make new friends.

Tell that to my kids! The most chaos they’ve ever created was because they were bored

I suppose she has friends but she doesn't need people and she is never bored

I think I am like this Scottish lady in that I am "complete" within myself. Divorced early and never wanted children. I dont even have a pet.

Back when I was an academic (1990s) I was visiting Lisbon with some colleagues and they wanted to visit the cathedral. Unfortunately I had a nail poking through the heel of my shoe and every step was agony. There was nothing I could do to correct it. I told them to take as long as they liked as I was quite happy to sit in the little coffee shop outside and wait for them. They were inside for over an hour but the time seemed to pass much more quickly. I enjoy "people watching" so long as I have somewhere comfortable to sit.

My colleagues asked if I had been bored. The answer was no. No i-phones or smartphones back then,

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.

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?

Most of the others are nice 😂

It’s like banging your head against the wall.

So nice when you stop.

Clean the bathroom!!! Eeeeeek

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

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.

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.

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!

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.