An Ode to Boredom
Not trying to get into some existential conversation with the virtual masses about the thin line between being bored and being unimaginative. This is not that.
This is a clarion call — to do nothing. For like, an hour — or maybe twenty minutes?
Whether you travel constantly, care for toddlers or even thrive in the job of your dreams — you’re probably in some sort of routine. Now, I’m not about to shit on routines because I absolutely love them and I’m a Capricorn, so I have no choice. But I am going to ask you to deviate for a moment. The idea that routines leave little room for creativity or free thinking is well known. But, we forget. And although we know the blue light from screens before bed is atrocious for our health, we persist. Because it’s in our routine and that’s just what we do. No, I’m not going to set my alarm and put my phone in the next room. Yes, I want better sleep doe. Catch 22.
My life coach insisted I meditate. Start with twenty minutes. TWENTY MINUTES! Good god I can barely count to twenty. Yea… I also overstate but whatever. I downloaded Simple Habit and tried for a solid week at five minutes. Because, slow and steady progression, right? Yea well that was a month ago and I haven’t opened the app. Great discipline Vik, I know it had that elusive trait once. Maybe in high school… honestly I don’t remember.
SO ANYWAY, I booked this vacation in the UK for a month with the intention of moving at my own speed, enjoying my time, talking little and hopefully finding some inspiration. For what? No se — but inspiration is good regardless right?
The trip sneakily snuck down a familiar path. I started doing the absolute most. Booking multi day trips (not my thing), going on dates (which was great, but didn’t I want alone time?), checking job boards (chill, damn), accepting a month long contract (wasn’t my vacation a month?) — anxiety was beginning its ascent. Shocker to literally no one in my tribe but me. Great.
So I called my unit, as I do when my brain starts to retrograde in leaps. In typical fashion, it went like this (whilst I’m on speakerphone and they’re at their kitchen table trying to hear me through my AirPods, just to set the scene).
Dad: So, if I may. Isn’t this a vacation, as in time spent relaxing and refreshing, why are you on the computer?
Me: Well yea but I need to be out here… making moves.
Dad: Okay, but don’t you consistently make moves? Isn’t that why you’re taking a vacation — — from move making?
Me: (stale face through phone and inclusion of eye roll because dramatics are normal)
Dad: Can you do me a favor? Finish your coffee, understand that you can’t control who emails you back and when, go outside and do something for yourself. Turn off your phone. You can wallow in anxiety at home — and if that’s what you want to do, come home. You need money?
Me: (Breathing and contemplating my frustration level at his accuracy)
Mom: True. On another note — so and so’s mother asked me about yada yada yada, don’t you know something about that? …
Me: MOM STOP! I HAVE AN IDEA! Gotta go talk later, click
Firstly, LOL at conversations with Shaman Sim (my dad). Secondly, kudos to my Mom. That insidious cosign of SS is her forte. Getting my creative juices aflowin. You feel me?!
I proceeded to put my phone on do not disturb (let’s be real) and headed to the Meadows. I laid my pashmina out on the vast grassy knoll, took out my pen, notebook and sat. The vitamin d was hot but the air was cool and I started to write. Resisting the urge to grasp my phone (just to fact check right?) and ideas started spilling out. I was confused, but into it, so didn’t stop.
Two hours later I’d written out three separate sets of creative projects. I honestly didn’t even know I was creative until I was surrounded by my group while working at Remote Year. You know, twenty eight years down the line but who’s counting.
By any other barometer, I was bored for two hours, no external stimulation except dogs running around me in the park. No conversation to involve myself in. No food to eat and no music to listen to. Unstimulated freedom. Weird, but equally lit.
What if inspiration comes when you’re bored a little? (Thanks EM).
Free that mind from its limiting leashes my fellow humans! Allow it to do nothing and feel no shoulds, coulds, or hopefully’s. Just chill and let it spill. The creativity may just start falling out ya ears because it can’t get out fast enough!
