As a child, whenever I was really bored I would complain to my parents, begging to play my video games. My baby sister would give me someone to hang out with later on, but until the age of seven, I didn’t have any siblings, so I’d have to find my own entertainment. My parents, obviously tired, would just say something along the lines of, “Being bored is good for you.” Maybe they said that because they didn’t want to deal with me, but I think there was some kind of wisdom in their words. Boredom is something we despise and try to get away from whenever possible, but it’s an opportunity for discovery: a chance to connect with ourselves and the world in unexpected ways. When you have absolutely nothing to do, your brain does whatever it wants. It’s like a mini machine; it’s always looking for something to do, and if there’s nothing, it’ll make something. We’re always looking for action, although now that’s just scrolling through TikTok or Instagram reels mindlessly instead of finding something to do. Of course, social media is great for finding connections. It connects us with billions of people across the world, but in doing so, it can isolate us more than ever. For the mind that desperately wants to be used, the endless rush of chemicals from those apps is a dangerous trap that can have us end up lost or feeling like we wasted our time. That’s why when we are bored and have nothing to do, we try to stop that feeling no matter the cost. We hate the feeling of boredom because it makes us feel like we’re not doing anything, and our monkey brains hate that. It’s not that we are against wasting time—I’m an expert at that, and I can say that it’s not the same as being bored. Doing nothing is an action, but being bored is when you want to do something but can’t. That’s why we create things and mess around when we are. Think about the last time that you were bored. Maybe it was with your friends, or maybe you were just by yourself, but I bet you didn’t just keep lazing around. When I’m bored with my friends, I always end up trying something different, and maybe even strengthen my friendships. If you look back, basically every great invention was created because people who were bored stumbled into a great discovery. The world is filled with random things to grab your attention. Trends, drama, and jealousy define the world, but we don’t always need to let those things absorb us. Embracing the boredom that comes with life can help us rediscover ourselves and take a break from everything that follows. We constantly pump ourselves full of distractions to keep our focus away from the imperfections in our lives. Our grades, our personal lives, our fears. It’s easy to run away from that, to occupy your mind with the endless but empty satisfaction that we gain from social media; which is too stimulating to look away from, but not important enough to remember. It’s when we’re bored that we are forced to confront ourselves. That’s when we can’t retreat to comfort; when we have to push forward instead of wallowing in our shells. Part of boredom is stepping out of our comfort zones. But what can actually come from being bored? Well, that’s the great thing, it differs from person to person! For some, it may just be a reminder of things they forgot. For others, it can be a time to reflect, think, or just be at peace. Sometimes silence is all we really need. Take the time you’re given to think about anything, what’s for dinner, things you need to do, or even your future! Next time you feel a sense of boredom in your life, don’t immediately whip out your phone to dull the sensation. Embrace it— see what comes out of it, because you may even discover yourself.
