Lost

I have been doing research for the last month (for my thesis). By that I mean reading papers and trying to figure out the solution - no success yet, but well perhaps a few promising avenues. I have already worked on the research during the semester, but never "full-time".
I do something more practical than I did for my Bachelor's thesis (i.e. I can see where it leads and how it would be "beneficial" if I found something), still, the overall "research experience" is very much the same.
The good thing: satiating my curiosity and satisfaction from solving problems (at least from trying to do so).
The bad thing (the very very very bad thing): The research is literally sapping my energy...Sounds strange, huh? Here is what I mean: after spending a day researching, I just feel *miserable*, as if all the pleasant thoughts wandered away from me (perhaps they were too bored by doing the research)...To compare: after one day attending of attending lectures, I feel something between *normal* and *wonderful* (depends on how interesting the lectures were). After helping organizing a festival a week ago (with plenty of people around), I felt *wonderful*.
By the way, I find it gradually more and more difficult to concentrate for a long period of time (breaks included). Eight or ten hours are often doable, but then I have to switch to something else (currently preparing for GRE and TOEFL tests, reading a Dutch book or, sometimes, going out with someone).
To conclude, it seems beneficial to start exploring other avenues of the life (and also, develop oneself in new directions; in the past four years, I 've become incredibly clever. Now it seems reasonable to become also incredibly ~something else~). I will probably take my research next year "not that seriously" compared to what I have thought - i.e.

What I miss the most are the people. Don't think that I stayed all the month doing nothing else than research - I was occassionally going out with people. It was sometimes refreshing (sometimes not...), but the refreshing feeling passed away rather quickly. I guess I must seek need meaning and "challenge" (uitdaging, as Dutch people would put it).
I've started applying to some volunteering and "commissie"-work, so far, I have been rejected on three places. (I don't consider applying for a job a feasible option anymore, my Dutch is simply still not good enough to find something that would be stimulating for me).

Well, one must fight back! After returning back to the Netherlands after "holidays", I will apply to more places.