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So, my 5-year-old has discovered the phrase “I’m bored.” This revelation sent a wave of panic through me because I thought we had a few more years before boredom became a familiar concept for him. (After all, he still finds joy in transferring pennies from one jar to another!) But there it was: “Mom, I’m bored.” In the countless times he’s uttered this since then, I’ve attempted to solve the dilemma: reminding him of his toys, books, or suggesting he play with his sibling. Or, like my own mother, I’ve jokingly threatened him with chores.
A couple of months ago, I embarked on a long weekend challenge to avoid screens entirely, something I thought would be a breeze. However, I quickly realized how difficult it was. By the end of those three days, I experienced a sensation I hadn’t felt in ages: boredom. Since getting my first smartphone, I had filled every little gap in my day with quick checks on my phone, whether it was reading headlines, sending texts, or just glancing at the time. Coincidentally, I had also been lamenting my dwindling creativity—a situation I was quick to blame on the kids and my lack of free time.
Then, I stumbled upon the “Bored and Brilliant” initiative from WNYC, encouraging listeners to unplug for a week. Manoush Zomorodi, the host of Note to Self, pointed out that boredom can actually spark creativity. It’s only by enduring those uncomfortable feelings of wanting stimulation without immediately satisfying that urge that we open ourselves up to creating.
Boredom isn’t about having nothing to do; it’s a clash between our desires for stimulation and what we actually experience. As psychologist John Eastwood explains, a bored person “wants to be stimulated but is unable to connect with their environment,” which he describes as an ‘unengaged mind.’ Dr. Teresa Belton from the University of East Anglia found that this gap—between the need for stimulation and the lack of it—is where creativity often thrives. Many creative individuals reported that their moments of boredom were what pushed them to explore new ideas. In essence, if we never allow ourselves to feel bored, we miss out on the mental space necessary for creativity.
In the U.S., we have a deep-seated fear of boredom. We equate it with laziness or an inability to come up with something to do. We idolize busyness and productivity, viewing boredom as a problem needing a solution. So when my son lingers in the kitchen saying, “I’m bored,” my instinct is to leap into action and suggest activities for him.
However, after my experience with the “Bored and Brilliant” challenge, I had a breakthrough regarding boredom. Now, whenever he voices his complaint, I simply respond, “It’s perfectly fine to be bored.” Initially, he resisted, exclaiming, “It’s not okay to be bored!”—having already absorbed societal notions about constant productivity and entertainment. I calmly reply, “It is,” and continue with my own tasks, allowing him to embrace his boredom. Recently, he constructed an imaginative “printer/shredder” out of yoga blocks and paper towel tubes, where one could print a paper only to have it shot down a tube and shredded—talk about a little writer in the making!
When he grew tired of that, he lay on the couch gazing out the window, and I refrained from suggesting he draw or read. I put my phone away, laid down next to him, and we enjoyed that moment together. Because really, it’s okay to be bored.
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In summary, embracing boredom can not only foster creativity in children but also allow parents to reconnect with their own creative sides. So the next time your child declares, “I’m bored,” remember: it’s not the end of the world—it’s an opportunity for imagination to flourish.