Why Boredom Can Be a Good Thing

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Let’s talk about boredom. Yep, that uncomfortable feeling we’re all quick to chase away with a scroll through our social media feed or a quick round of video games. For most of my life, I thought boredom was a bad thing. A waste of time. A signal that I wasn’t doing enough. But as I’ve leaned into slow living, I’ve realized something surprising: boredom can actually be a good thing.

I know, I know boredom has some seriously negative connotations. We treat it like a risk factor for laziness or unhappiness. We fill every spare minute with stimulation from our phones, podcasts, TV shows, or to-do lists. But what if boredom is actually a valuable opportunity to slow down and reconnect with our creative side?

The Psychology of Boredom

Researchers like Sandi Mann, author of The Upside of Downtime, and John D. Eastwood from York University have studied the benefits of boredom extensively. Boredom happens when there’s a lack of stimulation, when we’re not being challenged or entertained. It’s a normal part of life, especially in our day-to-day life filled with mundane activities and responsibilities. But here’s where it gets interesting: when we allow ourselves to experience boredom, our mind begins to wander.

And that’s where the magic happens.

When our brains aren’t occupied with constant stimulation, they’re free to engage in purposefully tranquil activities, like daydreaming, doodling, walking a familiar route, or staring out the window of a long car ride. It might feel like “doing nothing,” but in those moments, our cognitive resources start to refill, and creative muscles get stretched. In fact, James Danckert, a researcher at the University of Waterloo, suggests that boredom may push us toward new goals and innovative ideas that we wouldn’t otherwise consider.

Boredom Fuels Creative Thinking

Our brains are wired to solve problems. So when we’re bored, the default mode network kicks in. This part of the brain helps us find creative solutions, reflect on our personal goals, and connect the dots in new ways. It’s the same mental space where those lightbulb “a-ha” moments come from.

One study from the University of Southern California and another from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that true boredom, without distractions, can boost cognitive resources, improve problem-solving skills, and lead to innovative ideas. I don’t know about you, but I’d take more of that, please.

Let Yourself Daydream

And here’s where it gets dreamy, literally. When we allow our minds to drift, we often land in that lovely in-between place known as daydreaming.

Remember when you used to stare out the window during school, completely lost in thought? Maybe you imagined yourself flying, starting a business, or living in an off-grid cabin surrounded by pine trees. As adults, we’ve traded most of that imaginative space for alerts, emails, and never-ending to-do lists. But daydreaming is one of the most powerful ways to access our creative muscles.

According to psychologists, daydreaming taps into the default mode network, just like boredom does. It strengthens our ability to envision new things, stretch our imagination, and escape the status quo, all without lifting a finger. It’s how we stumble onto new interests, creative tasks, and often, our best ideas.

Embracing Unstructured Time

Feeling of boredom? That might just be your brain nudging you toward something new.  We often resist boredom because it makes us feel like we’re doing something wrong. But in reality, a little unstructured time is deeply nourishing. Think about kids. We rush to fill their days with activities, but some of the best new ideas, creative play, and self-control skills come when they’re simply allowed to be. Kids’ mental health actually benefits from time to be bored!

The same goes for us adults. Unstructured time, whether it’s in a waiting room, on a long car ride, or in an off-grid cabin, can bring us back to the present moment. It reminds us that personal growth doesn’t always happen through doing more, but through allowing more space.

Embracing Boredom in a Hyper-Stimulated World

Let’s be real. Young people today are up against an overwhelming amount of outside stimulation. Between apps, games, videos, and endless scrolling, it’s hard to ever feel “bored.” But too much stimulation can lead to negative consequences like anxiety, poor focus, and even substance use. By embracing moments of stillness, even in a tedious meeting or doctor’s office, we allow the mind to reset.

Instead of filling every free moment with input, try carving out unstructured time. Step away from the status quo. Go off-grid (even if just mentally) and create your own purposefully tranquil activity. Pick up some art supplies, walk to your mailbox without earbuds, or sit quietly on your porch. It doesn’t take much to let your mind wander and your creative side stretch its wings.

Boredom and Personal Development

From a personal development perspective, boredom can help us reassess what we want from daily life. It opens the door to trying new things, starting a new project, or seeing old problems from new angles. A little bit of boredom gives us space to notice the important things we’ve been ignoring in the hustle of everyday life.

Whether it’s thinking of small projects you’ve been putting off or finally having enough time to reflect on personal goals, boredom reminds us to be present.

True boredom can feel like mental fatigue. But if we can sit with it instead of rushing to eliminate it, we might uncover creative solutions, discover better relationships with ourselves, and unlock new experiences. This doesn’t mean boredom is always easy or enjoyable, but it is meaningful.

My Experience with Boredom

There was a day not too long ago when I sat outside, just watching my chickens free range. I didn’t check my phone. I didn’t bring a book. I didn’t even plan to meditate. I just let myself be. At first, it felt strange, like I was wasting my time. Like I should be doing something productive. I kept reaching for my phone that wasn’t there.

But then… something shifted. My mind wandered to a new project idea, a creative task I’d been stuck on suddenly had new angles, and the flood gates of possibilities opened.  All from just sitting with the discomfort.

The next time you feel that tug of boredom, I encourage you not to reach for an electronic device right away. Instead, try grabbing some coloring pages, going for a walk on a familiar route, or even just staring out the window. Let yourself lean into the surprising benefits of doing… nothing.

Sandi Mann even found that participants asked to do boring tasks like copying phone numbers came up with more creative ideas afterward than those who didn’t.

Let’s stop treating boredom like a waste of time and start seeing it as the creative studio it truly is. Sure, mental fatigue and overstimulation are real, especially in the United States, where we glorify hustle and productivity. But boredom can be a gentle rebellion against that. A purposeful act of slowness. A comfort zone worth visiting.

Bottom Line

So if you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or like you don’t have enough time, consider whether what you really need is a little boredom. Not to escape from it, but to embrace it. Because sometimes, the most interesting things happen when we let ourselves just… be.

So go ahead and embrace a little boredom. Let your mind wander. Who knows what beautiful, interesting things might come of it?

What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

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