Get Bored: It Can Make Your Life Exciting
Boredom isn’t a punishment, but an opportunity
Mooooommy, I’m bored!
“I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.”
Ah, if I had a nickel for every time that little gem escaped my lips growing up.
I remember when I wanted to be on … to be busy … to be doing something – anything – all the time.
I thought boredom was bad for me.
But that was decades ago. Now, canceled plans and naps are my delicious, sweet treats, and I crave them.
And as it turns out, boredom may just have joined the good-for-you club.
Being bored can revitalize you!
Boredom is the idea that we aren’t engaged in anything or that we have no interest in what’s going on.
I used to think it was self-punishment.
But now? Well, now things look a little different.
Here are some great things boredom can bring:
Time to reflect. When you come to the end of the day’s excitement and stimulation, that’s when the inner journey can really get going. A bored and tired mind can be easily switched to a reflective one that can assess where we are and where we want to go.
A chance to create. Bored? Good. Pick up a problem or issue you’ve been putting off and turn it over in your mind. Find a creative solution. Stretch yourself into new areas without distraction.
Reduced stress. You don’t need to be on all the time. “Off” has a lot of benefits. Embrace boredom. Stare at the wall. Breathe. Nap. Do something that asks nothing of you, and enjoy it.
A cue for change. If you feel bored all the time, and it doesn’t feel positive, then use that as fuel to light a fire in your life. Find a new hobby. Make a new commitment. See an old friend. In other words, switch it up!
When you feel “blah” creeping up, turn it into an opportunity if you can.
How to make boredom part of a busy life
Here’s the MtE tip: Allow boredom to make your growth journey more exciting
Don’t wait around for boredom to find you. Seek it out! I know it sounds counterproductive, but try it, and see where it takes you. Here are some things to try:
Unplug. There it is. Plain and simple. Put your phone on silent, set it across the room, and take a seat on the couch. Then sit. Quietly. Let your mind wander where it will. You may be surprised what comes up for you … and what drops away. In fact, set a 5-10 minute reminder in your phone that says, “Boredom time!” and stick to that.
Focus on the task at hand. Cook without the TV on. Take a walk without earbuds. Let a mindful mindset take over, and when your mind strays away from the task seeking stimulation, redirect it to what you’re doing. One thing. One moment. Whatever it is, boring or not.
Don’t focus on the task at hand. Flip the previous exercise. Cook or walk, but this time, let your brain take you on a journey. Let it float free. What can you discover in that space where you’re simply, mindlessly … doing?
Write freely. Get a journal and pen. Keep it close. After a boredom session, write down what came out of it. Look for patterns in those quiet, lazyish times and see if you aren’t just getting some messages that you can put to use in the rest of your life.
Don’t distract, embrace
When I was young, I dreaded boredom. But as the years have passed, I’ve come to appreciate the stops, the nothings, and the gaps.
These are the places in a day – and a life – where rest can happen, daydreaming can occur, and rejuvenation can take place.
Boredom isn’t something to avoid, but something to embrace, because it’s a gift of time and an opportunity to explore the inner world.
Next time you want to scream, “I’m bored,” make it a statement of joy and triumph, because it’s not a punishment.
It’s an opportunity.
To explore ways to make boredom work in your life, schedule a free 15-minute call to see if coaching might be right for you. For even more, follow me on Instagram or TikTok.
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(NOTE: Mastering the Everyday is not medical or mental health advice or diagnosis, and is solely for informational/entertainment purposes. If you need physical or psychiatric care, please reach out to a trained and licensed medical professional.)