You should also look around for local concerts. Even small towns generally have a handful of local bands. While they might not always be of the highest caliber, they might be interesting in their own way. Try an online radio program. Relinquishing control over your queue means that you might happen across some songs you otherwise wouldn’t listen to. Alternatively, ask friends if they have heard any good new music.
Try to learn an instrument or sing. Once you have some experience, find other musicians/singers to put together a band. When you start playing shows, you’ll have an opportunity to meet a lot of new people. If you were in band, choir, or orchestra in high school or college, you can still be part of the same groups in the community. Many small towns have community bands, orchestras, or choirs that you can take part of. You can always learn a new instrument or sing, and join these groups as well.
Many small towns will also have a community of people interested in visual arts, like painting and drawing. You can try to display your work at cafes or take courses at the local community college.
To engage with the book more thoroughly, consider writing as you read. Underline important passages, write in the margins.
Instead of allowing your mind to drift off into fantasy, try to practice “mindfulness. " Mindfulness means focusing intensely on the world around you. Be conscious of your breathing. Listen for sounds, pay attention to smells. Try to notice things you otherwise wouldn’t. Mindfulness has been shown to improve your mood and your cognitive abilities. [5] X Trustworthy Source Greater Good Magazine Journal published by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living Go to source
Given the choice between eating candy and shocking themselves, bored people have been shown to prefer electrocution. Regardless of whether the sensation is good or bad, something novel is the best cure for boredom. It can be hard to come up with a new pastime. That is why the first step is often surrounding yourself with people who are interesting and have diverse tastes. They can help expose you to new things you wouldn’t pursue otherwise. Try a new type of food that might seem exotic or scary. Go skiing or skydiving. Watch a movie from a genre you would generally avoid. Go to a concert. Often there are plenty of opportunities to experiment with new things, but our fears prevent us from pursuing them.
Meditation means focusing on only one thing for an extended period of time. Take a mantra (a phrase) or an image and focus on it. Clear you mind of everything else. When something else enters you mind, gently brush it aside.
If you don’t have the resources to jump on a plane, go somewhere nearby. You can drive, take a bus, or ride on a train for a reasonable price. Pick a nearby city, a small town you have never been too, or a scenic, outdoor location. Housing on a vacation might seem expensive, but that is not necessarily the case. Most cities have hostels and, if you are willing to share a room with others, you will probably only need to pay $20-$35 a night. [10] X Research source . There are also now websites that allow you to rent space in a local’s home, typically for less money than you would spend on a hotel. You can also get involved with a local club. Often, clubs and sports organizations will travel. Typically, this sort of group travel is reasonably priced. A busy vacation, with a lot of sights and destinations, is a good way to alleviate boredom, however, it can also be a bit overwhelming. One good way to enjoy a busy vacation is to plan it with a purpose. Come up with a goal that makes all of your experiences connected, like checking out all the local blues bars or seeing all the paintings of a particular artist. You can even try to write a story based on your traveling experience. [11] X Research source
Because life in a small town is generally cheap, small towns often allow you enjoy a high standard of living. Global studies have found that the happiest towns in the world are often unexciting. Usually, small towns also allow for a simple life. [13] X Research source It is often easy to get along with people, when you don’t have much other choice. If you live in an agrarian community, consider the opportunities that presents you. You can start a garden or have space for a dog. A quiet community has fewer things to distract you from your goals.
You never know what you’ll see walking through the woods. Practice mindfulness; pay attention to all the new sights. Imagine what you might find around the corner. Feel your body getting stronger and healthier. Nothing cures boredom faster than a little bit of danger. You can’t be too bored when you’re sliding down a mountain on a couple of thin pieces of wood. You’ll be too busy for ennui when struggling to balance on a couple of ice skates.
Meeting interesting people will make the bleakest landscape brighter. Especially in tight-knit small towns, it’s important to cultivate close relationships. In big cities, friends become replaceable, so you should take advantage of the tight bonds that often develop when there aren’t many opportunities for friendship. Participation in your community can stoke your curiosity about activities, possibilities, and people. Try to Engage within your community through various activities this could lead to more opportunities to learn, grow, and practice new skills. [15] X Expert Source Leslie Bosch, PhDDevelopmental Psychologist Expert Interview. 12 July 2022.
Sometimes small towns even allow you access to things you wouldn’t find elsewhere. Yard sales, for example, can be a great place to find antiques. [17] X Research source When you do want to find more people like you, go to the web. Find web sites with people with similar interests. You might be the only person in town interested in astrophysics, but there are plenty of people around the world who are.
Print out some flyers advertising the event. Post them at your school, at the venue, and any at other locations that are frequented by a lot of people at the community. Social media sites also allow you to create targeted advertisements that will only go out to people in your community. You can even target specific age groups. [18] X Research source If you’re interested in visual arts, you can also assemble some other artists and ask a local establishment for the space to show your work. Try to make an even like this the foundation for an ongoing network. Find people who would be interested in meeting up on a regular basis. Form a club based around your interests. When you try holding a similar event in the future, you’ll be prepared for something bigger.
College is often a great opportunity to settle in a new town. Consider what colleges are around destinations you are interested in. Research what grades and test scores you will need to be accepted. Generally, more desirable destinations are expensive. To afford life in a big, interesting city, you might need a better job and more qualifications. Research what the major industries in your town of choice are and what qualifications are necessary to get a job in those industries.
Keep your grades up. This will be important for ultimately establishing yourself elsewhere. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Being involved in sports and clubs will not only keep you occupied, it will help you get into college. Develop your skills. If you dream of living in Paris, France, study French. If you dream of being the next Bollywood star, you will need to learn dramatic skills, singing, dancing, and so on.
