Extreme Boredom & Isolation [#1957]

March 4, 2019

Question:

I know a person who has been doing nothing with his life for the last 9 years. All he does is loaf around in the house, doing absolutely nothing. What can I do to help him??

Answer:

This is more than a “problem” – it is a “parshah” [a complicated issue], and the regular advice for solving boredom and emptiness cannot help in this case, because it is a more extreme kind of situation. You should still try to find him an activity of interest to him which he can busy himself with. But, if that doesn’t work, you should realize that not every problem has a solution.

Unfortunately, these extreme issues are quite common nowadays - they are not some 10 or 20 isolated incidents. Rachmana Litzlan (may G-d have mercy), these occurrences are increasing as the years continue….there are many sensitive situations, and we cannot know in any situation exactly what to do. We can daven to HaKadosh Baruch Hu….life is complex, and surely there are very complicated situation where we cannot always find the solution to every aspect of an issue. When that happens, we need to be able to cope and deal with these situations - and it is not always easy.