Do this when it gets boring (Makes anything fun again)

Anything can get stale

Anything gets boring when it becomes predictable or frustrating (or both).

When we engage in activities that are predictable or frustrating, it can be easy to lose interest and motivation. That's how we end up hating things! On the other hand, activities that are novel and challenging can be more engaging and rewarding. It's important to find a balance between these two extremes, as too much novelty or challenge can also be overwhelming or frustrating. Variety and balance are key to maintaining interest and motivation in any activity.

Perhaps you can trick yourself into making something that is no longer novel.... novel again.

Author Ross McCammon writes about a time when his kids were bored at home (Via Amy Shearn).

So he gave them an intriguing but simple mental challenge...

A useful mental exercise

“Pretend this is the first time you’ve ever been to this house. this is an Airbnb now, and you just walked in the door. What would you do if it was your first time here?"

I want you to do the exact same thing, but for whatever you’re finding dull in your life. Career, relationship, hobby, anything.

What would it feel like if you were completely new to this? If today was day 1, what would you do?

Overall, the key is to approach whatever you're finding dull with a sense of curiosity and openness.

By embracing new experiences and opportunities, we can find new sources of excitement and fulfillment. It's important to be open to trying new things and taking risks, even if we're not sure how things will turn out. This can help us stay engaged and motivated, and can help us discover new passions and interests.

This can be a fun and interesting mental exercise that can help you practice mindfulness and perspective-taking. When you engage in this exercise, you can try to approach the environment with fresh eyes, as if you are seeing it for the first time. You can take a moment to notice and explore new or old ideas reframed.