I’ve never understood people who complain of boredom: kids who can’t figure out how to fill a long summer day; retirees who complain that they miss their jobs; husbands who turn to the television because there is nothing else to do.
I’m an idea person. There are so many ideas I want to execute and so many items on my bucket list, I could keep going forever. I want to have glass mirror put into that antique dresser I’ve been refurbishing for the past decade. I want to paint the shelves in our storage nook. I want to can a huge batch of homemade antipasta. I want to reorganize the attic. I’ve been meaning to send care packages to a few different friends. It’s time to write another letter to my mother-in-law in France. I want to create a vision board (I’ve been snipping magazine clippings for months now). And, I have a stack of unread books patiently waiting for me to spend a leisurely afternoon reading and napping in bed. What about scouting out a new antique store or kayaking on a Sunday afternoon?
Don’t get me wrong; I’ve known boredom before. In fact, I recently rediscovered it. It’s spelled: C-A-R-D-I-O. At my trainer’s suggestion, I’ve recently stepped up my cardio routine to a minimum of thirty minutes, four times per week.
In the past, I’ve participated in group cardio classes. The choreography and the other people help to distract me. Though my mind wanders and I do get bored, the peer pressure stops me from quitting. By the time I’ve finished the 3-minute warm-up, I’m already counting the number of songs left until we reach the cool down. But, because I feel accountable to the other people suffering through the class, I usually manage to stick it out.
Running on a treadmill, cycling on a stationary bicycle, or climbing on a stepper sends me to Boredsville in about ten minutes. By minute twelve, I’m completely over it. I’m thinking of all of the other things (see above) I could be doing. I’m wishing I had someone to talk to. Forget grooving to Stairway to Heaven on an iPod, I’m too busy cursing the Stepper to Nowhere.
The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer said: “Life swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom.” Clearly, this man knew what it was to spend twenty minutes on an elliptical machine! (I’d even bet he had a trainer who made him do squats on the elliptical machine too….)
Does it surprise you that I’ve never had the patience for meditation? I’m trying to be Zen about this cardio regimen, convincing myself that it is just another form of meditation, a perfect opportunity to learn how to master mind, body and soul. Embrace the cardio. Be one with the machine. Quiet the mind. Feed the soul.
Usually my exercise mantras sound like this: “Only 15 more minutes. Only 14 more minutes and 59 seconds. Only 14 more minutes and 58 seconds…” or “Oh, I’m so bored; ugh, this is so painful.” But, in my quest for spiritual development, I’m seeking new mantras and trying to develop the ultimate play list for my iPod. I’m also searching for podcasts that are so interesting or entertaining, I’ll stay engaged until my cardio is done.
Angus Grossart said: “I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom”. With my new cardio routine, the exhaustion part is a given. Now, if I can just keep that boredom at bay….
I’d love to hear how you conquer cardio boredom. Any suggestions?
August 23rd, 2010
[...] How Do I Spell Boredom? – Fitness Together Wilmington I want to have glass mirror put into that antique dresser I've been refurbishing for the past decade. I want to paint the shelves in our storage nook. I want to can a huge batch of homemade antipasta. I want to reorganize the attic. [...]
September 18th, 2010
I’ve loved reading your posts to the blog!! I’m guessing you may be the type to plan, you said you used to be a recruiter in NYC and you are not the type to know boredom as there are so many things you want to do! I can relate, both having been in HR/recruiting specifically (which, is busy to say the least and requires an organized person in my mind) and having a list of what I want to do. Tonight on my list I’m tackling the top of my closet that I’ve been avoiding. How that became my exciting Saturday night plan — I’ll never know. I can only yield that it’s a part of growing up?!
You could use that time to plan, if singing to music doesn’t help. Plan what is a good day to do XYZ on your list, who you want to contact to get that done, to come with you, etc?? If you want to Kayak on a Sunday afternoon as you noted… you could make that a goal, find/make time to do that. Maybe you’ll want to think of all the things you want to accomplish this week, then the Sunday Kayaking trip as your reward. I’d just bring in a small notebook with you. When you get done, you may want to write a list of things down.
Maybe google ways people pass time on long car commutes?? Audio books snaps to mind, but personally, I couldn’t think of much worse… aside from trying the treadmill sideways, which frankly scares me at the present moment.
Keep up the blogging and all your effort — it’s all very exciting!
Gretchen
Wilmington, NC
January 5th, 2011
While we’re on the subject of How Do I Spell Boredom? – Fitness Together Wilmington, Improving fitness helps a person think well when under pressure or acute stress.