I’m so bored!
Using the “empty spaces” in our lives to awaken our imagination
I’ve been working hard this summer on various projects and courses, and this week my husband and I had the opportunity to take a break and relax for a couple of days at our friends’ home on the lake. It was a lovely mini-break in a beautiful spot with dear friends and the weather was perfect.
While we were there, I was determined not to do any work (I didn’t take my computer) and I was determined to spend minimal time scrolling on my phone. Most of the time we were busy visiting and I didn’t miss the busyness of “real” life at all. There was one time, though, when I found myself sitting alone on the deck with nothing to do, no one to talk to, and no phone with me. It was really peaceful - and it felt really strange.
I began to feel a little uncomfortable. Shouldn’t I be doing something? What should I do? I began to look around for things to do because I couldn’t just sit there doing nothing, could I? I think I was starting to get bored of my own company.
Once I realized the uncomfortable feeling was a bit of boredom creeping in, I consciously started trying to relax my body. I closed my eyes and started noticing my thoughts. I daydreamed. And I came up with a few ideas I couldn’t wait to get into my journal.
Here’s some things I realized about boredom:
It’s important to allow ourselves to be bored. Instead of instantly trying to change whatever situation you’re in (i.e., taking out your phone and checking social media), sit with boredom and get curious about it. Notice all the sensations and feelings it brings up in your body. Allow yourself to feel the boredom and see if you can be okay with that. Instead of looking for that instant fix, look around you and observe your surroundings, focus on your breath and really notice.
Turn your boredom into meditation time. Meditation happens when we’re in the “do nothing” state. It’s a state of being instead of doing. We’re so accustomed to the bombardment of stimuli that we get really uncomfortable when there is empty space.
Boredom provides an opportunity to be alone with our thoughts and feelings. Just sit with your feelings and notice what comes up for you. What is it you think you need to be doing right now? Over time, you may come to enjoy the empty space between the “doings” of your busy life.
The uncomfortable feeling that boredom creates indicates that what we’re doing isn’t satisfying, ie., we don’t really want to do it. It can also mean that you’re not fully engaged in what you’re currently doing and it is likely not meaningful to you.
Boredom creates space for creativity and inspiration to come alive. It encourages your imagination and creativity to come through. Some of the best ideas you’ll ever have will come from that empty space of boredom.
Feeling bored? Here’s a meditation to help you awaken your imagination and curiosity.
A Meditation to Awaken your Curiosity
To begin, find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Start by noticing your breath as it flows in and out through your nose. Take 3 long, slow, deep breaths.
If your body feels tense, starting at your toes, do a brief body scan and move through your body relaxing each part all the way up to the top of your head.
As you’re breathing and relaxing your body, be curious about whatever comes up for you. What are you thinking? Can you become the observer of your thoughts?
Bring to mind something that you’ve always wanted to do. Try to think in as much detail as possible. Picture yourself doing whatever it is you want to do.
While you’re observing your thoughts about the activity, continue being curious and ask yourself, what more can I discover about this? Become curious about your experience.
When you feel like your meditation is complete, continue the experience by taking out your journal and writing down your thoughts and feelings. You may also want to answer the following questions:
When I think about doing this activity, how does my body feel? Describe in detail.
What do I need to believe in order to make this happen?
What can I do right now that would give me a similar feeling?
The next time you start thinking “I’m so bored”, the invitation is to see if you can delay picking up your phone, reaching for the cookie bag, or turning on the T.V. Can you just sit and be with yourself for a while? Can you take the time to befriend yourself and let your imagination run free? You may surprise yourself and enjoy the freedom an empty space gives you.
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