Words by Freya Bennett // Photo by Taiki Ishikawa
Growing up in a country town as an only child of the 90s, I was a master at being bored. With no screens to distract me, no siblings to fight with or grand city adventures to have, I sat in my boredom. And what I now realise came from that boredom was effervescent creativity, a strong sense of self, and wide eyed curiosity.
As an adult with a reasonable screen addiction, I’ve noticed that all this scrolling and absorption of other peoples content has taken away that sense of self. While I still have my values and opinions, I’m losing the ability to mull things over, to come to slow conclusions myself and instead, I’m easily swayed by a 6 second reel.
Our diminishing attention spans and declining curiosity about complex issues like politics are contributing to increasing polarisation, with many of us trapped in angry echo chambers. Our inability to sit with discomfort or thoughtfully process our feelings has made us vulnerable to radicalisation, both on the left and the right. As a result, we’re drifting further apart from those with differing opinions.
It’s not just politics that’s affected by our inability to be bored—our creativity is at risk too. While I’m still committed to exploring my creative side, I’ve noticed how fidgety and distracted I feel when I sit down to create. Studies show that smartphone addiction and excessive use of digital devices may impair the brain’s capacity to generate new ideas. There are links to decreased gray and white matter in the brain, both of which are crucial for memory, attention, and problem-solving. The brain needs periods of rest and boredom to spark creativity, yet constant engagement only exhausts it. Our fragmented attention, as we jump between screens and tasks, has diminished our ability to focus, making it harder to think deeply.
But all is not lost. When I routinely become aware of my brain’s inability to be bored, when I catch myself reaching for my phone within seconds of putting it down, I know it’s time to act. They might seem small, but here are a few things I’ll be embracing over the coming weeks as I try to welcome boredom back into my life:
1. Delete social media apps
Deleting social media apps is the best way to detox. While that’s not always realistic (if your job involved social media), I’ve noticed that when I’ve managed to stay off social media for a week or two—usually by actually deleting the apps—it’s made a huge difference. I feel my energy return. My brain starts exploring new ideas once more. I can hear my inner voice more clearly. I enjoy small things again: lying on the grass, reading a book, making my home spaces beautiful.
2. Notice your world
Sometimes, when I put my phone down and really look around, I’m shocked by how little I’ve been living in my own home. I’ve been inhabiting a digital world—and it’s not pretty. But the moment I give myself space to notice the real world, everything becomes beautiful. The dust dancing in the sunlight, the cat stretched out on the couch, the dishes by the sink, my kids’ shoes scattered everywhere—they’re beautiful. And I’ve been missing them.
3. Go about your day unplugged
Give your brain a true break from outside input and let it wander. Often, I can feel my brain begging for a break, and still, I’ll press play on a podcast. But the times I’ve forced myself to walk in silence have been excruciating at first—and then completely euphoric. I feel connected to the world again, almost high on life.
Boredom might feel itchy at first, but that’s just the withdrawal from constant stimulation. But I’d argue I’m already bored of all this input. When I push through that discomfort, I feel relief. My body relaxes. My mind exhales. I start to create again. I have original thoughts. I trust my own voice. It’s beautiful.
Boredom gets a bad rap. Kids complain about it, and we spend our lives trying to combat it—filling every spare second with stimulation. But boredom is where the magic happens. It has sparked art, innovation, and deep self-discovery. I worry about our future without it. So, over the next few weeks, I’m making it my mission to welcome boredom back into my life (which will be a marathon of a mission—there’s no boredom quite like full-time toddler parenting without some adult stimulation). And I invite you to join me. Let’s put down our phones, sit in the quiet, and see what rises up from the stillness.
