Get bored easily

I do things with intensity then become bored easily. I don't know the reason, and wonder, is it my illness? I played the violin for twenty years then quit because I felt unchallenged. Then, I went into healthcare but became sick but did this for about ten years then quit because I was awful at it. Now, I'm beginning to feel bored with my man at times but still like him. We have been communicating and seeing each other for two years. I like him but am worried that I might become bored and do at times. However, I really enjoy communicating and being with him so try to overcome my feelings of boredom with him. I feel happy and know I need some excitement at times. Thus, I try to write my penpals but they are becoming boring to me too now although I've been writing them for a month daily. Thus, is it my illness, I have Schizoaffective disorder, or is it my personality? I think it may be both a combination of apathy and anhedonia intermixed with hypomania? Do other people become bored too easily? I am trying to overcome this boredom issue but at the same time not become too stressed by too much excitement. I want to find a middle ground but wonder if I ever will in anything I do or pursue. I have a bit of hypomania which helps but at times is too much for me too. I like to do things and push myself at times, but when I don't want to do anything, I do nothing for awhile. Then, I repeat this cycle of being intense then being apathetic. If it is my illness, I can't help it except continue with my medication. If it is not and my personality, I will go to counseling or try to figure what I can do to cope with my cycle of ups and downs. Thank you for reading this, and for sharing your opinions/and or advice!

Do you have any goals? I think one way to fight boredom and the mental health ups and down is to have goals and routines. If you can figure out something you want to work towards then you will be able to use that hypo energy in a way that benefits you (self improvement, projects, earning money). When we are low energy, it is best to force ourselves to continue to work towards some of the same goals though we might not get as much done. There are some things I do, like my daily 4.5 mile walk, whether I am in the mood or not. The thing is, once I get out there, I usually find that I enjoy it. My medications smooth out the ups and downs to some extent but IMO having a routine that you stick with might be even more important than medications.

Do you have a routine that you always stick too! Routines help us maintain when our energy is low. Do you have a job or a source of income of your own? With a source of income, it is easier not to be bored.

I can't stick to a routine. At best, I worked for four years straight then could not do it anymore because of my illness. I also don't like living alone where I was until last year. I like living with my family although there are more chores to do. I wish I could have a routine but know that it would become boring for me which comes from apathy. I think I can work again to some extent and will have to work after I leave here. However, it does not excite me. I am lethargic/tired too at times and I do push myself to do things but when I am apathetic it is very difficult to do anything. I think it is stemming from my illness and side effects of my medication. I will just have to grin and bear it, I guess. I am doing well but not so well that I can do a full-time job and undertake much stress. I will find some part-time jobs to do and focus on these. Until then, I will try to keep busy with my chores and studying. I don't want to spend my life on doing things I don't want to do either, such as meaningless jobs or jobs that are not fulfilling. I am blessed to have a family who is supportive of me. But, I can't depend on them permanently and will do my best to survive somehow. I am hoping that I will gain more stamina from walking. I will have to walk everywhere when I live where I was until last year.I will return there because my parents will live there too at times. I just have to ensure that I receive my shots monthly and not go without my medication. For me, being off medication is a nightmare! Everything else will fall into place if I put my mind to doing it when my mind is stable. I wish I could be self-sufficient one day but at my age, I know that I should just go with the flow. I feel blessed with what I have.I have a relatively stable mind now and good health. I just have this illness and no other comorbidity. I feel ok. I have a man friend who adores me. I also have a family who loves me. I am doing ok now and am rather spoiled to say that I am bored at times. I should say I am grateful for what I have and so be it. Thank you for your opinion because it made me realize that may be I have it too easy.

I totally understand what you're saying. I've been for almost a year feeling apathy caused by an extreme and chronic feeling of boredom I can't seem to get rid of. But, I must say, that routines aren't your friends. Sticking to a routine or any timetable isn't good for you if you're suffering from this, and it won't let you get over this. I tried it myself, tried to keep doing a routine: listening the same songs, going to school, waking up at the same hour, doing the same things, playing the same games, talking with the same people, reading the same... I noticed that, what it only did, is to get rid of my interest for any of these things, decreasing every day I repeated the same routine-activities.

While I didn't find a solution, I did reduce this feeling of boredom, by constantly changing things, and seeking more stimulating activities. If apathy comes, I start singing songs out loud. If I'm reading X book and I'm tired by half the book, I start reading another book. This constantly, and if I get tired of all options left, I get back to the first activity/routine, in an infinite cycle of changes. This has kind of helped me reduce the feeling, but I can't promise you anything.

I was prepared to respond with an "I feel you, yadda yadda, boredom is torture, something something." But twenty years? If you manage to find enjoyment from a hobby for two decades, I think you're doing fine. I'm lucky to get a couple of months out of a new hobby before it starts getting tedious. I got bored of sky diving halfway to the ****ing ground.

What do you want? Do you want routine? Because it kinda seems like you don't. And that's fine. What's so great about routine anyway?

You are right! BPForever played the violin and kept the same job 10 years--that is sticking to a routine.

Sometimes routines get dull (like brushing my teeth and washing my face twice a day) but they pay off in the long run. Also, routines like going to bed at the same time every night help keep my moods more stable. I have been diagnosed with BP2 and IMO, I have been mostly high functioning because of sticking to a daily routine. Of course it is great to change up routines so that you have new things to look forward to but when you have bipolar, IMO, it is good to make changes that don't effect your stability. BPForvever recognizes this.

BPForever, having a part time job does give me something to look forward to. If you have a bachelor's degree (in any specialty) -- you might enjoy working for VIPKids (Teach English Online | VIPKid). I find that I look forward to seeing my students everyday. Kids add excitement to your life from my POV.

I think your Medication has something to do with this. Please tell your doctor about this.