Brilliance Through Boredom

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Martin Heidegger, German philosopher, describes boredom using the example of waiting for a train in a provincial station. We begin to feel uneasy and will desperately search for any distraction. We constantly think of the things we could be occupying ourselves with. It seems like we are wasting time, standing in the train station, doing nothing.

Why do we run from boredom? Being bored has developed a negative aura representing the humdrum of our lives, dissatisfaction, dullness, or uninterest.

But what if we are not wasting our time standing in the train station, doing nothing? Boredom is a gift, an opportunity to turn inward to our thoughts and reflect. In her speech, The Value of Boredom, Genevieve Bell talks about the importance of bringing boredom back into our lives and that [it] is “an opportunity for our brain and consciousness to reset itself.”

I rarely go anywhere without my cell phone attached to my hip. When I am home, my iPad and laptop are never far away. All these hi-tech devices seek my attention at all hours of the day. According to a 2020 survey, the average American has access to more than ten connected devices in their household. Fortunately, there are plenty of benefits to trading overload for boredom.

• Boredom can improve mental health by allowing your brain to relax and reset, alleviating stress.
• Boredom increases creativity by encouraging our minds to wander and reflect. This is where brilliance lies, by permitting ourselves the ability to discover new and useful ideas.
• Sitting with boredom and even seeking it out gives us the ability to develop self-control. Through enduring the humdrum, we learn to regulate our thoughts, emotions and actions.
• Humans are built to be unsatisfied with the status quo. Being bored, motivates our search for new interests, adventures, and goals.

So, when you are waiting at the provincial train station, resist the escape of boredom. Perhaps create a space in your home, or make time at your favorite coffee shop to allow your brain to rest, reset, and create room for brilliance.

References

 5 Benefits of Boredom | Psychology Today; Genevieve Bell, The Value of Boredom, Ted Talk ; Martin Heidegger, German philosopher; Consumer Electronics – U.S. 2020 | Statista