When you bypass your emotions, you miss the opportunities they offer. Boredom, often perceived as the most annoying feeling due to its unstimulating nature, is no exception. Who really enjoys being bored? But then again, who enjoys being sad, angry, or frustrated? These feelings, though uncomfortable and often labeled as negative, can offer immense opportunities if we allow them to.
The Hidden Potential of Boredom
In my experience, accepting boredom can lead to profound introspection, reflection, and creativity. Boredom signals under-stimulation and invites us to seek something more engaging.
Think about what you typically do when you find yourself stuck in a situation where boredom is present, like being at a party where the person you're talking to doesn't seem particularly interesting. What do you typically do?
My Journey with Boredom
I took myself on an overseas sabbatical, choosing to immerse myself for one month in each of three different destinations. My intention was to live life without the responsibilities of work, and the typical distractions and influences of home—no chores, errands, or social obligations. I wanted space to clear my mind and heart.
I can tell you from experience that one month is more than enough time to get to know a place. I found that by the three week mark, my mood began shifting from excited to bored in spite of having plenty of activity to fill my time. That being said, I forced myself to continue trying new little things and taking a walk in at least one new direction every day, and every time I discovered that I truly hadn't figured it all out. As I ventured down new paths, I discovered that my boredom was more a sign of a lack of curiosity than the place itself being boring.
The Willingness to Dig Deeper
How can we reopen our curiosity to unstick ourselves from boredom?
In my experience, boredom often stems from assuming I've figured everything out. I stop asking questions. Ultimately, overcoming boredom boils down to a practice of digging deeper, remaining curious, and to asking yourself, "What else?" and "I wonder about..."
In order to prevent yourself from concluding that you've figured it all out, you need to raise the bar on your questioning game. When you start to believe that you know everything, it could be that your curiosity has stopped serving you, and you end up assuming that there's nothing more to discover.
A Creative Process
If you consider this a creative process, you may find this to be more rewarding. Exploring new things is almost always fascinating. Boredom is an invitation, not a conclusion. Even when you find yourself on a familiar path, ask yourself, "What is there today? What might I discover this time that I have not seen before?" Notice the changes and differences, and in doing so, your curiosity will be piqued, leading to new discoveries.
Applying This to Relationships (and other Aspects of our Lives)
This approach is especially important in our relationships. Just when you think you know someone well, ask yourself—have they changed? What is there for them now? Is there anything I've never asked them? Is there something I don't know? By maintaining curiosity, we can deepen our connections and continue to grow together.
Recognize boredom as an opportunity for growth, creativity, and deeper understanding. It’s not a dead end but a doorway to new possibilities.
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