We live in a time when it’s easy to be mildly entertained, which is very unfortunate because boredom is a very driving force. I don’t like when people harp about meditating or not looking at your phone because I never do it and I bet my readers don’t either. So exploring this concept of boredom and creativity will be practical and won’t recommend anything that I don’t do.
Most people don’t think of boredom as an emotion the same way we think of being happy, but it still has a very real hold on our nervous system. Boredom activates a part of our brain called the default mode network which puts us in an introspective state and shifts us away from external stimuli.
I’m sure a lot of people can relate to staring at your bedroom ceiling while trying to sleep and you start remembering things; or when you’re hanging out with your friends and someone comes up with a dumbass idea. That’s awesome and has a way higher chance of happening if we are all bored starting at the ceiling instead of watching reels. Creativity is the natural result of boredom, if the feeling sits for long enough, you will eventually come up with an entertaining idea. Whether it’s a funny concept or some hobby you want to pick up, whatever solution you create it’s definitely cooler than watching four million more reels.
Boredom can also be a negative force. I’ve done some genuinely braindead things because I was bored. It all hinges on how you react to it; like most emotions dealing with them the easy way makes the problem come back with a vengeance. The world we live in is engineered to be addictive and convenient, it’s the staple marketing scheme of every media conglomerate, fast food empire and Phillip Morris himself. The trap is all around us, herding individuals towards apathy, boredom’s annoying little brother. Apathy is a trap, when you’re apathetic, making low effort choices is so easy. But living in constant stimulation makes you more bored, the creative and calming solution to your boredom lies just beyond the trap. Living in apathy is slogging through perpetually stimulated life and straddling mildly entertained and vaguely bored. It strips you of your passion, makes you passive, uninspired and flat
Pushing through and finding ways to fix the problem has huge benefits. It does suck in the moment, but it’s a huge part of the hedonic treadmill. Ironically some of the most boring people I’ve ever met are constantly trying to entertain themselves. So, for people who want to be creative or meet themselves more deeply, try sitting through your boredom.
My suggestion is go on a walk without your headphones, for people who hate wasting time, bring the dog. If you don’t have a dog do the dishes in silence, if your house is loud as hell go journal somewhere quiet. For the readers who identify with the concepts in my writing; I’m obligated to confront you with the fact that being self aware doesn’t make you better than people who aren’t, it makes you worse if you continue to react negatively. Taking time, no matter how small, to re-adjust and just be here has an enormous impact. As a species we’re un-adapted to the world we live in, evolution struggles to keep up with technology. So we have to accept some of the unfortunate realities of a world that has become engineered to take advantage of our outdated nervous systems. Despite all the distractions, I’m hopeful the same creativity that built this addictive world; can find space for a human one.
