Up until now, I’ve talked about being Bored in a very vague sense. “Boredom fills my life.” “I want to be “Bored.” I’ve never actually talked about what being Bored means to me. I want to discuss that now.
At one point I mentioned “staring at the wall” was my Boring task but that’s not the case. Although Boredom is my Goal, I also don’t want to waste my life away. Deciding what I did during my Bored time was critical to making this philosophy work.
The first “Boring” activity I picked up was reading, specifically reading self-improvement and other non-fiction books. Although I’ve always enjoyed being a light reader throughout my life, I’ve never been able to sustain reading over the long haul. I might get into a craze and go through a few books quickly and then not touch a book for a year. It was mostly a binge-read and then withdraw relationship. I’ve been able to change this into a more consistent reading habit by slowing everything down in my life. If I know I’m going to have an hour of free time every night, filling it with a book is quickly done.
I’ve also focused on staying away from fiction books. Although I have read a few this past year, I put these in the same distraction category as TV or social media. Albeit a much more useful distraction but a distraction nonetheless. So by sticking to self-improvement and other non-fiction books, I keep things on a more productive trajectory.
Another “Boring” activity I’ve started is reading graphic novels. I know it’s easy to argue that these are fictional books and I just said I consider them a distraction, which is true. But graphic novels are in a unique class and if done thoughtfully, fit into the system smoothly. The reason why my interest in them has sparked recently is that the storyline can progress quickly. If I pick one up for even just a few minutes, something meaningful can happen in the story. I also tend to go through them fast. So they are a short distraction; not a distraction 20 episode binge watch on Netflix where you essentially lock in half a work week worth of distraction time. The ease of picking up and ease of completing graphic novels are appealing but only half the equation.
Their cost is the other half of the equation, typically ranging between $10 to $50. This amount makes it very affordable but also limiting. I wouldn’t want to buy a new one every day or even every week. So although I might be able to read through one in a few days, I might then wait a month to buy a new one to even out the costs. I could also find some graphic novels free online or at the library and the frugal part of me screams that this is the smarter approach. But the cost is a built-in mechanism to limit how much time I’m willing to give to reading them.
The last significant “Boring” activity is essentially building a better household. Random chores like cleaning the counters, cleaning the microwave, clearing out the fridge. Possibly simple meal preparations or tidying up. Even doing the laundry and folding clothes. These are all things most people probably prefer not doing. And if given a chance I would rather binge-watch that Netflix series myself. But binge-watching Netflix in no way improves my life but having a well taken care of household improves not only my life but the lives of my family. And a major side benefit of this is that it starts to become infectious. My two younger kids LOVE “folding” clothes with me now. The 2-year-old mostly moves clothes from one pile to another. The 6-year-old has focused on running between room to put the clothes away or doing simpler tasks like matching socks. But are marginally helpful but it’s a start, and it’s a great family bonding time.
In the end, I’ve still managed to keep busy and be productive even in my Bored times. But they are all typically mentally relaxing or lightly physical or some other kind of beneficial Bored. And it’s all been working out great!
(Written 2019.01.25)
At one point I mentioned “staring at the wall” was my Boring task but that’s not the case. Although Boredom is my Goal, I also don’t want to waste my life away. Deciding what I did during my Bored time was critical to making this philosophy work.
The first “Boring” activity I picked up was reading, specifically reading self-improvement and other non-fiction books. Although I’ve always enjoyed being a light reader throughout my life, I’ve never been able to sustain reading over the long haul. I might get into a craze and go through a few books quickly and then not touch a book for a year. It was mostly a binge-read and then withdraw relationship. I’ve been able to change this into a more consistent reading habit by slowing everything down in my life. If I know I’m going to have an hour of free time every night, filling it with a book is quickly done.
I’ve also focused on staying away from fiction books. Although I have read a few this past year, I put these in the same distraction category as TV or social media. Albeit a much more useful distraction but a distraction nonetheless. So by sticking to self-improvement and other non-fiction books, I keep things on a more productive trajectory.
Another “Boring” activity I’ve started is reading graphic novels. I know it’s easy to argue that these are fictional books and I just said I consider them a distraction, which is true. But graphic novels are in a unique class and if done thoughtfully, fit into the system smoothly. The reason why my interest in them has sparked recently is that the storyline can progress quickly. If I pick one up for even just a few minutes, something meaningful can happen in the story. I also tend to go through them fast. So they are a short distraction; not a distraction 20 episode binge watch on Netflix where you essentially lock in half a work week worth of distraction time. The ease of picking up and ease of completing graphic novels are appealing but only half the equation.
Their cost is the other half of the equation, typically ranging between $10 to $50. This amount makes it very affordable but also limiting. I wouldn’t want to buy a new one every day or even every week. So although I might be able to read through one in a few days, I might then wait a month to buy a new one to even out the costs. I could also find some graphic novels free online or at the library and the frugal part of me screams that this is the smarter approach. But the cost is a built-in mechanism to limit how much time I’m willing to give to reading them.
The last significant “Boring” activity is essentially building a better household. Random chores like cleaning the counters, cleaning the microwave, clearing out the fridge. Possibly simple meal preparations or tidying up. Even doing the laundry and folding clothes. These are all things most people probably prefer not doing. And if given a chance I would rather binge-watch that Netflix series myself. But binge-watching Netflix in no way improves my life but having a well taken care of household improves not only my life but the lives of my family. And a major side benefit of this is that it starts to become infectious. My two younger kids LOVE “folding” clothes with me now. The 2-year-old mostly moves clothes from one pile to another. The 6-year-old has focused on running between room to put the clothes away or doing simpler tasks like matching socks. But are marginally helpful but it’s a start, and it’s a great family bonding time.
In the end, I’ve still managed to keep busy and be productive even in my Bored times. But they are all typically mentally relaxing or lightly physical or some other kind of beneficial Bored. And it’s all been working out great!
(Written 2019.01.25)
