As my 5-year-old recently declared, “I’m bored,” I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I had thought I had a few more years before boredom would even enter his vocabulary. After all, he still finds joy in simply moving coins in and out of a jar! Yet, there it was: a clear call for engagement. Initially, I responded by suggesting his toys, books, or even chores—just like my mom did with me.
However, a few months back, I embarked on a weekend-long digital detox that proved to be more challenging than I had expected. After three days without screens, I rediscovered a feeling that had eluded me for years: boredom. Since the dawn of my smartphone, every spare moment had been filled with quick glances at my device, whether it was scrolling through social media, responding to messages, or checking the time. Consequently, I had been lamenting my dwindling creativity—a frustration I often blamed on my busy life as a parent.
Then I stumbled upon the “Bored and Brilliant” initiative from WNYC, where listeners were encouraged to unplug for a week. The show’s host, Mia Johnson, pointed out that boredom can serve as a catalyst for creativity. By allowing ourselves to sit with those uncomfortable feelings of wanting stimulation without immediately seeking it out, we open the door to creative thoughts.
Boredom isn’t simply about a lack of activities; it stems from the clash between our desire for stimulation and what we’re currently experiencing. According to psychologist John Eastwood, a bored individual often finds themselves in a state of an “unengaged mind.” Research by Dr. Sarah Thompson from the University of Southern California supports this idea, indicating that many creative professionals attribute their innovative breakthroughs to moments of boredom, which pushed them to explore new avenues.
In today’s fast-paced culture, there’s a pervasive fear surrounding boredom. We often equate it with laziness or a lack of intelligence, feeling the need to be perpetually busy. When my son sulks around the kitchen expressing his boredom, my instinct is to jump into action and provide him with options.
However, following my experience with the “Bored and Brilliant” challenge, I had a lightbulb moment regarding boredom. Now, when he voices his discontent, I calmly respond, “It’s perfectly fine to be bored.”
Initially, he reacted with disbelief, exclaiming, “It’s not okay to be bored!” clearly influenced by societal expectations of constant productivity and entertainment. “But it is,” I reply softly, returning to my tasks and allowing him the space to be bored. The other day, this led to him creating a “printer/shredder” out of yoga blocks and paper towel tubes, demonstrating his creative flair.
When he grew weary of that, he simply lay on the couch gazing out the window. I didn’t rush to suggest drawing or reading; instead, I placed my phone in a drawer and lay down next to him. Because it’s absolutely okay to embrace boredom.
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In summary, allowing children—and ourselves—to experience boredom can unlock a world of creativity and imagination. Instead of seeing it as a problem to fix, we should embrace those moments of stillness as opportunities for growth.
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