Why Being bored is good for your creativity?
Inspired by this video by Chris Do, here is an exploration of my understanding of the benefits of boredom and how it can enhance creativity and productivity.
It’s not a negative state of mind
Boredom has often been seen as a negative state of mind, something that should be avoided or prevented. But recent research suggests that boredom can be beneficial for creativity.
In a study published in the journal Creativity Research Journal, researchers asked a group of participants to engage in a boring task for 15 minutes before completing a creativity task.
They found that those who had engaged in the boring task beforehand generated more creative solutions than those who did not engage in the boring task.
The researchers believe that boredom can stimulate a search for new and interesting stimuli, which can in turn increase creativity. This study suggests that taking a break from mentally stimulating activities and allowing ourselves to be bored can actually be beneficial for our creativity.
This is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world where we are constantly stimulated and distracted.
Boredom Vs Stillness
Firstly, it is important to differentiate boredom from stillness. While boredom is often associated with a feeling of dissatisfaction, stillness is a state of mind where we are mentally active in our nothingness.
When we allow ourselves to be still, we create the conditions for our subconscious mind to connect dots and make creative connections that we may not have been able to see before. It is in these moments of quietness that our most fertile creative ideas can emerge.
Building Blocks of Creativity
Secondly, boredom is a precursor to creativity. When we are constantly working on projects with tight deadlines and client demands, we can get stuck in a pattern of thinking that limits our creative output.
Boredom, however, forces us to break out of our routine and come up with new and innovative ideas. It is in this state of mind that we are more likely to take risks, experiment, and try new things.
Enhances Mental Clarity
Thirdly, boredom allows us to detach from our work and find the mental space we need to think more clearly.
This can be particularly important when we are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. By taking a break and allowing ourselves to be bored, we create the conditions for our minds to rest and recharge.
In turn, this can help us to be more productive and creative when we return to our work.
How do you Embrace boredom then?
One way is to build in moments of stillness and quietness into our daily routines. This could be as simple as taking a walk in nature, meditating, or practicing yoga.
By permitting ourselves to be bored, we create the conditions for our minds to be more creative and productive.
So, what do I understand
- Many people believe that boredom is anti-creative, as it implies doing something repeatedly without stretching oneself.
- Stillness is often confused with boredom, but it’s an objective description of being in a moment of nothingness.
- Stillness is beneficial for creativity, as it allows people to be mentally active while being still.
- Boredom can be a precursor to creativity because it can lead to new and fresh ideas that wouldn’t have come up if one was too busy or distracted.
- People often fall into patterns of thinking when they’re under pressure to produce creative work. Building in moments of quietness and stillness can help break this pattern.
- Allowing the subconscious and unconscious parts of the brain to connect dots in new ways can result in the most fertile and creative ideas.
- Practicing stillness can help people achieve float, a state of being in the moment where time drifts away and one is connected to what they’re doing.
While boredom might seem anti-creative, stillness is a valuable tool for unlocking creativity. By building in moments of quietness and allowing the subconscious and unconscious mind to connect new dots, individuals can break away from patterns of thinking and open up to new and more fertile ideas.
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Until next time Happy reading! Cheers, EdN
