Bring Boredom Back!
I’m not great at being bored.
I’m either in motion doing something productive… or doing something that just keeps me busy.
But choosing boredom is hard for me.
And yet, I remember being a kid and saying those three words that used to drive adults crazy: “I’m so bored.”
Back then, I didn’t feel the pressure to do something. I didn’t feel the need to scroll, produce, optimize, or consume. Staring at the ceiling, playing with dust particles in the sun, or daydreaming about nothing was enough.
Somewhere along the way, I lost that.
I traded boredom for busyness. Stillness for stimulation.
And I think I’ve lost something sacred in the process.
The Gift of Boredom
Here’s the paradox: boredom feels like nothing… but it gives birth to everything.
Creativity is born in boredom.
Self-awareness rises in stillness.
Clarity, healing, insight, all of it bubbles up when we stop trying to fill every gap with noise.
The brain needs pauses. You can’t hear your intuition when it’s drowned out by podcasts, playlists, or productivity hacks. And you can’t grow deeper if you’re always reaching outward.
That’s why I want to bring boredom back. Not by accident, but on purpose.
Because I know I need it in this season.
What Happens When You Stop Filling Every Moment?
Try this: Sit in silence for 5 minutes. No phone. No music. No multitasking.
You’ll notice your brain fidgeting at first. Reaching for something. That’s the withdrawal from overstimulation.
But give it a little time.
Soon, thoughts settle. Breathing slows. And the things that really matter start to rise to the surface.
Simple Ways to Practice Embracing Boredom
If this feels uncomfortable for you (like it does for me), here are some simple starting points:
1. Schedule Nothing
Block 15 minutes in your day for “boredom.” Don’t fill it. Let it stay empty. Watch what happens.
2. Walk Without a Destination
Leave the AirPods at home. Don’t track steps. Just walk and notice your surroundings.
3. Stare at the Ceiling
Seriously. Try laying down for 10 minutes and doing absolutely nothing. Let your thoughts wander. It’s not wasted time, it’s decompression.
4. Turn Off the “Noise Apps”
Pick an hour each day where you don’t touch social media, streaming, or YouTube. Let your mind find its own entertainment.
5. Ask a Bigger Question
When you’re bored, ask yourself:
What have I been avoiding thinking about?
Let boredom become a space of reflection.
Final Thought
The modern world trains us to believe that every second must be filled. But real growth isn’t always fast-paced or loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet. Slow. Boring.
And maybe that’s the challenge for this season:
To be okay with the quiet.
To welcome the boredom.
To let the stillness do its work.
Because if we keep running from boredom, we might miss the breakthrough hiding inside of it. 💯