Avoiding Boredom and Finding Fulfillment in Doha

I've lived in Doha for over five years. A common set of complaints that I've encountered during my time here centers around there not being much to do in Qatar, and that life here can often feel oddly empty. I'm definitely not going to spend this post telling you that Doha has as much going on as many other capital cities. But what I would like to do is to try to get you thinking differently about how you view your spare time, and perhaps help you find uses for it that leave you enriched in different ways.

You can easily lead a busy and fulfilled life in Doha, whether working full-time or otherwise. Life is very much what you make of it. If you expect activity or opportunity to fall into your lap, you'll probably be disappointed. But if you create opportunities and nurture hobbies, you'll have a better time In Doha and grow along the way. Here are a few things I do to keep busy, develop myself and not feel bitter.

Learn a language.

Doha is a uniquely multicultural city. Use your time living here to try and pick up a language or improve your skills in one you have been working on. You can teach yourself by using apps like Duolingo, entry-level language textbooks bought off Amazon or via classes, e.g. those delivered by Berlitz, Fanar (if you want to study Arabic), or some of the various language and cultural outreach bodies that operate in Doha, e.g. the Institut Français. You can  also team up with a language exchange partner to develop your skills. For example, as I am currently learning Korean, I meet each week with a Korean speaker who wants to improve her English, whilst I, on the other hand, have the opportunity to practice my Korean. We drink coffee, converse and reap mutual benefits.

Exercise!

I really tire when I hear people complaining that they've put on weight in Doha. There are many ways to keep fit here, throughout the year. Develop a fitness routine for yourself and commit to it. If you struggle to stick to a routine, consider having a friend as an accountability partner; motivate each other to work out and keep each other in check.  Anything that gets you moving is beneficial, whether it's thirty minutes of walking in a park, a swim, yoga or a fitness class. Research. Don't wait for someone to tell you what works but educate and empower yourself about exercise and the lifestyle changes that you can make to stay fit.

Initiate activities if you can't find something that suits you.

When I first moved to Doha, I tried to get out of my comfort zone by joining Meetup. At first, I wan't overly enthused by what was on offer, so I decided to initiate activities along the lines of what I wanted to do: Saturday lunch meetups! So if you can't find what you're after, think about initiating the activity and sharing it across social networks. Chances are other people will be keen as well.

Help others
Look around you. Within a few minutes, I'm sure you will come across people who aren't as fortunate as you are or who haven't benefited from the life opportunities you have.  Find formal and informal ways to make a difference. Whether you are volunteering your time, complimenting someone for their hard work or showing someone the respect they might otherwise be denied, you will imbue happiness in yourself and the people you encounter.

Nurture a hobby.
Hobbies are beautiful things. They provide you with project to embark upon, goals to attain and achievements to feel proud of. They can be as complex or as simple as you like. Find one that you enjoy. Begin, explore and develop your interest area. Connect with like-minded people and share your loves with others.

Read, study and seek intellectual stimulation.
Read fiction or nonfiction, whatever takes your fancy. Listen to podcasts. Attend classes that help you build on an interest or hobby. Attend free lectures in Education City or sign up for a class. Engage with people who can help you build knowledge or gain understanding in an area that you want to learn more about. 

Self-improve.

This year, I have really been trying to live my best life, that is to say, pushing myself further than I have before. Assess yourself. What are your development areas? I like to cook but I could improve. So. over the past few months, I've been trying to teach myself and push myself a little further in this area. Build on your talents to become the best version of yourself.

Wake up early, enjoy the sunrise and put down the TV remote control.

It is so easy, especially if one isn't employed, to spend whole days wasting away in front of the TV. Just stop. Wake up early. Fill your agenda with activities and don't let the day slip you by. 

Don't let other people's negativity get you down.

Life isn't perfect. But seek happiness where you can. This can be hard, especially when certain environments, e.g. work, do not facilitate happiness. But try to see beyond that. Cultivate hobbies and relationships that make you happy. At the end of each day consider asking yourself what the best parts of the day have been. Pay attention to your answers and return to those people or activities that nurture your happiness.