Your Brain on Boredom
Bored? Good. Don’t reach for your phone—reach for… nothing.
Let me guess: the moment boredom strikes, your hand instinctively grabs your phone like it’s a lifeline. You swipe, tap, scroll—looking for anything to fill the void and give your brain its next dopamine hit. But here’s a wild thought: what if boredom isn’t the villain? What if it’s the unsung hero your brain’s been ignoring?
I talk a lot about ditching your phone for hobbies and activities. But today, I’m suggesting something even more radical: do nothing. Yep. Nada. Zilch. Just sit there with your thoughts like it’s 1823.
If the idea makes you squirm, good. That’s the edge of your comfort zone waving at you. Step over it. Next time boredom creeps in, don’t run—sit with it. You might be surprised what happens once your brain gets over the “help me, I need a dopamine drip” phase.
Turns out, neuroscience backs this up. Boredom can spark creativity, boost focus, and make you more productive. Basically, it's your brain's way of tidying up the mental junk drawer.
Last summer, I was at my grandparents’ house and saw something curious. My granddad—92 and sharper than a sushi knife—would read the newspaper (a real one, printed on actual paper!) and then just… sit. For hours. No phone, no TV, no crosswords. Just thinking. Or napping. Or both. Meanwhile, I could barely sit five minutes without reaching for TikTok like it was an oxygen mask.
So I tried it. I carved out some “grandpa time” every day—no agenda, no distractions. Just letting my mind wander. You’d be amazed where it goes. Spoiler: this entire website was born out of one of those moments.
Here’s the thing—your attention is currency. And just like your money, you should be picky about where it goes. Don’t give it away to every shiny app or dancing video. Make creators earn it. If they haven’t? Pocket that attention like a savings account. Let boredom be your compound interest.
Your future self—with the stronger focus, sharper brain, and deeper creativity—will thank you.
