embracing boredom
I’m going to share something with you: It’s ok to be bored. I know, I know….in our overly tech-saturated world it may seem impossible to embrace boredom. But here’s the thing: boredom isn’t something to avoid or replace with endless scrolling; it can be a muscle we build and a resource we tap into. When you allow yourself to be bored, you create an opportunity for your mind to get quiet, take a breath, wander, connect any stray thoughts you’ve collected throughout your week, close loops, and notice things you otherwise normally miss in a given day. Embracing boredom also invites your brain to create space for something new (whether that be an idea, a question, a new goal or habit you want to try, or a change you want to make) …..and, great ideas rarely arrive while you’re trying to fill the silence with distractions and noise.
In fact, Harvard professor of management practice and leadership Arthur Brooks says that we need to be bored because boredom helps quiet your mind, which ultimately leads to a calmer, more meaningful life (Brooks, 2025).
If there’s nothing occupying your brain, it shifts into the default mode network (DMN), shifting from from focusing on external stimuli to internal thought processes like daydreaming, self-reflection, mind wandering, recalling memories, and envisioning the future.
*One caveat to this conversation is if you have experienced trauma; not having an external stimulus to focus on may trigger a person in such a way that they think about their past and feel unsafe as a result. It may also exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues or depressive tendencies, which can cause disconnection, anhedonia, avoidance, or isolating oneself. If this is the case, connecting with a therapist who can help support you is highly recommended.
Over time you may find that embracing boredom strengthens your attention, deepens creativity, helps you identify misaligned habits, and allows you to connect more deeply with others. If you’re uncomfortable with silence, boredom, mind wandering or all of the above, can you try just 10 minutes a day to sit in silence and notice what comes up for you? Even reframing the discomfort that can arise from being bored can help shift your mindset. For example, instead of saying “I’m bored”, try “I’m available” and see how you feel.
Do you see the value in embracing boredom? How does it feel to be unstimulated for even just a few minutes a day?
~Kate
Brooks, A. (2025). You Need to Be Bored. Here’s Why.
The information provided by Rooted in Wellness Canada is solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you are struggling, you are advised to consult with your physician or other medical professionals.
