Updated: June 22, 2017
Originally Published: June 25, 2015
My 5-year-old recently discovered the phrase “I’m bored,” and I must admit, it sent a wave of panic through me. I thought I had a few more years before he reached that milestone. After all, he still enjoys the simple pleasure of sorting pennies. Yet, here we are: “Mom, I’m bored.” Initially, I tried to solve this dilemma by suggesting his toys, books, or playing with his sibling. Or, like my mother did, I resorted to threatening him with chores.
However, a few months back, I embarked on a challenge where I went an entire weekend without any screens. It was more challenging than I expected. By the end of those three days, I rediscovered a feeling I hadn’t encountered in years: boredom. Since acquiring my first smartphone, I had filled every spare moment with quick peeks at my device—whether reading headlines, texting, or checking the time. Coincidentally, I had also been lamenting my dwindling creativity, often blaming it on my children and lack of free time.
Then I stumbled upon the “Bored and Brilliant” initiative on WNYC, which encouraged listeners to unplug from their phones for a week. The show’s host, Claire Morgan, pointed out that boredom often serves as a catalyst for creativity. By allowing ourselves to sit with the uncomfortable feelings of wanting stimulation and resisting the urge to immediately fulfill those desires, we open the door to creative thinking.
Boredom isn’t simply the absence of activities; it reflects a clash between our longing for stimulation and our current lack of engagement. According to psychologist John Eastwood, boredom stems from an “unengaged mind.” Dr. Teresa Belton, a researcher at the University of East Anglia, found that this gap—the space between wanting stimulation and not receiving it—is where creativity thrives. Many individuals in creative fields reported that boredom nudged them toward new endeavors. In essence, if we never allow ourselves to feel bored, we rob ourselves of the mental space necessary for creativity.
In American culture, we often view boredom negatively, equating it with laziness or a lack of intelligence. We prioritize busyness and productivity, treating boredom as a problem that needs fixing. So when my son drifts around the kitchen saying, “I’m bored,” my instinct is to jump into action—what can I suggest for him to do?
However, following my “Bored and Brilliant” experience, I had a revelation about boredom. Now, whenever he utters those words, I calmly respond, “It’s perfectly fine to be bored.” At first, he vehemently disagreed, conditioned by societal norms that insist we must always be entertained. “It’s not okay to be bored!” he protested. “Oh, but it is,” I insist, continuing with my activities and allowing him to sit with his boredom.
Just the other day, he surprised me by constructing a “printer/shredder” from yoga blocks and paper towel tubes. In his invention, items get printed before being shot down a tube to be destroyed. (Perhaps he’s also picking up lessons on storytelling.) When he grew tired of that, he relaxed on the couch, gazing out the window. I refrained from suggesting he draw or read. Instead, I put my phone away and joined him in this moment of stillness. Because indeed, it’s okay to be bored.
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In summary, embracing boredom can foster creativity and personal growth. Rather than viewing it as a problem, we can recognize it as a necessary part of life that allows us to explore new ideas and perspectives.