The Gift of Boredom
When was the last time you let yourself get bored?
That question came to me while hanging out with my six year old niece. Within minutes of playing, she looked up at me and said, “I’m bored.” At first, it made me laugh. Then I started thinking…when do we, as adults, ever admit the same thing?
Most of us do not get bored. Our days are full of noise, emails, meetings, social media scrolls, Netflix binges, podcasts in the car, and endless to do lists. The second we have a quiet moment, we grab our phones or fill the gap with something to “keep us busy.” Boredom has almost become taboo, something we avoid at all costs.
Here is the truth: Boredom is a gift.
When we allow ourselves to sit in that space of “nothing to do,” something amazing happens. Our brains start to process, unwind, and reset. We give ourselves permission to think deeply rather than react quickly. Out of that stillness comes:
Clarity. Boredom helps us filter out the noise and focus on what truly matters. The “urgent” stops shouting, and the truly important rises to the surface.
Creativity. Have you ever noticed your best ideas come in the shower, on a walk, or while driving with no radio or podcast on? That is because your brain finally has the space to connect new dots.
Calm. Boredom slows down the frantic pace of modern life. Instead of chasing the next notification, you breathe, notice, and rest.
So how do you take advantage of boredom and bring it back into your life? Here are a few simple practices:
Take a tech break. Put your phone in another room and set a timer for 10–20 minutes of screen free time. Notice what thoughts surface when you are not scrolling or consuming.
Drive in silence. Turn off the music or podcast and allow your mind to sit and rest while on your commute.
Schedule white space. Block time on your calendar that has no agenda. Treat it as seriously as any meeting.
Go outside. A quiet walk without earbuds gives your brain the rest it craves.
As adults, we have been taught to value productivity, hustle, and efficiency and I, too, support those! However, constant stimulation and filling every moment with something does not make us more productive. In fact, it often leads to burnout, decision fatigue, endless distraction, and constant reactivity.
What if you gave yourself the gift of boredom this week?
What if you scheduled ten minutes with no screen, no noise, and no agenda each day?
What if you allowed yourself to sit, think, or even feel a little restless just to see what emerges on the other side?
You might find that boredom’s perceived emptiness is truly the space where clarity, creativity, and calm are waiting for you.
Do you need help implementing these practices?
Schedule an Implementation Session today to get going and begin to find the space your brain needs.
