8 Places to Look for Variety in the Monotony of Life

There is more to experience, see, hear, taste, touch, smell, feel, and learn than can be done in one lifetime.

Yet, even with all that, there are times when it doesn’t feel like enough.

When you’re feeling bored, what do you do?

If you’re wondering where to look for variety in the monotony of life, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 8 places to look that can help bring you back to a happier, healthier state of mind.

1. The Foods You Eat

This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment upfront. You can start with either one meal or one day per week. You can eat something you’ve never had or haven’t had for a while.

You could go with Meatless Mondays if you’re wondering where to start. Plants have plenty of protein, including beans, lentils, quinoa, nuts, peas, fruits, vegetables, and much more.

I’ve tested this out for myself. When I tracked my protein, fat, and carbohydrates on www.MyFitnessPal.com (free to use), I saw that I already had enough protein for the day before I factored in any animal-based protein. This happened consistently. It showed me proof that plants are enough and helped me switch to being vegan.

“Setting aside the health benefits, how often do you get that kind of incredible win-win where you can really transform the planet? And it’s possible. You (have to) check the facts for yourselves. You’re not (going to) believe it hearing it from me. But I (want to) challenge everybody here. If you’re an environmentalist, … my challenge is: You can’t be an environmentalist; you can’t be an ocean steward without truly walking the walk. And you can’t walk the walk in the world of the future – the world ahead of us, the world of our children – not eating a plant-based diet. That’s my challenge. You can check the facts for yourselves.” – James Cameron

2. What You Drink

Chances are you need to drink more water. It’s a common thing for people to be chronically dehydrated. I understand. Water can be boring.

So, what else can you have besides water?

“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” – I Timothy 5:23

Notice that the words are “a little wine.” It’s not an excuse to get drunk.

But what if you’d rather not have alcohol or de-alcoholized wine?

For this one, I keep thinking about coconut water. I prefer to have it from a can. I wouldn’t mind if coconut water were as readily available as water. It’s that good and that enjoyable.

There are many plant-based milks, too. These include almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, rice milk, hazelnut milk, oat milk, and hemp milk.

Set out on a voyage of discovery and taste a wide variety of healthy drinks. You deserve it.

3. The Company You Keep

If you keep spending time with the same people, you might keep having the same life.

The other side is that you can adjust your interactions with the people already in your life. Maybe you’ve kept them at a distance with safe and inauthentic interactions. Perhaps you’ve avoided them and pushed them away. If you let them in, you might find out that they’ve been waiting for the opportunity to support you in whatever dreams and goals you have. Unless you give them a chance, you might never know.

And you could meet new people. You can contribute to their lives, and they can contribute to yours. New activities, new growth. An infusion of other opinions, expanding your network, and creating new connections.

“You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

While that quote can be depressing, there is another way to view it. That quote issues a challenge to make sure that the five main people in your life are adding value and not draining the energy out of you.

You could identify if anyone is holding you back and spend time with someone who empowers you instead. One person with a positive impact could be all you need to kickstart your life.

Choose wisely. Choose well. If you do this part right, the rest of your life can fall into place much better than it would otherwise. As long as the five people you spend the most time with are a force for good for you, that helps make a richer life possible.

4. The Time You Sleep

I wish that sleep wasn’t necessary. Not having to sleep would free up much time daily.

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” – Scottish Proverb

I’ve read about sleeping hacks where you could get the amount of sleep each day down to 1 or 2 hours and still feel rested.

At least three times, I’ve slept for 30 minutes or less. The first of those times is still my best sleep ever. Granted, it took 6 hours of focused, intense prayer before I got to the point where I could sleep, so I wasn’t saving any time in that case.

I’ve experimented with different amounts of time for sleeping and with the times that I sleep. My mental state has a lot to do with the results I’ve gotten. If I’m at peace, then a restful sleep is possible. If I’m not at peace, it doesn’t matter when I sleep or how long. I still wake up tired, as if I hadn’t slept.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has slept from 12:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m., and it’s worked for him. Tony Robbins sleeps for 3 – 5 hours each night. Adam Armstrong recommends falling asleep between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., and waking up before 6:00 a.m. for increased energy.

You can experiment to see what works best for you. You might be a morning person or a night owl. If you need help with having a more restful sleep, you could listen to relaxing audios such as the Zen12 Meditation Program or make your own with the Subliminal360 Program.

I listen to 432 Hz music to help me sleep.

Whatever amount of time you sleep and whatever times you sleep, as long as you’re relaxed, that can be the most important thing.

5. What You Watch

The example that readily comes to mind here is languages. Do you watch things in one language only?

If so, I see how that could become boring after a while. For various other perspectives, I recommend watching content in many different languages that span several continents. There aren’t always English subtitles available, and that’s okay. If the content is visual enough, you’ll still be able to understand what’s going on.

I’ve enjoyed watching content in many, many languages. Much rich, multi-dimensional storytelling is available from all over the world, and not all of it is in English.

Besides other languages, you can watch different genres you wouldn’t normally or haven’t seen.

You can watch some great educational content to expand your knowledge and increase your skills.

You’ll increase your intelligence, expand your awareness, and become more well-rounded as you dive into other languages, genres, and topics.

6. The Music You Hear

If listening to songs about breakups is your thing, you can listen to something positive instead.

Why something positive?

The music you hear affects your mood. Very efficiently. Sometimes scarily so.

If you’d rather be happy than sad, listen to music that will lift you up. Lift your spirits. Lift them high. So you can fly. Give it a try. Listen to something happy and watch your mood rise.

My favorite type of music is classical music, which also happens to include most soundtracks for TV shows and movies. I also like it when there is a combination of genres, such as with the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” and with an orchestra playing video game music.

I’ve also had great fun listening to remixes. It’s amazing how much familiar music is available as a remix. A great thing about remixes is that you listen to something new and familiar. It can be the best of both worlds when done well.

7. The Work You Do

Judging by various percentages I’ve seen, almost everyone hates their jobs or are at least unhappy and unfulfilled with the work they’re paid to do.

If you are one of those discontented wage slaves, I can relate. That’s where I’ve been for so much of my working life. I’m not the type that enjoys working for someone else. I haven’t found sufficient space available there for creativity, expression, and promotion. Also, there tends to be a severe restriction or complete absence of multiple freedoms.

Want to go on vacation? You need to get permission first, and you need permission for the exact days that you want to have off.

Want to work from anywhere in the world? Most jobs aren’t set up for that. It tends to be that you must be in an exact physical location and at exact set times.

Want a pay raise? You need to negotiate for that. Employees’ wages are often a company’s largest expense, and companies want to keep their expenses down.

Even given the various disadvantages of being an employee, it’s worth noting that not everyone is cut out to be their own boss. Many people do prefer to be employees. They prefer the security – whether it’s real or not. They prefer predictability and learn to live within their set restrictions.

If you can be doing work that fulfills you, that helps light up your life like nothing else. And it can give you the fuel to take care of all other areas of your life.

Often, your life mission is primarily contained in the work you do. In those cases, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of ensuring you’re doing work you love.

Listen to yourself carefully here. What do you enjoy the most? What do you do well? What do people compliment you on?

Unless you’re being hard on yourself, you’ll be able to list quite a few things. And that list will form the starting point of the rest of your life. Seriously look it over and have some fun with it. Your list can give you some ideas for what else you can do.

You don’t have to quit your job and get doing the work you were born to do full-time. At least not right away. You can build it up on the side first. And then, when it’s far enough, you can quit your job if you want to.

8. Where You Travel

I’m 34, and I’ve been to 3 countries so far. I was born in Canada and didn’t travel to the United States until I was 21. I turned 22 during that trip.

I’m in Portugal right now. This is my first time being outside of North America, and it’s my first time in Europe. I’m going to turn 35 during this trip.

I have much catching up to do when it comes to traveling. I hunger for travel. I know that it will open up my entire point of view, how I relate to myself, how I relate to others, and so much more.

The problems that some of us face, we all face. We all need to eat, sleep, drink, breathe, stay warm, make a living, and get along with each other. We all need to survive and even thrive. We’re stuck on this planet together and blessed to be here.

It doesn’t matter what language you speak, your skin color, or your economic status. You’re one of us. You’re here. You’re human. You belong.

One race. Human race.

One blood. Red blood.

I invite you to experience the expansiveness of being human. See what your global neighbors are up to. Learn their cultures, customs, and stories. What’s life like through their eyes? What are their hopes and dreams?

It could be that you’ve got more similarities than differences. You could be more alike than you thought.

Stripped away from the propaganda and the agendas of hatred and division, our domestic and international neighbors can be seen in a clearer light. I see a world without war. I see a world with real and lasting peace.

You are a vital part of that world. Even if you listen to nothing else that I say, then listen to this:

You are here for a great mission. You may not know what that is yet, but keep searching. When you are ready for your mission, you will know what it is. The purpose of all life is to love and be loved. Your mission is however you specifically give and receive love. Express your love daily, and you will help bring about the peace our world desperately needs. Thank you for your contribution. You are dearly loved and appreciated.

And whatever you do, travel.

Spread love wherever you can.

Conclusion

Naturally, applying changes to your life in the previous sections will lead to you learning a lot and changing how you think.

“Variety is the spice of life.” – Proverb

In other words, new and exciting experiences make life more enjoyable.

There have been expeditions to travel to other continents to get spices. Seemingly, food was quite boring in Europe without them. This eventually led to our much more interconnected world of today.

Boredom can be a great catalyst if you let it. If you don’t stay stuck in boredom and use it as a launching pad, your life can get a lot more interesting.

Foods, drinks, relationships, sleep, videos, music, work, and travel all combine to help bring you out of monotony and into variety. You are now armed with 8 places to look for variety in the monotony of life.

It’s up to you to apply whatever changes you can.

Which one will you start with?

Thank you for reading. Here is what else you can do:

• Add any questions or comments you have in the comments section below;
• Subscribe so you can be notified by e-mail when I add another post on this website; and
• Share this post, including on social media.

Until next time,

James Barnett