What can I do that will clear my head and reinvigorate me?
March 3, 2009 4:26 PM Subscribe
I am bogged down by tedium and want to feel refreshed. What can I do that will clear my head and reinvigorate me?
I spend most of my day in an office in front of a computer and I feel that I've been existing in a series of days that are exactly the same. The near future seems to offer no immediate changes. I am not without direction/ambition/education and I think I am progressing toward a more rewarding way to fill my days. Part of my problem may be that I have too many ideas about what I want. That said, I am just feeling . . . BLAH. I'm feeling stifled and stagnant and like I want to shake up my mind a little bit and then allow my ideas to settle in a clear way. Any suggestions for (relatively inexpensive) things/activities that may help me?
Possibly relevant:
-- I'm 28
-- I'm female
-- I'm in Washington, DC
I'm open to any suggestion. I don't want to influence the answers in any way, but since this is so open-ended -- my ideas so far have tended toward day trips or exhibits or a hike or something. But really, I'm open.
I spend most of my day in an office in front of a computer and I feel that I've been existing in a series of days that are exactly the same. The near future seems to offer no immediate changes. I am not without direction/ambition/education and I think I am progressing toward a more rewarding way to fill my days. Part of my problem may be that I have too many ideas about what I want. That said, I am just feeling . . . BLAH. I'm feeling stifled and stagnant and like I want to shake up my mind a little bit and then allow my ideas to settle in a clear way. Any suggestions for (relatively inexpensive) things/activities that may help me?
Possibly relevant:
-- I'm 28
-- I'm female
-- I'm in Washington, DC
I'm open to any suggestion. I don't want to influence the answers in any way, but since this is so open-ended -- my ideas so far have tended toward day trips or exhibits or a hike or something. But really, I'm open.
Anything outdoors will usually do the trick.
And if you've got some extra cash, try going to the spa or doing some shopping. Getting a different haircut or buying some new clothes often gives me that fresh, re-invigorated feeling.
posted by Grimble at 4:33 PM on March 3, 2009
And if you've got some extra cash, try going to the spa or doing some shopping. Getting a different haircut or buying some new clothes often gives me that fresh, re-invigorated feeling.
posted by Grimble at 4:33 PM on March 3, 2009
In fact I walked all the way home across the city yesterday instead of taking the train, just to get out from behind this computer.
It was really fantastic. I got to see some new neighbourhoods, and stretch my legs. I would recommend this.
posted by dydecker at 4:35 PM on March 3, 2009
It was really fantastic. I got to see some new neighbourhoods, and stretch my legs. I would recommend this.
posted by dydecker at 4:35 PM on March 3, 2009
Deadlift more.
posted by tiburon at 4:57 PM on March 3, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by tiburon at 4:57 PM on March 3, 2009 [3 favorites]
My personal addiction is horseback riding - it opens a whole different view of teamwork, skill-building, exercise and it is very, to me, invigorating. After riding, I feel so different, and so much better, than if I'd just gone for a run. Something about cooling down that horse after jumping and having him rub his head up against me while I give him carrots and scratch the area right between his ears. I don't think about anything else while I'm at the barn. It's heaven.
posted by bunnycup at 6:03 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by bunnycup at 6:03 PM on March 3, 2009
As bunny's example shows, this can be highly variable. Some people I know like to volunteer to walk the dogs at the local animal shelter.
If lived in Washington again, I would buy a bike and spend at least an hour every other day riding on the Mall or on the C and O canal. But that is my bent.
posted by yclipse at 6:35 PM on March 3, 2009
If lived in Washington again, I would buy a bike and spend at least an hour every other day riding on the Mall or on the C and O canal. But that is my bent.
posted by yclipse at 6:35 PM on March 3, 2009
(My fun when I was there was climbing on the rocks on the Maryland side of the Great Falls site, and observing the signs warning that 7 people per year are killed doing just that.)
posted by yclipse at 6:37 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by yclipse at 6:37 PM on March 3, 2009
Plant something and watch it grow: it's different every day.
posted by jschu at 8:23 PM on March 3, 2009
posted by jschu at 8:23 PM on March 3, 2009
If you're feeling stagnant, I would do something that makes you feel like you've improved yourself a little - maybe something that will make you feel like you're learning a new skill. I think progressing in something is important to counteract the feeling of stagnancy, so something ongoing that you can build upon would be good. Maybe you could take a drawing class or take up photography or knitting or something? That way you're creating something tangible too.
It does also sound like you need to get outside too, but I think you probably need to do something to improve your brain as well as something to just get your body moving.
posted by Emilyisnow at 11:02 PM on March 3, 2009
It does also sound like you need to get outside too, but I think you probably need to do something to improve your brain as well as something to just get your body moving.
posted by Emilyisnow at 11:02 PM on March 3, 2009
Not clear what you are doing in front of the computer, but in addition to the above thoughts, maybe find something to do on the side that's a more enjoyable aspect of your work or do what you do as a volunteer for a group whose work you respect, with whom you feel a connection, etc. Among other things, it would involve meeting new people.
From personal experience, my work's involved writing and it could get to or near what you relate so I sought a way to write on the side (occasionally) for fun, with different challenges, people and situations. Long story behind my choice, but I ended up doing some writing for a popular boxing Web site. It's been fantastic in several respects, to include shaking off some stagnation.
In general, one never knows what comes of things.
In the course of doing the boxing writing, a famous boxing promoter gave me his tie after I spoke well of it while interviewing him at ringside right after a big fight. I've since moved several thousand miles away and people across the broadest spectrum of nationalities, faiths, ages and genders have complimented the tie. I'm far from a fashionista, but always happy with appearance-related compliments... and really cool memories.
posted by ambient2 at 11:38 PM on March 3, 2009
From personal experience, my work's involved writing and it could get to or near what you relate so I sought a way to write on the side (occasionally) for fun, with different challenges, people and situations. Long story behind my choice, but I ended up doing some writing for a popular boxing Web site. It's been fantastic in several respects, to include shaking off some stagnation.
In general, one never knows what comes of things.
In the course of doing the boxing writing, a famous boxing promoter gave me his tie after I spoke well of it while interviewing him at ringside right after a big fight. I've since moved several thousand miles away and people across the broadest spectrum of nationalities, faiths, ages and genders have complimented the tie. I'm far from a fashionista, but always happy with appearance-related compliments... and really cool memories.
posted by ambient2 at 11:38 PM on March 3, 2009
I have a similar problem and I recently started doing some crafts. It's fun and it helps make this ugly rental look a little livelier, which helps me feel better too. One thing I do is look out for cheap but pretty picture frames and random patterns or pictures that I think would look good. Gift wrap often turns out quite well. Call it "found art" or whatever, I have fun doing it and it lets my mind wander for a while.
posted by Xianny at 8:47 AM on March 4, 2009
posted by Xianny at 8:47 AM on March 4, 2009
Running helps me, a lot. Both in lifting my mood in the short term and in having a goal for the long term.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:51 AM on March 4, 2009
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:51 AM on March 4, 2009
Crafts and exercise.
That said, those only work for me in the hours I'm not at work. Nothing makes 8-5 any more exciting, other than looking forward to lunch so I can craft then too.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:07 PM on March 4, 2009
That said, those only work for me in the hours I'm not at work. Nothing makes 8-5 any more exciting, other than looking forward to lunch so I can craft then too.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:07 PM on March 4, 2009
I used to have long hair and a mustache, and I recently got rid of both. It wasn't an impulsive thing, but it was motivated by a desire for some sort of "freshness" in my life. And it worked very well. I enjoy having a new face to look at in the mirror, I enjoy how my short hair feels when I wash it, and I like seeing people's reactions to my new look. If you've been considering it, a bold shake-up of your current image could be just what you need. I assume you don't have a mustache to shave, but if you've ever thought about cutting your long hair short, or coloring your hair, or just otherwise doing something bold with it, now might be a good opportunity.
What's particularly valuable about embracing a new look is that it's truly something that will inject freshness into all realms of your life, because all sorts of different people, co-workers, friends, family, will always be noticing it, and you'll always be aware that people are noticing it. So life will feel different, even if just in a superficial way.
In a similar vein, re-arranging the furniture in your home (or office, if allowed) can do wonders. Something as simple as changing the direction in which you sleep, or watch TV, or what you see when you walk in the front door, can be incredibly refreshing. It really is all about the little things...
posted by filibuster at 4:03 PM on March 4, 2009
What's particularly valuable about embracing a new look is that it's truly something that will inject freshness into all realms of your life, because all sorts of different people, co-workers, friends, family, will always be noticing it, and you'll always be aware that people are noticing it. So life will feel different, even if just in a superficial way.
In a similar vein, re-arranging the furniture in your home (or office, if allowed) can do wonders. Something as simple as changing the direction in which you sleep, or watch TV, or what you see when you walk in the front door, can be incredibly refreshing. It really is all about the little things...
posted by filibuster at 4:03 PM on March 4, 2009
Yoga!...at lunchtime! This really helps me to break the monotony of sitting behind a computer all day. I feel physically and mentally refreshed when I can break my day with a few downward dogs.
posted by sconbie at 9:10 PM on March 4, 2009
posted by sconbie at 9:10 PM on March 4, 2009
Meditate? A simple clear-the-mind sitting meditation, sometimes followed by a focused meditation on the future, a desire, etc. often helps me when I'm in your kind of situation. (I don't mean a religious/spiritual meditation, although I guess that might help if you believe in that sort of thing).
posted by Jebdm at 7:22 AM on March 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Jebdm at 7:22 AM on March 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by dydecker at 4:30 PM on March 3, 2009