Embrace Boredom to Write Better 🥱

Your best writing happens when your mind gets a chance to wander 🗯️

Imagine this: You're alone in a quiet room. No phone. No book. No music.

The task is to just sit there like this for fifteen minutes. Just you and your thoughts.

Will you be able to do it?

Let’s make it more interesting.

What if there was a button there that would give you a mild electric shock? Would you press it?

If your answer is “obviously not,” well, think again!

Because in a fascinating experiment by researchers at the University of Virginia, an astonishing 67% of men and 25% of women chose to shock themselves—multiple times—rather than sit quietly with nothing but their own minds for company.

These weren't masochists. They were normal people who, just minutes earlier, had rated the shock as unpleasant and even said they would pay money to avoid experiencing it again.

People will literally shock themselves rather than get bored for just 15 minutes.

That's how much we hate boredom. Yet, this state we're so desperate to avoid might actually be valuable.

What Happens in Your Brain When You’re Bored

When you're bored, your brain activates what neuroscientists call the "default mode network"—a complex system that lights up when you're not focused on the outside world. While it might feel like nothing is happening, your brain is actually hard at work beneath the surface.

During boredom, your mind begins to wander and daydream.

As boredom researcher Dr. Sandi Mann puts it, "Once you start daydreaming and allow your mind to really wander, you start thinking a little bit beyond the conscious, a little bit into the subconscious, which allows different connections to take place."

This is why some of your best ideas come in the shower, while driving familiar routes, or during other "boring" activities.

Your brain isn't distracted by external stimuli or focused tasks. Instead, it's free to make connections between ideas that your conscious mind might never consider when actively engaged.

Does Boredom Fuel Creativity?

Is there evidence that boredom boosts creativity? Does science back this up?

Dr. Mann and her colleagues decided to put this to the test. In their study, they had one group complete a boring task (copying phone numbers from a directory), while another group skipped this tedious activity. Afterward, both groups were asked to come up with as many creative uses as possible for a pair of polystyrene cup.

Can you guess what happened?

The bored group generated significantly more creative solutions than the non-bored group. Their minds, having wandered through boredom, were primed to make unusual connections and think more flexibly.

So, what does this mean for writers?

Everything. This mental state is pure gold!

Whether you’re stuck on a character’s motivation or crafting a compelling brand story, your breakthrough might come during that seemingly "wasted" time when you're waiting in line at the coffee shop or sitting in a waiting room.

All you have to do is just resist the urge to pull out your phone.

Tips to Get Bored (To Write Better)

Here are some practical strategies to help you embrace boredom and unlock its creative benefits:

1. The "No Input" Morning

Start your day with 30 minutes of no information consumption. No social media, no news, no podcasts—just you and your thoughts before the world rushes in. This creates space for your mind to process rather than constantly consume. Many writers find their best ideas emerge during these quiet morning moments.

2. The "Boring Walk"

Take regular walks without your headphones. Let your mind wander as your feet do the same. Notice how your thoughts drift and connect in surprising ways when you're not filling your ears with content. These solitary walks can lead to unexpected creative insights.

3. Schedule "Boredom Blocks"

Actually put 15-20 minute "boredom sessions" in your calendar. During these times, do nothing but sit quietly. No reading, no writing—just being. These might feel uncomfortable at first, but they're like strength training for your creative mind.

4. Create a "Shallow Work" Routine

Designate certain mundane tasks (folding laundry, washing dishes, organizing your desk) as "no-phone zones." These routine activities are perfect for letting your mind wander productively.

5. The "Digital Sunset"

Set a time each evening when screens go off. The hour before bed becomes a technology-free zone, allowing your mind to drift and process the day's experiences. Keep a notebook nearby—you'll be surprised what emerges when your brain isn't being constantly stimulated.

6. Practice Intentional Waiting

When you find yourself waiting (for coffee, in a line, for a meeting to start), resist the automatic phone check. Instead, use these micro-moments of potential boredom as opportunities for your mind to wander.

A Final Thought

When asked for his advice to aspiring writers, Neil Gaiman's response was simple: "Get bored."

In our hyper-connected world where every second offers another chance for stimulation, boredom might just be the writer's secret weapon. So put down your phone, embrace the mundane, and let your mind wander. Your next great idea is waiting in that empty space.