Ask Aunt B

I do the same thing day in and day out. Help, I’m bored to pieces. What’s the best way to find joy in my daily routine when life feels monotonous?

Dear Feeling Stuck,

Life can get monotonous, even when things are technically going well. If you’ve ever thought, “Is this all there is?”, you’re in good company. But the good news? You can find joy in your daily routine, without needing some huge life change.

The trick isn’t waiting for excitement to come knocking on your door; it’s learning how to sprinkle joy into the little moments of your everyday life. Before we get into changing routines, let’s talk about mindset. Often, we don’t need new things to find joy, we just need to see the old things differently.

Instead of waking up thinking, “Ugh, another day”, shift your thought to “What small thing can I look forward to today?” It could be your morning coffee, your favorite podcast, or even that quiet moment before the rest of the world wakes up.

Routine isn’t the enemy; boredom is. The best way to shake things up is to add small but intentional changes to your daily life. Take a new route to work. Even if it adds five extra minutes, seeing something different can wake up your brain. Change up your morning or evening routine. Listen to music instead of the news, stretch instead of scrolling your phone, or swap out your usual breakfast for something fun.

Inject something new into your week. Plan a midweek dinner out instead of saving fun for the weekend. Try a new hobby, or pick up an old one you abandoned. Even small changes can shift your energy.

Make simple moments more magical. Light a candle while cooking, just because. Put on music that makes you feel alive, even if you’re just folding laundry. Slow down and enjoy simple things, like feeling the warmth of the sun on your face or taking the first sip of your favorite drink. When you intentionally bring beauty into the mundane, life stops feeling so dull.

One of the biggest reasons life feels monotonous is that we stop having things to anticipate. No, you don’t need to plan a trip to Europe (unless you want to!). Instead, create small moments of excitement: Plan a “treat yourself” day once a month. Set up coffee dates with friends regularly. Make a list of things you want to try and schedule them (rock climbing, pottery, learning a new language, whatever makes you curious!). Start a new tradition, like “Fancy Friday,” where you dress up for no reason at all.

I know, I talk a lot about gratitude. But that’s because it works. Your brain is wired to focus on what’s wrong, so you have to train it to notice what’s right.

Try keeping a simple gratitude list. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be life-changing. A good cup of coffee. A funny text from a friend. A sunset that made me pause. The more you focus on what’s good, the more joy you’ll naturally start to feel.

Changing how you move can change how you feel. Go for a morning or evening walk, bonus points if you leave your phone behind so you can just be in the moment. Dance in your kitchen (trust me, it works wonders). Try something new, like yoga or a fun workout class.

Energy flows where you move it. If you’re feeling stagnant, moving your body can help shift your entire mood.

Nothing makes life feel duller than isolation. If your days feel repetitive, check in with how much real connection you’re having. Call a friend just to chat, not just to text. Make a point to ask someone how they’re really doing, and listen. Plan a low-key hangout, like a walk or coffee date. Human connection is one of the biggest sources of joy, but we often push it aside when life gets busy. Prioritize it.

Somewhere along the way, we start believing that adulthood equals being serious all the time. Who made that rule? Color in a coloring book. Jump in a puddle if it’s raining. Try an activity you haven’t done since you were a kid, like flying a kite or swinging a bat at the park.

You don’t have to wait for something big to change. Start small. Find little moments of joy, change up your routine, and give yourself permission to actually enjoy life instead of just getting through it.

Joy is something you cultivate, day by day.

Love,

Aunt B

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