mmm - I hear you, and echo your questions.   Things change so much but we are still inside waiting to be thrilled again.  Its just that our cynicism and grown-up worries and awareness of the world around us seems to be like a wet blanket. 

I think your idea of trying new things in small doses, and just pouring yourself into it, will help a lot.  It may take time but who knows.

I read that Cat Stevens had not played his guitar in 15 years until (maybe 2 years ago) his son asked him about his guitar.  He hadn't for 15 years felt any joy or any yearning  for it, but that instant when his son asked him about it, he realized it was time to pick it up again.  And it was good.  :)

Peace, patience...

A quote:   Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.
Dale Carnegie

 I have many things that thrill me but are on the back burner for now, because of situation and finances.  I really couldn't relax fishing with young kids around, for obvious reasons. Horses and horseback riding, now there is a passion that never left. It is pre empted for obvious reasons right now though. 

There are many BANDS that I used to love to listen to and professed to be favorites. Now I can take them or leave them.

I pursue something to the point of personal  saturation level and then leave it behind.  After that, I can take it or leave it.  I used to be enamored with exotic birds (parrots etc). While I still like them, I don't yearn for a Blue Fronted Amazon anymore.

But as for thrill factor, it would definitely be fly fishing (when they're biting! ) and horseback riding.

Hi Serena,

At the risk of incurring your wrath again, I'm going to say something which, sadly, I think you'll label patronising.

When Mike says, "leave your comfort zone", he is giving you excellent advice. I wrote a discussion thread which said the same thing. Now what Mike and I have in common is we are both "old buggers'", and through long experience we've come to see how the world operates.

In "old" cultures people respect advice by their elders, but this is often lacking in modern cultures.

To leave your comfort zone, doesn't necessarily mean leaving your country. It means to think of something you've been frightened to do but at the same time thought was where your heart  and inclinations lay - and didn't cause harm to others. (In the words of someone older than me, Queen Victoria, "didn't frighten the horses.")

M'dear, you have a good brain, use it to your advantage. 

what is really sad is that when we get older we stop taking risks the real block in our pursuit to lead fun lives

The only way to find out where your comfort zone ends is to start stretching it. Do something you haven't tried before. Try some new hobbies or activities. I went ziplining in Jamaica a couple of years ago and believe me, my comfort zone was stretched. It was awesome and I learned a lot about myself while playing. I also learned something about Jamaica. It was all good.

Maybe it would help to talk to a counsellor or trusted friend to explore this stuff.

Good luck

www.youtube.com/watch

Ziplining is basically attaching yourself to a long line strung between to poles and then riding down it. Here is a You Tube clip at the spot we went to. Funny, I do not remember crossing the river. I DO remember that long line. You go up to 50 mph down it.

It is an amazing day that is a must do in Jamaica and other places.

but they are scars of passion .............  we all know those are worth it ......

I've always told my kids, "Figure out what your passionate about and then figure out how to get paid for it."

Are you PASSIONATE about any of the above choices? Is there an extension within the music industry that you've always wished you could do but seemed out of reach?  Own  your own music store? Work for the local musicians union? Manage and be an agent to book gigs for other bands?

Or have you ever wanted to teach overseas? or be part of a self improvement motivational teaching team?

Just brainstorming with you!

Waterfall

We have a Community College.  People can go there and take aptitude/skills/IQ tests and have a counsellor review the results with them to help plan a new job.  Maybe you have something like that in your area that you could access.

What if it ends up being a bad idea in the end?

Good grief every hear of taking a chance ? don't be like most people who are cowards ...

Huge risks that involve money you most def wanna get professional advice but ziplining hmmm all you need is guts

Ewww, toxic friends. Stay away!

I think most of us have had fallow periods where we don't really know where we are going. I have, and I'm still "young"...well, younger than you Serena. Maybe these times are important for refocusing. I think you are in a smallish community, correct? So your options may be a bit more limited.

As for unique, doesn't have to be something no one has ever done before. Just something that you end up enjoying. For now, it sounds like you are just trying things, which is good.

Maybe nothing is really clicking right now because you have been through a lot of stress recently too? So you might have to keep at something for a bit longer to figure out if you like it. Or just do something that isn't your passion for awhile, but keeps you engaged with other people. Maybe someone you meet at one of these new activities will have a suggestion for doing something, or will inspire you to discover what your new passion is.

I just zinged through the responses on this thread, and Waterfall's got missed - up higher that the last post - the one about being burned out and taking time to be lost.  Maybe the challenge is in healing, waiting, sitting, pausing - feels awful at first because of a sense that one must get out and run again.  But maybe it is time for quiet and solitude and not boredom but peace.

Nothing more is needed.  Just wait.  Just be open and quiet.  At some point, something will change, and step by step you will rediscover something.  After this year of struggle, I'm sensing you could use permission to check out for awhile, to hang back, sit quietly and just get off the merry-go-round for awhile. 

"No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should"  (Desiderata) 

As I recall, you taught in a private school.  Do you have a teaching certificate (not always required at private schools)?  Perhaps stretching those skills might be exciting for you...cms

Ok Serena,

What about curling? That will happen in your community.

How about booking a career counselling or exploration with a counsellor at the nearby commujnity college?

Take up cross country skiing-if and when the snow arrives.

Try a water fitness class at your local pool.

All of these are just activities-but try something new (to echo the get out of your comfort zone theme) and your passion will appear in time.

Fresh air is the best natural antidepressant. it works.

Ah sl Judds

K country does have snow as does Lake Lousie and even Grande Prairie

Problem is Serena lives about 5 hours from these places.

But never fear we did get a skiff of snow yesterday and more can't be far away!