Embracing Boredom: The surprising benefits of feeling mundane

If there’s one feeling that’s borderline as worse as being embarrassed, it’s being bored. We despise, and find ways to avoid it as much as possible. With social media showing up in the 21st century, it became easier and easier, and now, you could drop into 1 minute reels in the 5 minute waiting time for a bus. We have all the technology to potentially ban boredom from entering our life entirely. Yet, boredom can be so important to our daily lives.

Firstly, boredom creates opportunity for self-reflection on a deeper level. When we are forced to sit with our thoughts, we try to understand ourself as a person and think extensively about our goals and values. Boredom is where you can find yourself making mistakes, and you actions misaligning with your goals, and when you recognize that, you can reevaluate your actions. If you can never step back and look at the big picture, you will never find mistakes. Boredom allows you to make connections and look at the big picture.

If that doesn’t convince you, let me tell you that boredom can be the source of innovation. Einstein once said, “Creativity is the residue of time wasted”. I’m not saying this just because the quote sounds nice (although, it does.). There’s examples of it occurring everywhere. Einstein himself had his annus mirabilis (miracle year) when he was in his mundane job at the Swiss Patent Office. Newton made contributions to calculus and science when he was forced to be isolated in his home due to the Great Plague. To round this off with people that were not extraordinary, NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson invented the water gun when she was fiddling with a heat pump shooting pressurized water when she was bored after her experiment.

Boredom is not pain; Boredom is the birthplace of a new world and a new you.