Bored Stiff? That’s A Good Thing

Having more time on your hands often leads to break-throughs.

Look, I get it — this pandemic is turning everything upside down.

You've probably been moping around the house, so bored that you’re wondering what would happen if you set fire to your houseplant.

Being bored is often perceived as a bad thing — I think that’s why people used to fill their calendars to the brim with activities and events and meetings and whatever else they could fit into their lives when that was still an option.

Remember those days?

But the fact is, being bored often leads to discoveries or new creations you wouldn’t have thought of if you hadn’t had extra time on your hands.

For example, today I started painting again. Normally, I never find the time for it.

Now that I can organize my time in whatever way works best for me, though, I’ve discovered how calming and enjoyable it is to take some time off from other things and create something new.

Find your thing

Maybe painting isn’t for you. If so, that’s fine. But find something you usually never have time for and do it.

Dust off your guitar you bought ten years ago and start learning a new song. Pick a recipe and surprise your family with a special treat.

Whatever it is, this is your time to try things you’ve never done or haven’t done in years.

After all, that’s often how great inventions are made: People with too much time on their hands suddenly get inspired and think, “I wonder what would happen if…”

And before they know it, they’ve discovered something that changes the lives of millions of people.

(Okay, that doesn’t always happen. But it has in the past, so it could happen again.)

For example, did you know that fireworks and pizza scissors were created by people who were bored?

I get it — those are weird examples. But they do show that boredom is often an important ingredient in making new discoveries, big and small.

Mix things up

One reason you might be bored is that you’re doing the same things over and over again like a robot. Who wouldn’t get bored by that?

Now that you’re home anyway, why not change your routine? This is the time to try things you don’t usually do because your schedule is too packed.

For example, if your country currently allows it, why not go for a run at 6 a.m. before your day usually starts? Why not try writing at 12:30 a.m. when the house is quiet?

You might find that changing what you can control in your life right now is just want you need to stop being bored and start living life on your terms for once.

Don’t fill your days with too much screen time

I know how easy it is to use the extra time we have to mindlessly scroll through social media or watch movie after movie. But the fact is, that won’t lead you anywhere.

Actually, it will — it will lead you away from the life you want.

Be mindful of what you gravitate toward when you don’t know what to do, and try to set limits on things you know are bad habits, like falling asleep with a screen in your face.

If it helps, try setting a daily limit and make a list of other activities you can do that don’t involve screens.

When I was a child, my mom set a 1-hour limit on my screen time. Even though I didn’t like it back then, I now understand how important it is to step away from the computer and do other things.

Bottom line

I’m convinced that in every situation, there’s a silver lining. Really. Call me naive, but I’ve lived through some pretty terrible things and I’ve never lost faith in that.

I believe you can change your life if you want to, even in the middle of a global pandemic.

If you’re bored right now, just know that it’s hardly the end of the world. On the contrary, if you use boredom to your advantage to try new things and push yourself to new limits, you can advance your life more than you realize.

Don’t miss this opportunity.