Is it Normal to Feel Bored & Unmotivated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 51, and a self-employed full-time working mom of two upper teens. Over the past year or so I have started feeling very unmotivated and bored with many aspects of my life. [SNIP]
I care a ton about my family and I'm fortunate to have a close circle of girl friends but I find myself just not giving a shit anymore about a lot. I'm not sure if that is normal and healthy or alarming. I kind of feel good about it.

Sounds like a normal and healthy change of life to me, especially since you kind of feel good about it. If you felt bad about it, then I would look for solutions.

If you haven’t already, you might want to read up on the subject, Christiane Northrup has a book, which might be a bit woo-woo for you, but it could be helpful if you like it. Read up on the “crone” years. Some women turn more outward, some turn inward.

I get the sense you are in a transition and will be discovering new interests or re-discovering interests that have been hibernating during your “mother” years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 51, and a self-employed full-time working mom of two upper teens. Over the past year or so I have started feeling very unmotivated and bored with many aspects of my life. I work out because I have to, but I don't love it and I am no longer waking up at 5:30 am to do it. I'm also not taking every exercise class around town like I used to. It's not that I've let myself go; but rather I just don't think its matters. I can work really hard and its not going to make a difference for me. Its all diet. I am doing my job well but I don't feel super motivated to do more. I could be trying to make more money but I kind of don't feel like it. I don't want to work around the clock anymore. I've done that. I don't want to go to the neighborhood halloween parade because I don't care about little kids costumes anymore. I care a ton about my family and I'm fortunate to have a close circle of girl friends but I find myself just not giving a shit anymore about a lot. I'm not sure if that is normal and healthy or alarming. I kind of feel good about it.

This should be its own thread. Lol to the way you just insertd that in there

[Anonymous]

I am similar age to the OP and definitely bored and unmotivated. I have more free time than at any point in my adult life, and I accomplish way less than at any point in my life. I used to do everything and manage to keep a clean house, like deep clean. Now I do the bare minimum like keeping the clothes, toilets, and dishes clean but neglect the bigger cleaning that I used to do regularly.

[Anonymous]

To me, that sounds like depression. When activities that once brought joy no longer do, that is a major sign.

[Anonymous]

I felt this way and retired at 50 - 2 yrs back - best decision ever. I know SO MANY young ones who passed away early. I've worked for 23 years that was plenty. DH is OK for now but is planning the same at 55.

[Anonymous]

I feel this and I don’t think it is normal. I am wondering if it is depression as well.

[Anonymous]

It sounds normal to me. You are nearing the last phase of your life and it can bring up a lot of reflective emotions. Plus you are naturally slowing down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I've NEVER felt this way before. I have always been super motivated. Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed at all. I'm pretty happy. I am very interested in traveling and planning vacations as well as team tennis. On the weekends I like to go out to lunch and dinner with family and friends. It's not like I'm a recluse but I just don't care that much about a lot of other things.

This is me exactly. 55 years old.

The past 2 years, I just don't gos about work. My youngest is finishing their college apps, and all of us can't wait for that to be completed.

The only thing that excites me is traveling. I'm at my most happiest when traveling. It doesn't even have to be international travel. Even just driving from place to place makes me happy.

I used to love to garden, but my garden now looks awful. I have to go out there and pull the plants from the summer that are now all dead, but I don't want to do it. I don't mind meeting up with friends and family, but I only want to meet up with a select few friends.

I do think I'm a bit depressed. I'm thinking of going on SSRI or something.

I could have written this...

[Anonymous]

Wellbutrin works great for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I felt this way and retired at 50 - 2 yrs back - best decision ever. I know SO MANY young ones who passed away early. I've worked for 23 years that was plenty. DH is OK for now but is planning the same at 55.

Work is actually something that I really enjoy now. Kids are older and I don’t feel so rushed. I am getting paid a lot and senior enough to have a lot of flexibility (unlimited annual leave, flex hours etc). So I don’t think retirement is the dream for me as it would be for some in tougher work environments. Nevertheless I do feel at a loose end and unmotivated with regards to exercise for example (I do it but no longer have the drive I used to). Similarly don’t get as excited about things that I used to. I do think it might be mild depression.

[Anonymous]

I also used to suffer from heavy periods and intense cramps, as well as ibs-d. Both have gotten better (now 49), so the sweating, interrupted sleep and mood swings in peri seem relatively mild (for me).