Boredom: The Surprising Superpower
Boredom can be a superpower in disguise.
That may surprise you.
Imagine that you're sitting in your room, and there's nothing to do. You've scrolled through your phone a hundred times, and still, nothing catches your interest. At this point, boredom creeps in like an unwelcome guest. But what if you greeted boredom with a smile instead of sighing in frustration?
Andy Warhol once said, "You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you." Boredom can be the catalyst for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.
So, how can boredom benefit students? Well, it's simple. When we respond to boredom with excitement, amazing things can happen. For starters, boredom encourages us to try new things. Remember all those times when you discovered a hidden talent or a new hobby simply because you were bored out of your mind?
Moreover, boredom teaches us valuable life skills like patience and perseverance. When we're bored, we learn to tolerate frustration and overcome obstacles. Instead of giving up at the first sign of difficulty, we develop the resilience to keep trying until we succeed.
Boredom also helps us become better problem-solvers. When there's nothing to do, our brains kick into high gear, searching for solutions to our boredom. This is where creativity comes into play. Whether building a fort out of blankets or inventing a new game with friends, boredom sparks our imagination and fuels our creativity.
"I find myself worrying most that when we hand our children phones we steal their boredom from them. As a result, we are raising a generation of writers who will never start writing, artists who will never start doodling, chefs who will never make a mess of the kitchen, athletes who will never kick a ball against a wall, musicians who will never pick up their aunt’s guitar and start strumming," said Glennon Doyle in her book, "Untamed."
It's like Glennon Doyle is giving us a secret code to unlock the hidden potential of boredom. When we're bored, our minds are hungry for stimulation. Instead of reaching for our phones, we can use this opportunity to explore new activities. It's like stepping into a magical world where anything is possible.
Embracing boredom can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves. When we're not constantly distracted by screens or activities, we can reflect on our thoughts and feelings. We discover new interests, passions, and talents that we never knew existed.
By encouraging your children to embrace boredom, you're helping them develop essential life skills while also giving yourself some much-needed downtime.
The next time you find yourself staring at the ceiling, wishing for something exciting to happen, remember this: boredom is not your enemy—it's your secret superpower.*