Last week we chatted about the beauty of BOREDOM. I believe that boredom is a catalyst for creativity. When we have nothing overstimulating us, no noise polluting our thoughts, no pressing tasks to attend to, we reach for creativity. Our minds begin to wander to magical places, and our hands itch to make something. Beauty grows out of boredom.
But something very dangerous is happening in our world, and it desperately needs to be addressed.
A few weeks ago, my mom and I were discussing education, and she mentioned that our local public school is now giving preschoolers/kindergarteners chrome-book time because they “don’t want them to get bored.” Our society is writing the narrative that boredom is bad, that discomfort is to be avoided at all costs, and that convenience is what matters most.
But over the past several weeks, I’m learning just how important boredom is for our creativity. How beneficial it is for our minds not to be constantly stimulated. Boredom inspires make-believe play, painting, baking, writing, exploring. And this boredom/discomfort-averse mindset is a gallows for creativity to die on, and we’re leading children right to it.
I don’t have any grand plans of protesting screen time or anything (in fact, I think a bit of screen time can be beneficial when it’s done with intention and boundaries!) But if I want the world to change its mind and let kids be bored, I need to be willing to be bored, too. That change starts with us setting an example. Sitting with our discomfort. Sitting with our boredom. Letting our minds wander and letting our hands reach for our paintbrushes, violins, and mixing bowls.
My challenge for you still stands this week: set aside a little bit of time to be bored, and see what beauty grows out of it.