Monotony

[Trapezoid]

I figure what with all the posts about newbie turmoil, cancer, and car crashes, I may as well divulge my problems.
I've been getting sort of depressed. My life is not very tragic at all, but it's the boredom that gets me. I'm homeschooled, and don't have much of a social life outside of my family and neighbors. This summer in particular has been getting me down. Every day my basic options are to be on the computer, watch TV, or just sit around outside. Sometimes it's just so boring that I lose all my energy, and get depressed for a few hours. Right now is one of those times.
All I ever do is wait, but I don't know what I'm waiting for, which is not a good feeling at all. If all you ever do is kill time, then you're probably going get morbid. (That might make a good signature quote, folks.)
I can't think of anything to do. I'd like to meet people, but I don't exactly see kids roaming around in the street. Am I supposed to break into peoples houses and force them to make my acquaintance? Face it, the only true social hotspot for teenagers is the frickin' public school system. Maybe I could hang out near the high school every day and phone in bomb threats. I guess you'd call that "anti-social socializing".
Kids don't have much interest in knowing anybody who doesn't know their friends. I don't really know anybody, so I'm out of luck. I do have a good friend who's in the school system and knows a lot of people, but he's just not reliable and has never really been much help. Plus, he's in Georgia right now.
So there you are. My social life is close to nil, what can I do about it?
If you say "go back to school" I will kill you.

[Robert Eric]

If you have your license, you can go anywhere and meet anyone.  Even if it's a one-night relationship, it can still relieve the boredom.  I used to meet people at work.  All sorts of strange people used to float by with something to say.

[MrColossal]

why not look for people that are into what you like?

i'm about to look for some peeps who are into comics and drawing them and maybe even making games in my area. The best thing to do I guess is to look for meetings or something, my brother goes to this meeting hall where people show and talk about movies they've made in upstate new york

he's met a lot of people and is shooting a movie with them now

just a suggestion, and the benefits are that it's less like a date, if there's some people there you don't like you can just move away from them and onto someone else

[Trapezoid]

I don't have my license, and if I did I wouldn't know where to go.
And I have no idea how to "look for people that are into what I like". I can't find ANYBODY, let alone people with specific interests.

[Robert Eric]

Use the local newspaper.  How old are you, and how old do you have to be to get a license where you live?  If you can get a license, but if you have a reason why you haven't yet, no need to explain or reply to what I just said.

[Trapezoid]

I am 16, old enough to get my license. I just haven't taken much initiative yet. And I still don't know where I'd drive to.

[Barcik]

Erm... how are you with small talk? Always helps in meeting new people.

[Trapezoid]

I'm not really sure. Don't get to do it much. Besides, people are usually in groups. They have other people to talk to.

[Evil]

I know how you feel. The only person I "hang out" with is a bud that doesnt know me very well. And all we ever do is work. Well my suguestion is to take a bike day. Take a backpack and ride around to some places. FInd teen hangouts. Some I know around here are the local teen club, skatepark, ballfields, ect. Or you could meet a friend online who lives around you. Join clubs, they dont have to be sports. I am in roleplay (D&D) and was in a computer class. Getting a job where other people your age work. Just start talking to people. Only way they will talk back...

[MrColossal]

put your animutations together and put them on public access... that should get you some local friends

[Trapezoid]

I've already done that a couple times. I'm sure people saw them, but nobody contacted me or anything.

[Raggit]

Trapezoid,

You have no idea how well I can identify with what you're talking about!!!!

Man, it's like we are clones or something.  As you know, I homeschool too, so we're in the same boat.

I have the same problems, being bored and losing energy becuase of it, not much of a social life and stuff.  Everything you said makes perfect sense.   What to do about it??? I'm looking for the answer myself!

I wish I could help out around the house with stuff but it's like I don't know what to do! I feel guilty for not being very helpful.  It's like I'm just kinda taking up space.

Well, all I can really say is I'll be your friend if you'll be mine.

[Ben]

I know how you feel, too. I don't really socialize much around this time either. I go to a public school, so obviously I know people my age, but I'm kind an introvert. Most people like me (as far as I know  ) but they really can't identify with me because I'm such a quiet person. So during the summer I pretty much just stay home. And hang out with my parents.. Yeah, that's right. I don't have my license, either. And I live in the middle of nowhere. And the only person my age who lives nearby is a creepy Emo kid who I really don't like because he keeps singing even though he has a really shitty voice. Phew.. It was good to let all that out. Now back to you: My advice is to harness that boredom into doing something useful. Work on a game. Write songs. Pass your driving test. Breed albino bunnies. I always feel better when I feel like I'm actually doing something. And when you feel better, try what Eric said. Find somebody with the same interests as you. I guess you already did that when you came here.. but.. try again.

[Las Naranjas]

Get a job. Bury your mind in activity and earn money whilst at it.

[Trapezoid]

Yeah, I've been thinking about getting a job. The question is... whaaat?

[Synthetique]

You should really work at a café. There you will meet lots o people.

[Timosity]

I think alot of people have similar problems, it's just a matter of getting off your arse and doing something about it, which is probably the hardest step.

Do you live in the middle of nowhere or something?

do you have a dog or anything, walking a dog down a street is a good way to get peoples attention, especially girls.

I don't talk to people much unless I know them or are around other people that know them, I live in a large city so there are always people around, but I rarely just go up to a stranger and introduce myself, sometimes I wish I could.

It's all about confidence and motivation, and probably location, it's easier where there's literally millions of people around, some of them are bound to be friendly.

but as you don't want it to be said, school is the best place to meet friends (or Uni, colledge etc) that will probably be your friends for life, it's that simple. I hated school but loved the social life there. It also helps you to be more confident socialising with people. My closest friends which is about 5, were all people I met through School or Uni, since that time I haven't really made any long term friends, just lots of aquaintences.

Is there any reason you can't attend a school? Distance, expelled, parents don't agree with it, you just can't stand it.

what is homeschool exactly, is it like when Bart stayed home Marge taught him, or does someone come to teach you, or do you just get sent assignments to do?

Do you get a chance to go to colledge after you finish?

back to the present, are there any youth clubs or anything around, do you like playing any sport eg. basketball is fun and anyone can play.

I know you love music, do you play any gigs with Lemon Demon, even just practising, (how many in the band) are there any live bands that play locally, even if they are shit, there's still people around that you will have things in common with.

don't worry too much, your a multitalented person, I'm sure there are plenty of people that would want to be your friend, I guess it's just whether you want to be their friend.

As far as jobs go, anything that is available that you don't think, "I hate doing that" which for me is almost every job I can think of, I'm lucky with the job that I found, and I'm probably one of the only people in Australia that does it.

Record LP's, Tapes etc to computer remove the noise and burn onto cd
also Video to DVD, occasionally people bring in porn too.

Good luck

[Pessi]

Great tips, Timosity!

I just wanted to reinforce the fact that it's really important to not get depressed. As Timosity said, get off your ass and do something.

I actually am a bit ill because of depression and stress. It was because of the goddamn army. It got really boring for me in the last few months, seeing the same faces all the time, doing the same things each day. It sucked.

If anyone here has been in army, they should know that it's also extremely stressing in other ways as well. Sometimes you get really pissed off, but you can't do anything about it because it would result in military offence.

These two together, boredom and stress caused me to get a bit ill. It's nothing big, but I really would like to get rid of it. Basically, it's the symptoms of flu, plus dizziness, memory blocks and even kind of twitching of muscles.

Luckily, I've got lots of friends and I even got out of the army about a week ago, so I've started to get better all the time. The symptoms are almost all gone, though it might take a little while for them to disappear for good. Anyway, I've learned that the best way to relieve stress and boredom is to hang out with friends and also do stuff you like. Like, drawing or playing an instrument. Even AGS forums seem to work great for that. One of the best sensations I have got so far have been because of helping someone out. It's weird, but I'm glad it's that way. I probably should hang out more in the Critic's Lounge.

Anyway, good luck with finding friends and activity, Trapezoid. Just remember to not get bored and wait for it to go away. It won't, in most cases, unless you do something about it.

[Ghormak]

You could have become a sivari like me, Pessi You could enjoy things like sitting in front of a computer, doing data entry when it's 32C hot in here and 28 outside god i hate this make it stop

Anyway.

All I ever do is wait, but I don't know what I'm waiting for

I can relate to that. I was feeling like that last fall/winter. Now I'm looking forward to going to university in a month. Try finding something to look forward to. It really helps.

[Robert Eric]

Yes, walking a dog is helpful.  If you let him shit on someone's yard, and don't clean it up, then you'll REALLY attract attention to yourself.  If all else fails, you could always move to America.

* Robert Eric waves his arms frantically while mouthing the word "No" over and over