The profound power of boredom

Do you allow yourself to experience boredom?

Or are you part of the:

• 74 percent of Americans who feel uneasy leaving their phones at home 
• 71 percent who check their phones within the first 10 minutes of waking up or 
• 47 percent who consider themselves “addicted” to their phones (source)

Do you rush for your phone to fill the empty spaces with superficial distractions (like the infinite social scroll) until the discomfort of being bored has passed?

New research suggests boredom can be a catalyst for creativity, well-being, and profound transformation—if we let ourselves be bored now and then.

Double points if boredom leads us to choose activities that challenge us in IRL.

Things like:

-Cycling long distances

-Learning to bake bread

-Exploring new exercise routines

-Planting a garden

-Painting a room that new color you love 

-Dancing

-Hosting a dinner party

-Playing dress up with all those clothes in your closet

-Going for a walk 

The Power of Boredom

When I was a kid, I got bored. I would announce rather loudly to my parents that I was bored, secretly hoping they’d save me from the ennui.

Upon hearing my rather loud announcement, they first acknowledged my feelings without criticism (thanks, mom and dad!) and then, offered suggestions of things I could do that did not include watching television. (I grew up before the Internet so the only screen we had was a TV and I liked watching TV -- not gonna lie.)

Often I would reject their ideas rather loudly, even if they were good ideas because well, I was a kid and deep down I think I wanted to figure things out on my own.

Which, given a little time, I eventually did.

In fact, I got really good at coming up with my own ideas which had an amazing effect. I exercised my creativity without knowing that’s what I was doing, training my brain to solve my boredom problem with satisfying and rewarding activities. 

I put the power of boredom to work.

Writing, reading, listening to music, inventing games, playing kickball in the court behind my house, and simply daydreaming were some of the many things I did. They were fun. They were satisfying. They alleviated my boredom and set my future as a creative professional in motion.

I didn’t know then what I was doing would serve me well throughout my personal and professional life all these years later.

In hindsight, I’m glad I got bored growing up because being bored led me to learning new skills and discovering things about myself. And most importantly—it reinforced my curiosity and made me use my mind creatively.

Turns Out, Being Bored Is Good for You

Boredom is often perceived negatively when in fact, it can be the portal to breakthroughs. Turns out, being bored is good for you.

Next time you’re feeling bored, instead of reaching for your phone for an empty distraction, why not opt for an analog experience and see what happens? 

Put the profound power of boredom to work for you instead of numbing it away.

Challenge yourself to be creative in a way that involves making something. 

Or simply go for a walk. 

Without your phone, of course.