Boredom

Boredom is both terrible and uniquely awesome. We humans hate boredom so much that we will literally inflict pain on ourselves rather than be bored. There’s a study on this where participants, after being bored for a bit, would literally seek out the only source of stimulation in the room which was an electric shock. They would shock themselves, knowing it would be painful, rather than be bored. As a species we will literally inflict pain upon ourselves rather than be bored.

The upside is that the avoidance of boredom has driven us to tinker, explore, create. Much of humanities greatest accomplishments were no doubt driven by boredom. The twin side of boredom is a restless curiosity. When we follow that trail, magic happens. We find unique interests, serendipities, talents.

Get off your phone. Stop avoiding boredom by inane distraction. Stop chasing the lowest common denominator when you could be engaging in activities that bring out our best as humans.

Let yourself feel boredom again, and then do something real with it.