“The Sweetness of Doing Nothing: Why We Need Boredom
“Il dolce far niente” – the beauty of doing nothing. This Italian phrase might sound unfamiliar to many. When our to-do list rivals the length of a blue whale, what beauty could there possibly be in doing nothing? Being idle not only delays our tasks but also demands that we exist in a state devoid of stimulation, engagement, and at times, sheer boredom.
This means confronting our thoughts without the intervention of dopamine – a notion that seems daunting. A psychological study found that 67% of men and 25% of women would rather give themselves a mild electric shock than sit alone with their thoughts for just 15 minutes.
Upon reflection, it’s evident that we spend our days avoiding boredom. Our phones seem to be designed for this very purpose of escapism. With our fingertips tapping into an endless digital world – headlines, movies, podcasts, articles, games, social media, messages, and more – it’s no wonder 74% of Americans are not accustomed to leaving their phones at home, with 71% checking their phones within the first 10 minutes of a new day.
When boredom strikes, most of us immediately seek solace in the arms of this small digital companion. But should we really be doing this?
Many philosophers and researchers argue that we don’t always need to evade boredom. In fact, boredom plays a crucial role in the mental well-being of humans and is essential for life itself. It provides the brain with much-needed rest, unlocks the gates of creativity, fosters self-awareness and reflection, and teaches us to deeply experience “being” rather than just “doing.”
The human brain never rests. Every activity we engage in requires effort from our brains, with neurons communicating incessantly among themselves and with other parts of the body. It’s only during nighttime sleep that the brain gets some relief and thoughts can be organized.
However, even during waking hours, the brain needs moments of rest. A bow constantly pulled taut will eventually wear out, losing strength and flexibility. As Bryan Robinson pointed out in Forbes, boredom helps the brain stay healthy by providing the relaxation it needs. Furthermore, boredom aids in social improvement, as the brain in this state is more open and inclined to communicate.
Researchers and creative individuals have discovered that boredom can also spark inspiration. Robinson explains:
“Boredom can actually spark creative ideas, refill your dwindling creative reservoir, and restoke your work drive. In those moments that seem boring, vacant, and meaningless, long-standing strategies and resolutions lurking in the bowels of your brain were released and realized.”
Poet, playwright, and essayist Aaron Angello experienced this firsthand when he set himself an unusual writing task: for 114 consecutive days, he would wake up early each morning, sit in the same chair facing forward, and contemplate a single word from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29. In other words, he intentionally immersed himself in moments of brief boredom each morning. Subsequently, he began writing and continued until filling entire pages. The outcome? A book titled “The Fact of Memory: 114 Ruminations and Fabrications.” Angello recollected, “Looking back, I realize that I stumbled upon one of my most productive writing practices by accident.”
In his essay “No Boredom, No Creativity,” Angello likened his writing experience to people trapped on a train, in a state ideal for daydreaming and brainstorming:
“Physically in the same position as before (sitting, facing forward), the brain, by disengaging from a series of irrelevant affairs of the day, allows the individual to transition from conscious thought to a vast realm of what I call ‘supraconscious’ thought. On the train (or bus, chair in the living room), we shift from an engaged state to a state that could be called boredom, a state that serves as a gateway to creativity.”
Many exceptional poets, inventors, artists, and scientists experience epiphanies while engaging in unrelated activities. Jeffrey Davis emphasized this in his Psychology Today article:
“Research has found that individuals are often more creative after being tasked with monotonous, boring activities. Boredom is an emotion that ‘drives diversity,’ suggesting that it motivates us to seek new, different – and thus creative – experiences and solutions. Boredom naturally nurtures foundational qualities such as curiosity and openness, attitudes that lead to more creative insights into new experiences and environments.”
He suggests making the most of naturally occurring boredom periods in daily life, such as during commutes and lunch breaks, and not immediately escaping these idle thoughts via screens.
Apart from catalyzing creativity, boredom promotes self-reflection and self-awareness through the ambiance of solitude.
We often fear solitude, largely due to the accompanying quietness and boredom. However, loneliness and tranquility are crucial for processing and summarizing experiences, aiding individuals in better understanding themselves. This is the path through which humans build self-awareness.
As Sherry Turkle wrote in her book “Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age,” “Loneliness is the place where we discover ourselves and connect with others. When we lack the ability to be alone, we will rely on our outside world to diminish our anxiety or make ourselves feel alive.”
People who rely heavily on external stimuli – be it social interactions, digital devices, or both – to feel comfortable in their own state may not possess a strong sense of self-awareness. Learning to be in the present, exploring the past and future, requires keeping an open mind during periods of boredom. These seemingly idle moments serve as gateways to thought; they guide us into unplanned, unforeseen tracks of reflection.
Turkle vividly explains, “To reclaim the ability to be alone, we need to learn to see moments of boredom as reasons for inner exploration, and defer ‘going elsewhere’ at least some of the time.” This attitude of avoiding always “going elsewhere” corresponds to a desire to “live in the moment.” Accepting transient boredom – even its threats – allows us to experience the present and focus on the world before us.
I recently experienced this firsthand when I was stranded in a place with no internet signal, waiting for a pick-up. All I could do was live in the moment. As a result, this experience turned out to be unexpectedly rewarding. Upon reflection, I remarked:
“Devoid of any electronic distractions, miles away from the city, unable to speed up my wife’s arrival, I had no choice but to sit by the stream. It was a blissful sense of helplessness. Time simultaneously slowed down. I transitioned from an active state to a realm of pure existence. I wasn’t ‘someone trying to accomplish a task’ or ‘someone going elsewhere.’ I was simply a being suddenly thrown into existence, stumbling upon the vivid world before me, so alive and breathtakingly beautiful.”
Robinson also suggests intentionally scheduling such moments in your weekly agenda. He recommends not only creating a “to-do list” but also a “to-be list.” The “to-be list” encourages mindfulness and allows time for being present:
“You create space for yourself to stretch and take deep breaths between meetings; make time for a walk around the block to clear your thoughts; or engage in meditation, prayer, chair yoga, watch grass grow, or just contemplate the universe. When your brain coexists with these idle moments, it becomes healthier and happier.”
Rarely does one find an entry on a schedule that reads “doing nothing” or “feeling bored.” However, what changes could occur in individual lives and society if more people did so?
Boredom compels us to listen and open our hearts. With no external forces vying for our attention, no “entertainment” occupying us, we find ourselves liberated – even if this freedom comes with a tinge of discomfort and initial unease. We can present ourselves to the world openly. As Turkle said, “You don’t have to leave the room. Just sit at the desk and listen. You don’t even have to listen; just wait, learn to be quiet, calm, alone. The world will reveal itself freely before you, allowing you to unveil its true essence.”