Transcending the Limits of Boredom

Woman with head resting on hand
Photo by Niklas Hamann. Unsplash License

Discover the phenomenon of boredom, its unexpected benefits, positive effects, and why it's so painful. Written with a bit of humor and lots of clichés, but with a serious side.

What Does “Bored Stiff” Mean? The Importance of Being Bored

When you think about this long enough, several things come to mind:

  1. You may advance to a new level of consciousness.
  2. You may think that this cognitive activity is simply a waste of time.
  3. You may die of boredom (Is that where “bored stiff” came from?)

Okay, so when I break it down, other questions start forming in my mind, such as: Why do we die of boredom? It’s not meant to be taken literally.

Can boredom bring on anything else? Of course, it can. There are many unexpected benefits of boredom. It brings on a multitude of feelings.

But wait! If boredom is related to many feelings, how does it fit in with everyday life?

Birth, Death, and Taxes Are Never Boring

If boredom is related to a whole bunch of feelings, then where does death come into the picture? Death is not a feeling, but boredom is. Death is guaranteed, however. You and I can’t avoid it. We can only make our lives pleasurable based on our personal values. And be present in every moment.

There are no guarantees that you will avoid being bored. You have a choice with your feelings. You can usually do something about it, even if there are reasons for your present state of boredom.

Three things are for certain: Birth, death, and taxes. But I won’t go there. It’s better to think of more positive things.

The Positive Effects of Boredom

We often think that being bored is a bad thing. But it can lead to creativity and deeper thoughts. That’s precisely what I’m doing here with writing this article.

Yes, I’m bored at the moment. However, I’m turning it into a positive experience by brainstorming and allowing my creativity to emerge by carrying one thought to the next.

That can be for amusement or for educational purposes. Or even a combination of both. Either way, the possibilities are endless. It’s a time to self-reflect and learn something about yourself.

Instead of disliking being bored, consider it an opportunity to explore new possibilities. It doesn’t have to be painful.

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Why Is Boredom So Painful?

Have you ever read something and suddenly realized your mind was wandering after reading through several paragraphs, and you were thinking of something completely different?

Without realizing it, your eyeballs were traveling along the words while your mind was busy with other thoughts.

When that happens to me, I realize I lost my attention span. Then I have to go back and start all over. That’s painful!

Now, if I could only elevate myself to a new level of consciousness, that would be great. That simple statement makes me wonder, how many levels of consciousness are there anyway?

The Conscious Level of Boredom Is Amazing

Then there is the level of consciousness where we are so involved with what we are doing that we entirely overlook everything going on around us.

I observe people becoming bored with experiences that would otherwise be super-enlightening and remarkable. They are unconscious of their environment, but nothing strikes them with awe. How sad. But why does that happen?

The ultimate level of consciousness is spirituality. We sometimes become aware of something that is beyond our recognition. Isn’t that amazing? It never ends!

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Our Boring Workday Never Ends

I wrote this article late at night after my typical workday had ended. I let my bored mind meander wherever it wanted to go. And it’s the direction my bored mind took this article. So, basically, I’m brainstorming my late-night thoughts in my head.

But hey, if our workday never ends, when does it roll into the next day? If the previous workday never ended, what became of it?

The end of one day must precede the next day. Every new day must begin with the dawn. Such as “The dawn of a new day.”

A new day is welcomed at dawn. To be, or not to be, is not to be questioned. The answer lies with the beholder. You catch my drift. Don’t you?

The Hidden Power of Boredom, Catch a Drift

Why do we have to catch a drift anyway? For that matter, what is a drift? And how do we see it? What do we do with it once we have it? Is it similar to catching a cold? I hope not.

Sometimes I find myself adrift in an ocean full of silly notions with only one oar to control where I go. But that’s not the same as the drift I’d hoped you’d catch.

I keep feeling that at any moment, you may drift away. I must act quickly to keep your interest and attention.

The Benefits of Being Bored, I Never Lost Your Attention

I think I bored you enough already. I honestly don’t know why you’re still here. But thank you for standing by me. Or are you sitting? (Too many clichés? I can’t help it when I’m bored.)

Have I exhausted all possibilities to keep you around any longer? After all else is exhausted, consciousness may be on the verge of boredom, but only if our attention is lost.

On the other hand, boredom can become a new consciousness. But only if we allow it to progress to that level. It’s all in the way we handle our boring times.

Well, I guess I never lost your attention since you’re still here! You’re free to leave now. Go and find something else to bore you.

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