Discover why a little boredom may be beneficial for creativity, imagination, reflection, and personal growth in a world filled with constant stimulation.
A Little Boredom Might Be Good Thing
Boredom has a bit of a public relations problem.
Most of us learned early that boredom was something to avoid. If we were bored, we were supposed to find something to do, something to watch, something to read, or somewhere to go.
Today, avoiding boredom has never been easier.
A moment in line at the grocery store.
A few minutes in a waiting room.
A pause between tasks.
Almost instantly, we can reach for a phone and fill the space.
I do it, too.
There is no shortage of entertainment, information, and stimulation available at any given moment.
And to be clear, I do not think technology is inherently bad.
This summer, I have enjoyed audiobooks borrowed through my local library. I have listened to music while doing chores around the house. Technology has helped me learn new things, stay connected, and enjoy stories I might not otherwise have discovered.
The issue is not the technology.
The question I have been pondering is whether we still leave enough room for our minds to wander.
Because sometimes it seems that the moment boredom appears, we rush to eliminate it.
We scroll.
We refresh.
We search for the next distraction.
And perhaps in doing so, we miss something valuable.
This summer, I have been noticing what happens when I allow a little more space in my day.
Not hours of empty time.
Just moments.
A few quiet minutes on the patio as the sun begins to set.
A walk outside.
A pause between activities.
Time that is not immediately filled with input.
At first, those moments can feel surprisingly restless.
The mind reaches for something.
Anything.
Entertainment.
Information.
A task.
A distraction.
But if I stay with the feeling long enough, something interesting begins to happen.
The restlessness settles.
Curiosity emerges.
Ideas appear.
Thoughts connect.
Questions surface.
I begin to notice things I might have otherwise missed.
One of the activities that has unexpectedly helped me create this kind of space is an adult coloring book.
Not “adult” in the sense of mature content, but simply detailed illustrations paired with meaningful passages.
I rarely finish a page in one sitting.
In fact, this coloring book has lasted me several years.
Sometimes I take it out to the patio in the evening while the air begins to cool and the day slowly winds down.
What I enjoy most is not completing the page.
It is the experience itself.
My hands are occupied, but my mind is free to wander.
The pressure to produce something disappears.
The pace slows.
The day softens.
Perhaps that is another gift hidden within boredom.
When we stop reaching for constant stimulation, we create room for curiosity.
And curiosity often leads us somewhere interesting.
A new hobby.
A creative project.
A solution to a problem.
A fresh perspective.
A deeper understanding of ourselves.
As children, boredom often led to imagination.
We built forts.
Made up stories.
Created games.
Explored the world around us.
As adults, perhaps boredom still has something to offer.
Not because boredom itself is the goal.
But because it can be the doorway to something else.
Creativity.
Reflection.
Presence.
Wonder.
As we continue this Summer of Enough, I am learning that not every empty moment needs to be filled.
Not every pause requires a distraction.
Not every hint of restlessness needs to be solved.
Sometimes the most meaningful things emerge after we stop reaching for the next dopamine hit and simply stay present with the moment.
Perhaps a little boredom is not something to fear after all.
Perhaps it is simply space waiting to be used.