Do you remember ever getting bored when you were a child? Perhaps it was a rainy day during summer break. A long car ride to visit grandparents. That space on Saturday morning after the cartoons ended, with nothing else to watch on TV (when we had four channels and no remote!). Or fidgeting in the church pew on Sunday, patiently waiting on the preacher to finish their last point.
Boredom is normal. It is a state of mind characterized by a lack of interest, excitement, or engagement with one’s surroundings or activities. It often arises when we perceive our current situation as monotonous or lacking in stimulation. We get restless, experience dissatisfaction, and often seek out something more engaging or entertaining.
While we may view boredom as something negative, let me suggest that it can actually be healthy for us. Boredom serves as a signal that we are not fully engaged or challenged and prompts us to seek new experiences or ideas. Mostly, we view this mental “down time” negatively and try to stay busy. In today’s culture, this can mean more time spent on personal electronic devices or increased screen time. We scroll away on Instagram and check work emails. Our minds stay stimulated. Our brains don’t get a break.
What are the benefits of boredom?
Here are a few to consider . . .
- Creativity Boost: Daydreaming allows our minds to wander. Our brains are freed to come up with innovative ideas and solutions.
- Mental Rest: We give our minds the opportunity to rest and recharge. It’s like “defragmenting” the hard drive on a computer.
- Self-Reflection: This mental down time enables us to think about our lives, values and goals. For us Christians, this is a terrific way to be available for prayer and listening to God, reflection on scripture, and meditation.
- Enhanced Focus: Experiencing boredom and “being present in it” helps us to train our minds to improve our attention span and sustained attention.
How to Reclaim the Gift of Boredom . . .
- Disconnect Regularly – Be intentional to give your mind a rest each day. Recently, I heard a speaker say they take a “15-minute vacation” a few times each day.
- Embrace Downtime – Give yourself permission to rest and simply to be.
- Practice Mindfulness – Be present in the moment and find contentment in times that otherwise might be boring.
- Engage in Simple Activities – Take a walk, work a jigsaw puzzle, read a book or work in the garden. Let your mind wander.
- Change Your Perspective – Instead of viewing boredom as something bad or to be avoided, consider it a valuable opportunity for growth, creativity, and self-discovery.
You might ask, “Pastor Bob, what prompted you to write about being bored?” Great question! The simple answer is “the beach.”
As you know, during the past month, I received the gift of three extra weeks for rest and refreshment. (The church added this to a week’s family vacation, so I was out for four weeks.) We spent the first week at the beach on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The time with my family reminded me of the importance of just being present. I paid attention to simple gifts such as breathing in the salt air, listening to the waves crash, reading a good book, taking a nap and going for ice cream. We also got to see our extended family in South Carolina. Later in my time away, I hung out with Isabella at the pool. We went to Starbucks and 7 Brew Coffee. Melanie and I enjoyed date nights. We visited Isabella at Sugar Shack Donuts where she worked this summer. I helped cook dinner. We went to the movies. I got a few things done at home. Oh, did I mention ice cream?
Thank you, church, for these few extra weeks with my family this summer. We are grateful. May we all find time to “be still with our Lord” (Ps. 46:10).
In Christ’s care,
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