Hello everyone! Today, I’m going to talk about a topic I’ve been pondering lately: Boredom. Yes, you heard me right, I’m talking about boredom. In a world that has become increasingly busy and interconnected over the years, boredom can actually provide many benefits, especially when it comes to productivity.
Issues and Information Overload
In today’s world, aren’t we often bored due to the constant exposure to information and the constant busyness of hopping from one device to another? We are bombarded with information constantly, whether it’s social media platforms, keeping up with trends, what to do, and whom to follow. This can lead to a scattered life. This might be a situation many of us face, but I’ve recently been feeling that everything seems like noise. Everything online starts to look like a copy of each other, and in this chaos, as someone trying to understand this noise and keep up with the pace of the world, it can be overwhelming at times.
A Different Perspective: Embracing Boredom
However, when we start to consider using boredom as an antidote, interesting results can emerge. I was inspired by Austin Kleon’s book, “Steal Like an Artist,” a while ago on this topic. The book suggests that productive individuals need to be bored occasionally and allocate time to do nothing. So, I decided to try this experiment for a few days. Could it have an impact on my productivity and ideas? Maybe I need some form of detox. How hard could it be to do this experiment for an hour or two each day?
My Experience and the Initial Days
So, I began this experiment. I was doing well on the first day. I was doing really well for the first two minutes. But then, I had to resist the temptation to pick up my phone out of habit. Isn’t that ironic? I’m consciously trying to do this experiment, yet picking up my phone has become a habit. It’s incredible how complicated things can be.
Boredom and Creativity
Interesting things start to happen when you’re in a less stimulated state. Your mind relaxes, and you can start solving problems in a more productive way, and your ideas can take root and grow. Just as we often come up with our best ideas in the shower or during a commute, our bodies go into autopilot, and our minds can dive into another world. In fact, boredom doesn’t just mean doing nothing; it can also mean doing normal, everyday things like washing dishes, folding laundry, or going for a walk. The only thing you shouldn’t do is reach for your phone. Interestingly, boredom is often not something we consciously pursue, but with so much going on in the world, we encounter many problems. Too many possibilities, too many choices… So, taking time to be bored may require focus, at least initially.
My Experience and Results
I started doing this experiment for a week, and as the days went by, it became easier. I began to embrace boredom more. Seeing new ideas emerge and even old ones resurface was truly fascinating. An hour or two in the afternoon might not seem like much, but it can have a compounding effect over time. Using this time consciously, embracing boredom, and seeing what can come out of it is essential. Most of the time, we have everything we need to generate new ideas or find inspiration. But it’s a matter of making it easier, creating the time you need. Not too much, not too little, just as much as you feel ready for when you return to your work. Remember, boredom is an art too, and sometimes the best creations come from boredom. Wishing you good boredom!”
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