I once forgot to bring my phone charger to a family vacation. Instead of freaking out, I decided to just let my phone battery die and see what happened. Well, I got bored really quickly. It was physically painful, and I was really struggling to find something to do. But then, all of a sudden, I picked up a pencil and started writing down my ideas. I felt so creative, with ideas bursting out of me. It was an amazing experience. I also spent a lot more time just talking to others, which deepened my relationships.
Hi Ahsan. This article is a masterclass in reframing something we instinctively avoid—boredom—as a creative powerhouse. The experiment about people choosing electric shocks over sitting alone with their thoughts is hilarious and unsettling. It makes me wonder: have we become so addicted to external stimuli that solitude now feels unbearable? Then I remembered that this isn't a new human phenomenon - Blaise Pascal said (centuries ago), "All of man's problems can be traced to his inability to sit quietly in a room by himself."
Thank you, Ahsan. I just found your publication and I love it. Subscribed.
So glad to hear this. I also came across Blaise Pascal's quote while researching for this piece and I agree. Looking forward to providing more value to you. :)
I absolutely hate washing dishes by hand, but I bought a house that had no dishwasher. At first, it was so boring; but after awhile, when I needed to figure something out, I’d go wash dishes. I’d completely forgotten this until I read your article. I’m an artist and have been stuck for awhile now. I think that I’ll go do something boring like washing dishes by hand!
Thanks Leon. Would love to know how you incorporate the 'boring' in your daily routine. Do you go for 'Boring Walks'? Do you practice intentional waiting? Anything that makes you more creative.
This is so true! I have had some of my best writing sessions on a flight without any entertainment and with my headphones' batteries dead. Those tips are a great way to invite such situations actively into own life, and I cannot wait to implement them.
Great advice. Embrace these moments to let your mind wander. Albert Einstein was bored sitting in a patent office staring out the window when he came up with the theory of relativity. J.K. Rowling was bored, stuck on a delayed train, when she dreamed up Harry Potter.
Great piece! We spend a lot of time talking about the downsides of our smartphones and social media… shorter attention, anxiety (as both a cause and affect), isolation, avoidance, etc. I think you have probably identified a major casualty, our ability to stand boredom.
This article really proves that the best ideas come during solitude. As an ambivert, I've always had out-of-the-world ideas when I'm alone, letting myself escape reality into my utopia. Speaking of ideas, the most best ones come out in the bath, in the toilets, on the bed, or in dreams. The journey within is farther than the journey outside, to be frank.
The best never come when you’re straining for them. They sneak up on you when you’re in the shower, zoning out on a run, or staring at your ceiling at 2 a.m.
I would also argue that those doing repetitive, mundane tasks were probably in a state of irritation, which hindered their ability to think creatively.
I once forgot to bring my phone charger to a family vacation. Instead of freaking out, I decided to just let my phone battery die and see what happened. Well, I got bored really quickly. It was physically painful, and I was really struggling to find something to do. But then, all of a sudden, I picked up a pencil and started writing down my ideas. I felt so creative, with ideas bursting out of me. It was an amazing experience. I also spent a lot more time just talking to others, which deepened my relationships.
That’s actually so lovely to hear. I’m glad you could just put your phone down and stay with your own thoughts.
Wishing you all the best for your writing and your relationships. :)
Hi Ahsan. This article is a masterclass in reframing something we instinctively avoid—boredom—as a creative powerhouse. The experiment about people choosing electric shocks over sitting alone with their thoughts is hilarious and unsettling. It makes me wonder: have we become so addicted to external stimuli that solitude now feels unbearable? Then I remembered that this isn't a new human phenomenon - Blaise Pascal said (centuries ago), "All of man's problems can be traced to his inability to sit quietly in a room by himself."
Thank you, Ahsan. I just found your publication and I love it. Subscribed.
So glad to hear this. I also came across Blaise Pascal's quote while researching for this piece and I agree. Looking forward to providing more value to you. :)
I absolutely hate washing dishes by hand, but I bought a house that had no dishwasher. At first, it was so boring; but after awhile, when I needed to figure something out, I’d go wash dishes. I’d completely forgotten this until I read your article. I’m an artist and have been stuck for awhile now. I think that I’ll go do something boring like washing dishes by hand!
This is so wild because this routine is already a part of my life—it’s amazing to see it validated by others!
Great post!
It’s crazy how much creativity flows when you remove the obstacles standing in its way.
Less is more.
Thanks Leon. Would love to know how you incorporate the 'boring' in your daily routine. Do you go for 'Boring Walks'? Do you practice intentional waiting? Anything that makes you more creative.
Boring walks, intentional waiting, intentional silence/do nothingness. Basically understimulate myself intentionally so I can let my thoughts flow
Lovely to hear. Keep at it! :)
Indeed!
This is so true! I have had some of my best writing sessions on a flight without any entertainment and with my headphones' batteries dead. Those tips are a great way to invite such situations actively into own life, and I cannot wait to implement them.
Yeah, I also put my phone away for hours when writing. Really helpful. I'm glad you liked the tips. Would love to hear more after you implement. :)
Great advice. Embrace these moments to let your mind wander. Albert Einstein was bored sitting in a patent office staring out the window when he came up with the theory of relativity. J.K. Rowling was bored, stuck on a delayed train, when she dreamed up Harry Potter.
Yeah, this state of boredom isn't as bad as we have come to believe. When the mind wanders, we give it more chances to get creative.
Great piece! We spend a lot of time talking about the downsides of our smartphones and social media… shorter attention, anxiety (as both a cause and affect), isolation, avoidance, etc. I think you have probably identified a major casualty, our ability to stand boredom.
Yeah, I think not many of us are willing to get bored. And that's worrisome. We should be able to stay with our own thoughts, at least for a bit.
This article really proves that the best ideas come during solitude. As an ambivert, I've always had out-of-the-world ideas when I'm alone, letting myself escape reality into my utopia. Speaking of ideas, the most best ones come out in the bath, in the toilets, on the bed, or in dreams. The journey within is farther than the journey outside, to be frank.
'The journey within is farther than the journey outside' - love this!
Thank you!
The best never come when you’re straining for them. They sneak up on you when you’re in the shower, zoning out on a run, or staring at your ceiling at 2 a.m.
Yeah, happens so many times with me.
So true!!
This article is amazing!!
The Boring Walks work!! One tends to notice things that they wouldn't notice otherwise.
I am definitely going to try scheduling Boring Blocks in my calendar next.
Thanks Mustafa. I'm glad you found this valuable.
Do try these 'boring' activities and let me know your experience next time we meet. :)
I would also argue that those doing repetitive, mundane tasks were probably in a state of irritation, which hindered their ability to think creatively.
Yeah I guess that can also happen. When one's irritated, their creativity might get hampered. It depends on the state of mind one's in.
It's true that you get to be creative when your mind is not fixed on a specific task.
Sometimes, it's in these 'non-exciting' moments where great ideas come from.
i love it!! This article is a Gem 👏👏👏✨
I'm glad you found it valuable. :)
https://constance710.substack.com/p/you-dont-have-a-cv-problem?r=2pxtbo
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