How to channel boredom - Deepstash
How to channel boredom

How to channel boredom

Curated from: psyche.co

Ideas, facts & insights covering these topics:

11 ideas

·

36.6K reads

155

3

Explore the World's Best Ideas

Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.

Boredom

Boredom

Boredom is not characterised by the absence of desire. It involves desperately wanting to do something, but not finding anything that can satisfy that restlessness.

When you're bored, whatever you are busy with now seems unfulfilling in some way. You may be unfulfilled by the daily repetitive work that never changes. Boredom is prodding you to explore better options for becoming engaged.

681

5.89K reads

Boredom can be useful

Boredom can be useful

When you experience boredom, it is telling you that you've become superfluous and pointless and that you need to reclaim the authorship of your life.

Psychologists call this a crisis of agency. You've become passive and let life happen to you instead of being engaged with the world on your terms, using your skills and talents in a purposeful way.

664

4.58K reads

Don't linger at boredom

Proneness to boredom is the result of difficulties with self-regulation. Those who are inclined to boredom may feel that boredom is a prison.

Instead of using boredom as a passage to something new, they get stuck and struggle to move on, leading to depression and anxiety, problems with drug and alcohol use, and gambling.

612

4.04K reads

Reclaim your agency - relax

Reclaim your agency - relax

The message of boredom is that you need to reclaim your agency. No one else can do it for you. It is up to you.

Boredom makes you restless and agitated. To overcome this agitation, start with a few deep breaths. You can also redirect that restless feeling by doing physical exercise, such as going for a walk.

617

3.5K reads

Transform boredom through acceptance

Try to accept boredom as an uncomfortable, but necessary emotion to point you back to a well-lived life.

Regain perspective by spending time in nature or talking with friends. Alternatively, meditation might be useful.

602

3.44K reads

Self-reflect and choose your goals

After calming down, try to focus on the possible rewards of the things you could be doing. It will give you enthusiasm for the possibilities.

To get started, it is useful to set aside time for self-reflection; to regroup and address key questions about your life. Who are you? What do you value in life?

615

2.78K reads

Goals that matter to you

Take note that passive entertainment, such as social media, news feeds, games, and streaming services, can make you a passive consumer and prevent you from actively pursuing the goals that matter to you.

If you are unsure what matters to you, it might help to make a list of personal values. Attach realistic and actionable goals that further your personal values. Baking, fixing a bicycle, or reading a book are good boredom remedies if they give expression to your goals.

657

2.57K reads

Getting over paralysis analysis

People that feel bored often suffer from 'paralysis analysis': The desire to do the right thing the right way can prevent them from getting started. They easily lose sight of their goal.

To avoid this, once you have some goals in mind, try to just do it**. Once you get started, the boredom should fade.**

654

2.62K reads

When stuck in boredom, a change of perspective can help

For example, try to imagine yourself as a fly on the wall and explore your boredom from an outsiders perspective.

Another way is to turn your boring situation into an engaging one. If you have to do repetitive work, you could try to beat your personal best time. Or if it is a school project on a dull topic, imagine yourself as a detective working a case.

617

2.39K reads

The Goldilocks Zone

Many of us want circumstances that are the perfect fit. Just like Goldilocks, we don't want it too hot or too cold. We want it just right.

It's hard to engage fully with tasks that are either too much or too little; too challenging or too simple. The mismatch can leave you bored. However, when you find yourself in the middle of the Goldilocks Zone, you get to a state of flow, where you are perfectly challenged and growing.

588

2.33K reads

Reaching a state of flow

To find a state of flow, your goals need to push you to the limits of your skillset.

When your skills are well-matched to the task at hand, it feels deeply rewarding.

600

2.45K reads

IDEAS CURATED BY

cristian_jj

"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. " ~ Abraham Lincoln

Cristian 's ideas are part of this journey:

Happiness At Work

Learn more about personaldevelopment with this collection

How to create a positive work environment

Techniques for cultivating gratitude and mindfulness at work

How to find purpose in your work

Related collections

Read & Learn

20x Faster

without
deepstash

with
deepstash

with

deepstash

Personalized microlearning

100+ Learning Journeys

Access to 200,000+ ideas

Access to the mobile app

Unlimited idea saving

Unlimited history

Unlimited listening to ideas

Downloading & offline access

Supercharge your mind with one idea per day

Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.

Email

I agree to receive email updates