Totally agree, we need more time to be bored. My mum used to say that 'boredom is the absence of ideas' but I now think differently and like you that time to bored allows our mind to connect the dots and look at problems differently. I deleted a certain social media app last week before going on holiday and it was the best thing I did. I've since realised just how much time I was spending on my phone. Now putting in place ways like walking and doing things with friends to 'rest' and be bored. Thanks for the reminder and the links to the studies that prove it!
Hi Bethan! How interesting what you tell. It is often the case that people are not aware of how much time they actually spend on certain activities. It's very common to underestimate the total time we spend on the phone.
In reality, when we really take advantage of that empty time is when we are fully rested. I like to go for an hour walk in the sun every day. That is undoubtedly the most productive time of the day because I get to renew all my energies and I come back full of new ideas.
You have to be really bored and not be passively distracted by television or the cell phone all the time.
I've always believed that boredom and unproductive time is important and not wasted. You've just provided documented proof. Thank you, Alvaro. It's true. Doing housework, for example, is the most boring, mind-numbing activity in the world, yet while doing simple chores, even those I hate with a passion, produce scenarios that amuse me. Some of them might be useful. Maybe an epiphany will fall upon me as I vacuum and dust. Or I may rehearse something I want to say to someone or formulate an opinion that's plagued me since reading a news article. Down time is valuable time.
When I worked for a newspaper, there was a writer there who specialized in political articles and editorials. He did a lot of walking. Sometimes you just have to get away from the storm you've stirred up in your writing to see the big arc of the story.
Exactly, Sue, it is necessary to step back, to distance oneself in order to reflect and see the whole picture. That's a good example, I liked your story!
I love this! It seems many people are deathly afraid of being bored. But the truth of the matter is that if we just stop and listen, while walking, sitting, or just being, that we clear away the clutter of noise and focus on the truth of our senses. It is then that the muse of our creativity comes calling. She can be a bit shy! And very jealous! She especially hates tic-toc and FB. Sharing this post tomorrow in my journal. Thank you~!
I completely agree with what you say. Since I walk without distractions I have become more creative. It seems like I waste an hour of my time, but it's just the other way around, the one who wastes it is the one who works an extra hour thinking he will make more progress. After returning from my walk I come back recharged with energy and full of ideas.
Totally agree, we need more time to be bored. My mum used to say that 'boredom is the absence of ideas' but I now think differently and like you that time to bored allows our mind to connect the dots and look at problems differently. I deleted a certain social media app last week before going on holiday and it was the best thing I did. I've since realised just how much time I was spending on my phone. Now putting in place ways like walking and doing things with friends to 'rest' and be bored. Thanks for the reminder and the links to the studies that prove it!
Hi Bethan! How interesting what you tell. It is often the case that people are not aware of how much time they actually spend on certain activities. It's very common to underestimate the total time we spend on the phone.
In reality, when we really take advantage of that empty time is when we are fully rested. I like to go for an hour walk in the sun every day. That is undoubtedly the most productive time of the day because I get to renew all my energies and I come back full of new ideas.
You have to be really bored and not be passively distracted by television or the cell phone all the time.
I've always believed that boredom and unproductive time is important and not wasted. You've just provided documented proof. Thank you, Alvaro. It's true. Doing housework, for example, is the most boring, mind-numbing activity in the world, yet while doing simple chores, even those I hate with a passion, produce scenarios that amuse me. Some of them might be useful. Maybe an epiphany will fall upon me as I vacuum and dust. Or I may rehearse something I want to say to someone or formulate an opinion that's plagued me since reading a news article. Down time is valuable time.
What a good reflection you make, Sue! I totally agree. In fact, I have every day 1 hour of down time that the most productive of the day.
Every day I go for a walk for 1 hour alone, during that hour I clear my mind, come back revitalized and loaded with new ideas to write.
Without that hour I would not be able to maintain my writing process. Notice how down time fuels my productive time.
When I worked for a newspaper, there was a writer there who specialized in political articles and editorials. He did a lot of walking. Sometimes you just have to get away from the storm you've stirred up in your writing to see the big arc of the story.
Exactly, Sue, it is necessary to step back, to distance oneself in order to reflect and see the whole picture. That's a good example, I liked your story!
thank you, alvaro!
Glad to hear you liked it 🙏
I love this! It seems many people are deathly afraid of being bored. But the truth of the matter is that if we just stop and listen, while walking, sitting, or just being, that we clear away the clutter of noise and focus on the truth of our senses. It is then that the muse of our creativity comes calling. She can be a bit shy! And very jealous! She especially hates tic-toc and FB. Sharing this post tomorrow in my journal. Thank you~!
I am very happy to hear that it has inspired you.
I completely agree with what you say. Since I walk without distractions I have become more creative. It seems like I waste an hour of my time, but it's just the other way around, the one who wastes it is the one who works an extra hour thinking he will make more progress. After returning from my walk I come back recharged with energy and full of ideas.