The Often-Missed Value of Boredom!
The words people use to describe what they think about boredom are most often hate and loathe. Our feelings related to boredom almost indicate that we’re born with a sixth sense telling us to avoid boredom at all costs. We’re not born to think that way (it’s learned behavior), and we should actually be embracing boredom and all that it can offer us. Please allow me a few minutes to explain some simple thought processes regarding boredom and its benefits to every person’s life.
Leo Tolstoy, who wrote War and Peace, provided us the quote ‘Boredom: The Desire for Desires.’ which just thinking about its meaning can cure boredom for several hours. While researching boredom, one of my notes said, ‘Boredom is the uncomfortable feeling of an unmet desire to be engaged in something meaningful.’ On a Ted Talk, one speaker offered 3 rules regarding boredom. First, boredom cannot be trusted. Second, We need to protect our attention. Third, we all need to talk about boredom with others and share our strategies that work with each other. Personally, I disagree with the first two and heartily support the third.
Another Ted Talker suggested boredom could be classified as a ‘mood state’ and encouraged movement away from boring spaces into interesting spaces. They also claimed that boredom is complex and requires our attention to understand it’s use and abuse. Abuse? Yes, they noted that boredom can lead to all kinds of addictions. Problematic behavior can be directly linked to boredom. Think of our kids (and maybe ourselves) that are addicted to gaming, social media, and staring at some form of a screen. Bummer! But I believe that positive character development can also be directly linked to boredom. It all comes down to how we are taught to manage boredom.
Recent studies have concluded several positive aspects of boredom. Here’s six that’ll set your mind to pondering. 1) Creativity Boost - when you're bored, your mind starts to wander, which can lead to creative thinking and problem-solving. It gives your brain the space to explore new ideas and possibilities. 2) Self Reflection - boredom provides an opportunity for introspection. It allows you to think about your life, your goals, and your values, which can lead to personal growth and self-improvement. 3) Motivations for Change - feeling bored can be a catalyst for change. It can push you to seek new experiences, learn new skills, or pursue different interests that you might not have considered otherwise. 4) Improved Mental Health - taking a break from constant stimulation can be beneficial for your mental health. It allows your mind to rest and recharge, reducing stress and anxiety. 5) Increased Productivity – after a period of boredom, you might find yourself more focused and productive. It can help you prioritize tasks and approach them with renewed energy. 6) Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills - boredom can encourage you to find creative solutions to problems, as it forces you to think outside the box and come up with new approaches. So, while boredom might feel uncomfortable at times, it can really be a valuable experience that leads to positive outcomes. But try telling that to your kids. That’s why we’re called to develop boredom strategies that work for ourselves and others, noting that every person’s likes and dislikes are specifically unique to them.
At this point you may be considering the value of boredom as you never have before and yet, you’re likely to allow your mind to go back into its comfort zone of resisting any change of heart for something you’ve learned to hate and loathe…namely boredom. Why? Because that’s how we were trained growing up. Think back to when you told your parents you were bored. Your parents would typically suggest several different things to deal with boredom. But without real consideration, those suggestions were immediately dismissed. You had thought of those things already and you were still bored. You didn’t want to pursue anything that was right in front of you. You wanted to conquer the uncomfortable feeling of an unmet desire to be engaged in something that was meaningful but never developed a plan nor strategy to make that happen…until today…right now.
You own the ability to make your mind think the way you want it to think. Think of boredom as a gift, an opportunity to pursue the creative, open-minded, artistic, learning, problem solving, musical, critical thinking, and solution driven part of the brain that each of us possess. Think of something (anything) that you’ve always wanted to try or learn more about. A hobby, pastime, something that involves the outdoors, nature, sport, or activity. Teach yourself to embrace the boredom experience and make something happen because of it. Then share your strategies and experiences with others. You can open up a whole new world of passionate pursuit in an area you had only dreamt of before. The bottom line is: YOU have a choice! So, what’ll it be? Continue to hate and loathe boredom or embrace it for all the new experiences and positive impact it will have in your life. I’m hoping you choose to embrace boredom! Why? Because Hey…I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!