Before the internet became just another part of our lives, ‘I am bored’ would be a common refrain from children during the long, hot summer holidays. That may or may not be the case now, but research today shows that boredom is, in fact, an important condition for human beings.
Boredom is the feeling of something missing, “a desire for desires,” as famous Russian author Leo Tolstoy said. Historically, industrialisation made the concept more defined as people began to have more free time and aspirations rose. Boredom became a noun through Charles Dickens’ character Mrs. Dedlock in the novel ‘Bleak House’.
It is only in the 21st century that boredom has begun to be seen as restorative, calming, even necessary for human wellbeing. This is mainly because the pace of life has become so fast and changes so unpredictable that the yearning for a moment of peace is welcome.
Research has shown that boredom is an important condition of the human mind. Trials with people who were asked to do the mundane job of separating bowls of coloured beans showed that they spent that time thinking of various projects for themselves, starting first lines of poems or stories, and even creating business ideas – all in the mind, of course, but some of them may take off.
According to psychologist and author Sandi Mann, author of “The upside of downtime: Why boredom is good”, boredom should be embraced for three main reasons: it generates creativity, it is good for mental health and it provides a good perspective on life.
Because boredom occurs when the mind is looking for stimulus, good, if not great ideas can come during such downtime. So can stepping away from the endless hysterical noises on social media. We can’t think through all that din, so consciously staying away can provide a chance to just daydream and spend time with ourselves. All this then can also give us an honest perspective on life – where we are going and what our plans may be.
Choosing to be bored may sound odd, but it is suggested by psychologists as a calming way of gaining some me-time. Adults could indulge in monotonous activities like going for a walk swimming, or just sitting with eyes shut.
Children, on the other hand are advised to just do whatever they want, or if they need a nudge, then engage in some unstructured activities. Earlier, this would involve climbing trees or tossing a ball in the backyard, but if this is not possible in smaller, modern apartments, then making a temporary tent with bedsheets, recycling old bottles and jars with paint, or just people watching from the window are all creative ways of spending time. It doesn’t have to mean much or result in anything – it just leads to calm and joy.
So, next time children or adults repeat the refrain of how bored they are, appreciate it as a fulfilling moment, knowing that it is just another important phase of life.
Sandhya Rao Mehta is Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, Sultan Qaboos University.
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