Boredom-Busting Ideas That Work
We all feel bored sometimes. Maybe the weather's crappy. Maybe it's beautiful weather outside, but someone in your house or apartment isn't in a very sunny mood. Maybe you're just tired. Whatever reason you have for feeling like you're in a funk, boredom can creep in. So, what do to in that state of mind? Sure, you can scroll on your phone or turn on a show. BUT, does that really help? If you want to feel better, not worse, here are a few ideas that we think might help.
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Redecorate your space. Getting stuck in a creative rut can feel inescapable. And you may not be able to jet off to a foreign country to shake your routine, but re-organizing your space can make you feel like you’re in another world. Maybe your desk goes by the window instead, you Marie Kondo your closet, or you go to sleep with your head at the end of the bed. It’s just about jolting your imagination awake and forcing you to look at things differently.
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Offer to help someone else. You might have nothing going on, but I bet someone near you is a busy bee who could use an extra hand. This could be a family member who needs a meal, a neighbor with an overgrown garden, or a local organization desperate for volunteers. This is a great way to set aside your own whirlwinds and learn from others. People are fascinating and almost always have something entertaining, informative, or interesting to contribute.
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Think about what makes you jealous. Envy can be destructive to your self esteem, but it can also be a useful tool to discover your interests. For instance, you might see a classmate upcycling thrifted clothes for extra cash and this stirs up thoughts like, “I wish I was doing that.” Acknowledge that tinge of discontentment, and then get to work! Start journaling your ideas. Then recruit family and friends to chart a path towards realizing that desired life. What are little things you can do today to work toward that goal?
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Read Anyway Mag! The articles are great, the activity sections are always fun, and Issue 1 has a great idea for how you can play a little prank on people in your house. (Hint: The general idea is also pictured at the top of this article!)
- Just be bored. Gotcha! Sometimes it’s okay to be bored. It’s a relatively new problem to “solve” in human history with our brimming schedules. But there is something to be appreciated about stillness and where the mind wanders when it isn’t being told what to do. Do you find yourself drifting off into thoughts of Italy? Crack open an Italian language book. Or daydreaming about fanciful bakery concoctions? Maybe it’s time to experiment in the kitchen. Make peace with boredom and you’ll never be bored.
Caroline Brammer is a New York City–based writer prone to backcountry misadventures. She loves cash-only restaurants, run/walking in the park, chance encounters, and advocating for the preservation of lighthearted antics by working in teen outdoor education.
Top photo by Dylan Nelson
