Embrace Boredom

In a previous post I was trying to fathom why someone wouldn’t want to go on a solo stroll and posited the notion that they assume it would be boring. After that it occurred to me that we seem to have lost the knack for being bored, in fact to describe something as boring is probably more insulting than saying you hated it. At least if something is bad you can say it was so bad that it was good. But if it’s just dull, or meh, then that is the ultimate insult.

We now have access to a seemingly infinite amount of entertainment and information so why would we ever be bored? If something doesn’t immediately thrill us well that’s no problem, we’ll just hop across to the next thing. As far as I can tell this overwhelming sense of choice presents a few problems. First of these is decision paralysis – you have so many options that you are incapable of making a choice, partly because there’s a fear of making the wrong choice but also simply being overwhelmed by options.

But also if we are constantly being stimulated by outside sources then we have no need to create our own entertainment. This issue has been recognised when talking about children, with parents being advised that it is not only ok for their children to be bored but that it is a good thing as it allows them to develop their creativity. For example if your child is bored and you give them a pen and paper, once they’ve finished moaning about it, they have several options. Will they choose to write a story, poem or song or will they start drawing? Will they draw something they’ve seen or something they’ve imagined. Alternatively they may try to make something with the paper, either way boredom has given creativity a chance to develop.

However it seems that as adults we are no longer allowed to be bored, in fact I think there is often a sense of guilt about it. It is either seen as self-indulgent as other people can only wish they had time to be bored or it’s seen as a failing as how can you possibly be bored when you have XYZ to entertain you? However just because we are older it doesn’t mean that we no longer need time to be creative, or to simply allow our minds to be quiet rather than being subjected to constant stimulation. If being bored means we can revive our childhood creativity then let’s embrace it!

Although how do you plan to be bored? Being bored can’t really be classed as a hobby or pastime. If only there was a way to give yourself permission for some quiet time… Perhaps going for a walk could help? By jove, I think she’s got it! I mean this is a blog about walking so you can’t claim to be surprised but it does also make sense. The next time you have some time to spare, rather than doomscrolling on social, or going through your never-ending watchlist why not grab your boots and go for a stroll? Even if you just go round the block a few times, the route may be dull but you may just be surprised at where you mind drifts off too. Whether you compose a sonnet or simply decide to cook something different for dinner it doesn’t really matter as the point is you’ve had time to think without any other distractions.

Of course, you may return from your walk cursing this blogger for encouraging you out as you haven’t experienced any epiphanies, you found the walk boring and you wished you’d stayed home and read a book instead. But even if this happens you’ve still had some fresh air, a break from the screen and got your body moving so I’d still class it as a win 😉

That’s how I stroll.