The Benefits of Boredom

Have you ever been so bored you wanted to scream?

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the many lockdowns, I have experienced more boredom than ever, and I know there are thousands of other teens who have experienced the same. 

Boredom is not necessarily when you have nothing to do, but rather when the options available do not appeal to you. That’s why if you say you’re bored and your parents tell you to wash the dishes, it doesn’t cure your boredom.

It’s easy to watch TV or go on your phone anytime you’re bored. Whether you are at school, at home, or on the go, there is entertainment at your fingertips. But that isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Although boredom is an unpleasant feeling, it’s important to just let yourself be bored every once in a while. When you’re bored, you can let your mind wander instead of being hyper-focused all the time. When you let yourself think freely, you can come up with some of your best ideas and it gives you time to reflect on your life, your goals, and your future.

One day when I was bored and scrolling through my phone, I came across a video clip that talked about an experiment where participants were put in an empty room for about 10 minutes with nothing to do. Their only source of entertainment was their thoughts, and the only other thing in the room was a button. All the participants knew that if they chose to press the button, it would give them a small electric shock. Rather than simply being bored, 25% of women and 67% of men chose to shock themselves. I couldn’t believe that people would rather experience physical pain than boredom, so I decided to do a test. I put down my phone and just sat in my chair doing nothing. I got bored very fast. I just wanted to pick up my phone again. Then I realized that my phone was the problem.

So, I decided to try something out: the next day would be a “no electronics day.” I had a day off school with nothing planned that I probably would have otherwise filled with endless TV. When I woke up the next morning, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and started my “no electronics day.” At first, it was very hard, it was so quiet, and I just wanted something to occupy my mind. But soon, that annoying quiet became peaceful. I started to notice the little things around me and even began to appreciate them. I sat by the window and listened to the birds singing. I watched squirrels run and play, and my mind started to really think freely. I thought about the projects I had at school, the people I have in my life, and even the life that I want in the future. Without my phone, I wasn’t focused on as many things at once, and I could give all my attention to one thing. Throughout the day, I came up with some great ideas for school assignments, crafts, and writing, and I thought a lot about my goals. 

I also found that many of the things that I normally find boring, like household chores or practicing piano, were much more entertaining. Playing the piano was enjoyable and captivating and completing my chores made me feel accomplished, not tired.

At the end of the day, even though I had a day that most would consider incredibly boring, I felt energized and anything but bored. I felt much better than I did on those days when I had spent all my time on my phone and accomplished nothing. I felt creative and peaceful, and I had a new perspective on the little things in life that I wouldn’t have given a second thought to before. 

So next time you are bored at home, in the car, or even waiting in line, instead of pulling out your phone, look out the window, look around, and just let yourself be bored. It could be just what you need. 

Source about shock experiment: ence.org/content/article/people-would-rather-be-electrically-shocked-left-alone-their-thoughts