Repurposing Boredom
I’m guessing you’ve been there too. Consumed by the technology in our pockets for just a tad longer than we intended. If not, great for you. Tell me what sort of odd projects you get yourself into?
If I guessed correctly, then maybe you can relate:
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It begins with a hiccup of motivation, inspiration, or frustration.
Any one-off moment and I am scrolling, swiping, and tapping. Maybe a case of text neck or computer dry eyes finally breaks my infinite scroll into thinking. “Could I be doing something else right now?” Put down the phone and try.
My mind is thawing from the swiping and tapping.
Like a limb that fell asleep but now it’s waking up and has to be used. It’s tingly and painful at first but soon back to working as normal.
I should “Seize the day!”
but how…
I feel best when fully engaged with any task at hand.
The more difficult or demanding the more satisfied.
I do not need the internet to figure this out.
At least not yet. Grab a pen and paper, go for a walk, or daydream.
Do not grab the endless time pit of your phone. The sugar high of convenience is tempting…
This feels uncomfortable, strangely new.
I’m disconnected from a screen. I am immediately more engaged with my thoughts and now boredom may be setting in. "With boredom and monotony, small differences begin to emerge."
My mind actually does work on its own.
I continue wondering until a new curiosity arises.
It’s my duty to respond constructively.
To hold on to that new idea, explore it further and decide if spending time on it will be more satisfying at the end of the day than not. The answer is yes, always.
I don’t know where the new curiosity will lead but taking a step in its direction is how I’m going to find an adventure today. Attempting a new challenge, idea, or activity will be more enjoyable than hovering in a social media black hole.
I act and explore.
Today it’s searching for a new trailhead, fixing an odd light in the apartment, or writing to an author I thoroughly enjoyed reading last week.
I’m confident from personal trial and error if I spend time doing any of these items, I will feel better about logging it at the end of the day.
My goal now is to seek out and find times to regularly partake in activities that engage my mind and body. It will be a practice of gratitude to individuals that have created something I value. I know this alone brings me joy.
How to get your mind back. A recap:
Disconnect
Let your mind wander
Hold on to a curiosity
Explore it further and find something new
Continue until it becomes difficult or boring
Keep going
Observe the small nuances that emerge
Focus and learn something from them
Repeat to challenge yourself in a small and adventurous way each day
Recognize that this practice can be more exciting and lasting than refreshing your ‘Feed’ once more
Reading Inspiration:
This train of thought and its oversimplification was inspired by all the following items. These writings seemed to connect with me on a similar theme but from different angles. I encourage you to peruse them and see if you form a different perspective.
Digital Minimalism-Cal Newport
This was a great read and not just a guilt trip for being on your phone. He makes us think about how we use our technology and to ensure that it's being used in ways that are creating value or helping us achieve higher satisfaction.
I reference my notes from Cal's book, Deep Work more than any other book I've read. I highly recommend starting there.
The Screwtape Letters–C.S. Lewis
Lewis inverts the idea of good and evil. The demons working on behalf of the Devil are assigned a human patient to try and get him to act in ways that pull him further away from God (the Enemy). One of my favorite chapters is when the demon, Wormwood, is encouraged to keep the patient worried about living in the future versus being present and engaged with his daily life. “Biological necessity makes all their passions point in that direction already, so that thought about the Future inflames hope and fear. Also, it is unknown to them, so that in making them think about it, we make them think of unrealities… Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.”
Finding your Frontier–Alex Carabi
Carabi encourages us to find and push our frontier. "Where the known meets the unknown. Where you feel desire and fear at the same time." We desire something new, exciting, and challenging while we fear to leave the warmth and security of the easy and predictable.
Let the Children Get Bored Again-Pamela Paul
Life isn’t meant to be an endless parade of amusements. “That’s right,” a mother says to her daughter ...“You are bored. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it’s boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it’s on you to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.”
There’s Only One Thing To Do With Today: Seize It–Ryan Holiday
He lists some other ways that may provide a kick in the rear for you.
Like when Marcus Aurelius, the most powerful man in the world, writes in his personal notes that we need to get up and out of the warmth of the blankets in the morning...
Or when Seneca tells us "Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: It snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today… The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately.”