One of the problems with feeling restless in your life is that it can be tempting to do things that are ultimately destructive, even when you don’t intend for them to be. It might seem like a great idea in the moment to quit that job or end that relationship, but too often, these moves inject some chaos into your life without getting to the bottom of the real problem. If you’re feeling as though something is missing, try adding something positive first.
1. Take Up a Hobby
There is something about the word hobby that can sound trivial, and that in turn can make you dismiss it as a potential solution to feeling dissatisfied in your life. But a hobby can mean taking up a sport in a fairly serious way, practicing an art or craft, even if it’s not your full-time profession, or learning everything you can about a particular field, whether that’s cinema, astronomy, or wilderness medicine. If you happen on something that you truly love, it can end up becoming a big part of your identity and how you spend your time. Better still, if you and your partner can find a common hobby.
2. Get Into Investing
You might think of investing as something that’s for those who are really into watching the stock market all the time or who have finance degrees, but smart investing is important for everyone. If you do it right, it can be truly life-changing, providing you with financial independence. One of the best types of investment is real estate. As a landlord, you can get a reliable passive income from tenants. However, there is also the BRRRR strategy if you’re a more seasoned investor.
This is an advanced variation on house flipping, where you still purchase and rehab the property, but instead of selling it on, you rent it out. You then get a cash-out refinance on the equity that allows you to purchase another rental home. You can read more about the BRRRR method to help you decide if it’s right for you. Real estate and other types of investing can help you build a base of stable wealth that you can continue to grow in the years ahead, freeing you up to do many other things that you might enjoy.
3. Take a Trip
Travel is a great way to shake you out of preconceived notions and give you a new perspective on life. You can hit the road for months, visiting other countries, or you can take off for just a weekend. The former might not sound practical, but give it some thought before you dismiss it. Your work might let you take a sabbatical or unpaid leave of absence, or you could be allowed to work remotely for a while. However, even if you can only get away for a much shorter time, try to make the most of it. Get out of your comfort zone. Go alone to a place you’ve never been before. When you do come back home, remember what it felt like to look at your surroundings with fresh eyes, and try to see the world that way.
4. Go to School
Whether you take a single class in a subject that interests you or you embark on a degree program, going to school can be a great way to learn more about the world and break out of a rut you’re in. It can mean setting out on the road to a new career, or it can just mean finally starting to brush up on that Spanish that you studied years ago or getting some formal instruction in the art hobby that you’ve always enjoyed. You can take classes online or offline. The former is often more convenient and gives you access to more options, but the latter can get you out of the house and away from the computer and give you more regular interaction with other people.
5. Give It Thought
If none of the above suggestions appeal or you try one or two of them but you still feel stuck, try putting some serious thought into it. This might include spending some time talking to friends or family members or to a professional counselor or spiritual advisor. A life or career coach is another option. Some find that writing in a journal or engaging in a repetitive physical activity, such as walking, can help with inspiration and motivation.
