Do you ever find yourself in a position of boredom? You can almost hear the heavy sighs. You start to toss and turn, wondering what you can do to break out of it.
Boredom can occur when you have nothing left to do. But surprisingly, it can also happen when your list of things that need to get done is a mile long. The problem with that is, we are bored with the routine. We just need or want something ‘new’ to focus on.
Actually, a state of boredom is a good thing. According to the latest research, being bored can be rather freeing for your mind and thought process. It may act as a mental broom and dust pan by clearing out the clutter and cobwebs.
‘Bored’, by definition, is ‘a cause of ennui’ (a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest). It is once we are at this point of boredom that our minds are freed to tap into our innermost creative self.
What NOT to do in a State of Boredom
When we become bored, we feel as if we are being unproductive. So we find something – anything – to do. Many of us grab our phones or iPads and begin to swipe. By doing this, we are putting our brains in ‘information overload’. This just creates even more boredom.
Others begin to make mental lists of all the things we should be doing. And at times, we force ourselves to tackle an unpleasant task, just to try and relieve the boredom.
What you SHOULD Do
Believe it or not, allowing yourself a space of time to be bored may be a good thing. If you aren’t good at sitting still and letting your mind just wander, try something monotonous.
- Count the number of books you have in your home library
- Count the number of ceiling tiles
- Find out how many paces are there from the refrigerator to the couch
- Buy an extra-large bag of M&M’s or Skittles, and separate out the colors
- Get a big jar, dump every dried bean you have in it and shake it up. Now, go back and separate them
All of these things may sound boring to you, but they are designed to do just that. Rather than be creative, you will be allowing your mind to clear. While working on these tasks, your mind is less likely to focus on problems, issues or the next deadline.
In the process, your mind is working to free itself to become even more creative. Imagine that – from beans to brilliance. What a concept!
Easing Out of Boredom
Now that the beans are counted and you ate all the M&M’s, your mind should be clearer to think, create and do. Here are some ideas you can do to take advantage of that creative state:
Redesign Your Lifestyle
Often, our jobs and lifestyles are not the root cause of boredom. We just need a different approach. But other times, boredom may signal a deep-seated feeling of discontentment. We are tired of doing the same thing, day in and day out. We want a fresh approach to life.
If this is the case, then take some time each day to just sit and think. Clear your mind for the first ten or fifteen minutes, and then ask yourself a question or two: Who are you? Who were you meant to be?
To help you shift from one lifestyle to another, it may be helpful to work through a Lifestyle Plan. Each step takes careful consideration. As you think the process through, you will soon discover that what you are doing is a good thing, and a positive approach to a more fulfilling life.
Take an Afternoon Tea Break
Find a quiet spot either in your yard or a favorite corner of a room. Bring a cup of tea or your favorite beverage. Treat yourself to a sweet treat. And then just sit and ‘be’. Allow yourself to breathe deeply and do nothing. Read a book of poetry. Or bring a paper and pen with you and just doodle.
By doing this, those feelings of anxiety that are caused by the feeling of boredom being a bad thing will ease up. When that happens, you may find yourself just enjoying life, rather than worrying.
Create
Grab a pair of knitting needles or a crochet hook. Take a hammer to some old ceramic plates or glassware and separate the pieces out for a new mosaic project. Or, get in the kitchen and try out that new recipe.
Another option is to learn something new. If you love fiber, research and begin to learn how to weave. Looms now come in all shapes and sizes. From 2” pin looms to 12-shaft floor looms, you can easily find a weaving loom to suit your learning needs.
If hand crafting isn’t your thing, indulge in whatever creative effort you love. Write. Bake. Garden. It doesn’t matter the medium, it just matters that your brain is satisfied with the creative effort.
Boredom really isn’t the end of the world – but some days it can certainly seem like it. Are you bored? Then grab your beans and M&M’s, and start separating and counting.
You will send those blues running for the hills before you know it!
I’ve battled boredom since this all began in March. The Internet has kept my mind busy, but not very productive. – Margy
Hi, Margy! I understand your position. None of our jobs have made us wealthy in terms of money, but we still consider ourselves blessed with full lives! If I get bored,
I keep a list of things I want to do handy, or take a walk to free up my mind and expend energy. Thanks for the visit!
These are great things to think about! It’s so easy to grab the phone and scroll if we feel bored, but that’s great advice not to! Thanks for sharing. Visiting today from the Hearth and Soul link up. Have a great week!