Too easily bored?

[gapremed]

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I'm not sure if this post belongs here or in the Lounge...but the post titles in the Lounge seem to have gotten pretty out there lately...

I've been wondering lately if I am too easily bored, because I get really annoyed when there is nothing to occupy my mind. I can definitely FIND things to do, like read or look up random things on the internet, but the problem is really when it's impossible to do any of those kinds of things...I'm talking about when I'm driving for over an hour or so, or working (in the boring, boring job I just started...nothing going on in the office and still you're not allowed to pull out a book! Well, I haven't asked if I'm allowed...but I assume I'm not...especially since I've just been observing so far and I'm not even a paid employee yet!).

And I am amazed at how "normal" people can work every day at 9-to-5 jobs without falling asleep! I have gotten so bored at work lately I feel almost like I'm going crazy...and I'm dreading even going back tomorrow, much less the many days that will likely follow. Does this mean I should quit the job, and try to find something more stimulating, or is it just my personality?! I did work in a lab one semester for research credit...it was only 8 hours a week and I thought I was losing my mind with boredom! That's when I quickly realized a Ph.D. was not for me!

But even when I'm driving, and have the radio on with music I like, I still feel like my mind is just searching for something to focus on...on the last trip I've had to make, I even put in some Learn Spanish audio tapes, but they were very hard to hear over my old, rattling car on the highway....and when you turn the volume up it seems like you lose half the frequencies...

So I'm not quite sure what to do...is this some odd personality flaw of mine, or something most people feel? I mentioned to my parents that I found my job boring, and my dad just said "that's why they call it work!". I guess that's true, but it's not very helpful...I only plan to have this job a year (and then hopefully go to med school), but even a year of all-day boredom is too much for me.

I guess it could also be true that you make your own boredom, and that you can choose to think about whatever you like...but when I have nothing for my mind to focus on except the road ahead or some paperwork, I find it hard to make it interesting! Any ideas?!

Thanks!

 

[dl2dp2]

Actually doing a PhD in math might be a good option for you

 

[phar]

you will get better response in the lounge. double post anyway

 

[indo]

Originally posted by gapremed
I'm not sure if this post belongs here or in the Lounge...but the post titles in the Lounge seem to have gotten pretty out there lately...

I've been wondering lately if I am too easily bored, because I get really annoyed when there is nothing to occupy my mind. I can definitely FIND things to do, like read or look up random things on the internet, but the problem is really when it's impossible to do any of those kinds of things...I'm talking about when I'm driving for over an hour or so, or working (in the boring, boring job I just started...nothing going on in the office and still you're not allowed to pull out a book! Well, I haven't asked if I'm allowed...but I assume I'm not...especially since I've just been observing so far and I'm not even a paid employee yet!).

And I am amazed at how "normal" people can work every day at 9-to-5 jobs without falling asleep! I have gotten so bored at work lately I feel almost like I'm going crazy...and I'm dreading even going back tomorrow, much less the many days that will likely follow. Does this mean I should quit the job, and try to find something more stimulating, or is it just my personality?! I did work in a lab one semester for research credit...it was only 8 hours a week and I thought I was losing my mind with boredom! That's when I quickly realized a Ph.D. was not for me!

But even when I'm driving, and have the radio on with music I like, I still feel like my mind is just searching for something to focus on...on the last trip I've had to make, I even put in some Learn Spanish audio tapes, but they were very hard to hear over my old, rattling car on the highway....and when you turn the volume up it seems like you lose half the frequencies...

So I'm not quite sure what to do...is this some odd personality flaw of mine, or something most people feel? I mentioned to my parents that I found my job boring, and my dad just said "that's why they call it work!". I guess that's true, but it's not very helpful...I only plan to have this job a year (and then hopefully go to med school), but even a year of all-day boredom is too much for me.

I guess it could also be true that you make your own boredom, and that you can choose to think about whatever you like...but when I have nothing for my mind to focus on except the road ahead or some paperwork, I find it hard to make it interesting! Any ideas?!

Thanks!

You superior intellect is probably why you are bored w/ stimuli that us normal people enjoy.

 

[gapremed]

Indo, you're being sarcastic, right?! I hope my post didn't make me sound like I was saying the reason I get bored is because I'm smart...I definitely don't consider myself smarter than most people, at least not than most med school applicants! Just wanted to set that straight...

 

[enamine]

wow.... this totally describes me, i get bored so easily... i worked in a lab for 10 hours a week and also found it to be excrutiatingly boring. I also cannot fathom how people work at 9-to-5 jobs that they dont even like.

oh yeah, but I also have ADD... taking medication for it helps for a little while, but after you take it for many months/years it starts to lose its effect

 

[lil pook]

Party a lot. That will help your boredom. You'll be so hung over, you won't be thinking about how bored you are.

 

[woolie]

I think you're probably just a smart person who is bored by the lack of stimualtion found in most jobs; I agree with you and feel like I should do a math PhD because I am so incredibly bored right now, too. Now that the MCAT is over I feel like sheesh! what should I be doing with the other 22 hours of the day?

I have been thinking of finishing up a second degree in chemistry - my postbacc work was done under the tittle of 2nd degree in Chemistry. This would mean a full year of PChem, Analytical and Quantitative plus whatever else I coud squeeze in. I find I am really happiest when 1) working my butt off in difficult courses and 2) working my butt of being around patients.

Everything else is a big yawn and feels very dissatisfying to me, so you're not alone.

 

[jalan2]

I've been bored a lot at work too, but the thought of the light at the end of the tunnel in a couple of months (I'll quit before school starts) and the $$$ that I really need has prevented me from quitting prematurely (so far 😉 ). For me personally, that shows that great $$$ and convenient hours alone can't motivate me.

Even worse now, everything that I do at work just seem meaningless. I've been counting down to quitting my job pretty much for the last two years. So I totally understand about "dreading to go to work" thing. But my head wins over my heart on this one since I need my current cushy (but boring 🙂 )job to support my family and pay for mortgage and med school.

Hang in there buddy... At least you're pursuing your dream, not like a lot of people out there that are stuck in a job that they hate for the rest of their lives because they have kids to feed etc etc... Depending on your current job and situation (what you'd like to gain out of working during this year-- whether it's money or the experience), you should be able to realistically list your pros and cons of changing job or sticking it out for a year.

I think I'm just blabbing, hopefully you get something out of it... 😀 Oh yeah, another thing, for me the "dreading to go to work" thing has motivated me even more to maximize my effort in the application effort this 2003 cycle.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[RoseLee]

Wow. I have the same problem as the OP. My job bores me to tears (I'm a high tech marketing manager) as it feels so meaningless. 😡 It's so hard to focus on writing marketing material in order to make my bosses richer. 🙂

However, on the positive side, like the previous poster, it motivates me to get the hell out of there and get my butt into medical school. It also motivated me to complete a second bachelor's degree so I could at least have some mental stimulation!

Thanks for posting this. It's nice to know I'm not alone. 🙂

Roselee