The Value of Boredom
June 16th, 2010 | Published in Life, Technology | 2 Comments
Being bored is a precious thing, a state of mind we should pursue. Once boredom sets in, our minds begin to wander, looking for something exciting, something interesting to land on. And that’s where creativity arises.
My best ideas come to me when I am unproductive. When I am running but not listening to my iPod. When I am sitting, doing nothing, waiting for someone. When I am lying in bed as my mind wanders before falling to sleep. These “wasted” moments, moments not filled with anything in particular, are vital.
They are the moments in which we, often unconsciously, organize our minds, make sense of our lives, and connect the dots. They’re the moments in which we talk to ourselves. And listen.
To lose those moments, to replace them with tasks and efficiency, is a mistake. What’s worse is that we don’t just lose them. We actively throw them away.
—Peter Bregman, Why I Returned My iPad
June 22nd, 2010 at 5:34 pm (#)
I think this posting is very thought provoking. I think that, for me, I don’t necessarily consider these moments you are describing at boredom. I consider these to be moments of relaxation, those where our gaurd is completly down and there is not anything to distract you. It is in those moments that you simply do nothing, and it’s absolutly okay. I agree with what you allude to, there is not anything wrong with taking these moments, they allow us to recharge and take in life.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:19 pm (#)
Whenever I have taken the bus, I find the combination of waiting to arrive at my destination, combined with sitting while traveling and huge windows to look through at the world passing by, sometimes leads me to think up a story idea.
Perhaps it is because I am bored but mobile at the same time.