Benefits of Boredom

'All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.' Blaise Pascal

Take a stroll through any bustling public space and observe the ebb and flow of individuals. Rarely will you encounter a soul "at rest." We are a society in perpetual motion, perpetually occupied with tasks and obligations. Our aversion to moments of repose has become so pronounced that we shun the very notion of idleness. Regrettably, the precious intervals of respite and contemplation that should be cherished have succumbed to the relentless allure of our handheld devices.

Ponder the sight of today's youth when they simply have to sit and wait for a fleeting minute. Alas, such a notion is met with palpable unease. Invariably, they reach for their smartphones, eagerly attending to the siren calls of their notifications. It appears that we have developed an aversion to tranquility, an aversion to stillness. But why do we harbor such disdain for Boredom? Could it be that there are hidden virtues concealed within its embrace?

In 1665, Isaac Newton opened a new page in the book of our relationship with nature. Newton demystified the law of gravity from the realm of the gods to the mortal realm. Understanding the law of gravity was pivotal in harnessing nature for our own good. But none of it would have opened if John Newton was not bored. The Great Plague of London had sent him packing from the hallowed halls of academia to the countryside's sleepy embrace. It was here, beneath the boughs of an apple tree, that Boredom struck with the force of a falling fruit.

Here are 2 Reasons why Boredom is important;

Stillness is the secret sauce: It's the secret to finding peace, staying focused, and understanding yourself and the world around you. It's like a superpower – when you stop and take a moment to be still, that's when the magic happens. Just think, if Newton was scrolling through cat videos on his phone, he might have missed that famous falling apple moment. Embracing stillness is like discovering the cheat code to a better life. And you know what? You can't find that stillness without a little boredom.

And hey, have you ever noticed that it's only when you're chilling out in silence that you remember all the important stuff? It's like a light bulb moment – suddenly, you remember to call your grandma, grab a new toothbrush, or buy those shoes for your kiddo. It's in those quiet moments that the real important stuff comes flooding back to you.

Boost creativity: Robert Caro had been a newspaper writer at New Brunswick Daily Home News and Newsday for some years when he got a fellowship, the Nieman Fellowship. It was during this time that he thought deeply about his work. A daily newspaper writer is always on the lookout for the next scoop for the next day. Such a life was always in the rush. It was during this fellowship that one day, he sat in the office and reflected on his work. He came to the conclusion that writing daily pieces for the newspaper was good, but if he wanted to do work that would be more important and have a more transgenerational impact, he had to write books. The products of those reflections are the biography of Robert Moses and the 5-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson. Both of them are considered among the greatest political biographies of all time. Boredom led Robert Caro here.

Our society's relentless pursuit of perpetual motion and unceasing occupation has obscured the invaluable virtues embedded within boredom. It is time to reclaim it.

When you find yourself in a boring situation next, don't grab your phone. Stay calm and enjoy it.