Does anyone else feel so....stifled?

Question:I dont know how to explain how I feel. I am 22, almost 23, just got married (love of my life :)) no kids, no job (my hubby has his own biz) so I go to school part time, and generally have a happy life. I havent figured out what I want to 'do with my life, and this has been a big stress for me. Everything interests me, but cant stand a 9-5 job, and really, with the biz, I dont NEED one. My problem is that I feel so artistically stifled! I have this huge desire to go on adventures, like backpacking through Europe and working to pay my way...meeting new people, learning about life and culture first hand (I have no interest in learning this in school) I just want new exciting experiences. This to me is really living life. I also have a huge passion for music and singing, but since High School, and Some college, I just dont have an outlet. I have sung at church twice, and I play guitar for myself. Anyway, I just feel like I sit home all day, work on the computer, chill with my husband,

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I dont know how to explain how I feel. I am 22, almost 23, just got married (love of my life :)) no kids, no job (my hubby has his own biz) so I go to school part time, and generally have a happy life. I havent figured out what I want to 'do with my life, and this has been a big stress for me. Everything interests me, but cant stand a 9-5 job, and really, with the biz, I dont NEED one. My problem is that I feel so artistically stifled! I have this huge desire to go on adventures, like backpacking through Europe and working to pay my way...meeting new people, learning about life and culture first hand (I have no interest in learning this in school) I just want new exciting experiences. This to me is really living life. I also have a huge passion for music and singing, but since High School, and Some college, I just dont have an outlet. I have sung at church twice, and I play guitar for myself. Anyway, I just feel like I sit home all day, work on the computer, chill with my husband,

Get off your butt and do it.

You are going to blink a couple of times and look in the mirror and you will be 60 like me and too tired to follow your dreams.

Trust me you have no idea how short the time that we have here is.

Better to try and be wrong than to not try and regret it after it is too late.

Love and blessings Don

Put your motives into action. If you husband's job can afford it, the both of you should go backpacking the world. Otherwise get a part time jpb and save up. Just set a date that he can take time off.

Also, if you share you artistic talents with others you will find all sorts of ways to expand as you will most likely find some very diverse people.

take me with yoooou
:(

Being at home a lot can be tough on some people, especially young ones. If you can afford it & really want to go you should talk to you're hubby about it & see how he feels. Maybe start with some little adventures & go from there. Some of the things you mention could cause some real problems with your relationship with your husband if work would keep him from coming along. It might be a good idea to try some smaller things 1st & see if that does it for you before backpacking across Europe for a year. :)

These are things that should be discussed by couples before the wedding...does your husband know you feel this way? If so, does he have the desire to accompany you? If not, and you take off, you'd probably be saying goodbye to your marriage.

How about just taking some mini-trips to other towns / cities / states by yourself a couple of times a month. If your husband can go too, all the better. You haven't been married that long...I wouldn't recommend backpacking across Europe at this time...the timing's definitely off. Good luck whatever you decide, as it is absolutely up to you.

Not sure what you mean by "artistically stifled". You don't sound like an artist. I would know what to say to an artist. You just sound bored and I can't work up any sympathy for a person who has no interest in what's right in front of them.

I definitely do. The bustle of life and the constant barrage of information blinds us to the more simple pleasures of life that people once enjoyed. Kids aren't learning art and music in school as much as they used to. The world is all about science and math and shallow entertainment. People aren't challenged, people don't question, people don't touch their inner, deeper selves. We are a product of what we have created. You should seek to make those opportunities for yourself, to travel and explore the world. We cannot let the rat race drown out the beauty around us. Do whatever you have to do to keep your soul alive...

Not crazy at all. I married at 21, had a baby at 22 and felt just the way you do. That was 40 years ago, and my solution won't work for you. All I can say is that I recognise how you feel.

Try keeping a journal: write down every day how you feel, what you think, what you want, helps get your thoughts clear and in order

Yes I do at the moment as I am going through a change and don't have a balance between my fears regrets and expectations or a clear way through.

I think the stifled feeling comes as a defence rather than an actuality, like finding something to blame. "If only --"

If you know what you want in spirit you can recreate it for yourself - wherever you are - It is possible to feel free in prison. Sound like you want some satisfying direction . I do too. My art work is going well but I need more edge and at the same time am unwilling to look for it.

Try pushing yourself - work-up to a major for you performance of art or music. Take the first step in a direction and put in a little comittment the rest will probably follow. My partner had this wanderlust idea of freedom for years and it turned out not to be the most moving experience but performing musically was.
I hope you and I both find something energizing to commit to soon.

Cabin fever?

Since the business is alright, find something you really want to do and do it. It also helps to volunteer for some things, and join a club or two. If you want to go on a trip, I think that's great. Take your husband with you and find some place you both would love to see. Make sure you fill your day, and live outside the house a little, or you will feel stifled.

I know what it's like to be stifled. Find things to keep you busy. One of the enemies of survival is boredom.