I’ve just entered my 30s and found that most things I wanted to achieve in my life. I already did in my 20s. I’m not sure what’s next and what else I want to do.
Whenever I get recommendations on places to go or things to try or things to see all I can say is that I’ve already done it and I’m having trouble finding new ideas and inspirations for things. So most days I find myself in loops of doing the same things over and over. Going to the same places. Eating at the same restaurants. Watching the same movies.
What I would really like is to explore new things and I’m having a hard time finding out how.
Any help or insight would be much appreciated, thank you!
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Set a higher goal. Never get complacent
Travel to other countries? There’s a whole world out there and it’s never been easier to see it! Or have children….nothing absorbs your time or money like kids! lol
Have kids. Congratulations you now have unlimited challenging problems to solve.
Find a hobby, start a craft, set new goals and work towards them.
For most people with realistic goals and dreams, they will likely achieve them at some point. The trick is to constantly set new goals within reason and work towards them as well.
I’m currently learning chess.
Helping those who haven’t
On the one hand, it’s good to be content with what you have.
On the other hand, boredom is the result of a lack of imagination.
Watercolor painting is a skill cultivated over a lifetime.
Japan has world-class skiing.
Ever hiked Machu Pichu?
Do you speak any foreign languages? Join a club to get better.
Do you own a house yet? With some decent carpentry skills you could make some attractive improvements.
The list is endless.
Help others
Have you trully understand why do you really want to explore new things? Whats holding you back?
Try small. Today go to a new restaurant and order something new.
Build on that next day.
One step at a time.
Well, there’s a whole planet out there, so there has to be experiences that you haven’t had. I just finished a road trip across 2 time zones through my own country after spending years spending my cash on other countries. It was amazing. Left me with a real sense of optimism in my country that it’s never going to be “the cherished 51st state”.
So there’s plenty still left to do. When I got bored with partying, travelling and indulging, I got married and we had a kid. Try that if you haven’t done so… ought to keep you busy for at least 19 years until they leave for school and it’s completely different than living just for yourself.
Volunteer. Meet new people and help them where they need it.
You’re thinking about this the wrong way – motivation isn’t just going to strike you suddenly. For many things, ACTION precedes motivation. You need to try things, figure out what you like and then you’ll be motivated. Nobody can tell you how to be motivated, how exactly you will find new goals. This is the human experience – enjoy it while it lasts!
I haven’t achieved everything. Have you been to the Isle of Man? Do you ride a bicycle? Do you ride motorcycles?
If you’re witted enough to have achieved all your life goals at 30, I’m surprised you’d think that “new places to go” or “new things to see” might even be in the category of “life goals”. I’ve spent 5 min looking at your comments history, and you seem to be someone very focused, logical, educated and straight to the point.
With the little I know from your post and some comments of yours, I’d say that your mind is focused on measurable objects / checklists types. “Where I eat”, “What place I visit”. And it’s great that you have achieved those measurable / listable things already in life. However, my belief is that the salt of life resides not is what you do but in what you feel as part of humanity. How many people you’ve helped have a better life, how happy your adult kids are, how much joy your network of friends bring and you bring them, how close to being one single thing with your life partner you are, and ultimately, how happy you are everyday in harmony with your fundamental values and psyche.
If I were you, I’d start by reading a few more philosophers.
Be ok with being bored first. Then in that silence things will come to you. Sounds like you’re trying to get past that first stage.
Set bigger goals
So here’s how I handle planning next steps once I’ve achieved goals.
Imagine you have access to a genie who you can wish to be the perfect version of yourself with the perfect life, and poof he grants it and you are now that person you envision.
What attributes does that person have, and what do they do with their day? I write down those attributes and activities. Then I break down how I would obtain those attributes or what I would have to do to be able to do those activities.
If my perfect version has ripped abs, I break that down into planning a gym regimen and diet. If he’s rich I break down steps to move forward in my career, investment plans, or potential side hustles to increase cash flow.
If perfect me is an amazing martial artist or musician, i take lessons to get good at those things.
And if perfect is exactly how you are right now doing exactly what you’re doing right now congratulations you’ve reached nirvana just keep on being content and enjoying doing what you’re doing. And if you’re not enjoying it either aim higher or get therapy.
Write a book, draw a comic/manga one-shot, start a successful web series on youtube about your experiences.
If you reply of “I’ve done that” link me your ISBN or publish credits.
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Do you enjoy competing? Loads of opportunities these days to train and compete in any number of athletic events. I found that to be pretty satisfying
I saw you asked this in another thread. You’ll get similar responses here. If you’ve tapped out your career achievements, look elsewhere for meaning or purpose. Try a martial art, volunteer your time, remain curious and you’ll discover new things in time. Enjoy the process and don’t seek out some tangible accomplishment that you can cross of your list. Good luck!
Take up cycling, and then watch your world vaporise into an endless list of “things to do”.
The disciplines are many, and the mastery both technical and physical. You could easily spend the rest of your life chasing meaningful goals and experience.
I do worry you sound a bit like someone who has “done it all”. And you aren’t really realising why you’re doing it. Life isn’t a checkbox. There is limitless goals and achievements, you have to find something your passionate about and resonates with you.
Explore your inner self. Develop a meditation practice. Attend a silent retreat. Single day. Week long. Month. Give up your possessions and the trappings you identify yourself with in terms of accomplishment and learn to just be.
Run a marathon.
Compete in a Triathlon.
Hike the AT, PCT, Continental Divide.
Try the FPV hobby.
Set newer goals.
Check out the article the 4 stages of life by Mark Mason.
You seem to be transition from stage 2 to stage 3
Thats where novelty is no more exciting as It was
Now building things is more fulllfilling
Build a business
Build your body
Build a family
Thats stage 3 of life
Volunteer. It’s rewarding and costs you nothing.
Bro is weaponized incompetence and helplessness lol
Coast
I find that repeating a previously achieved challenge can be very satisfying.
As an example, there are two mountain roads nearby that I enjoy riding on my bicycle—20 miles and >5,000 feet of elevation gain. I’ve ridden them both many times and it never gets old, although I’ve gotten old. The view is usually beautiful and the descent is like owning a motorcycle again.