Being bored helps us be more creative. Read on for 4 ways you can use boredom to be more creative in 2019.

In a recent article on “It’s Nice That”, Kate Hollowood noted that in a world where we walk around all day with a computer in our pocket, we have eradicated boredness. We never have to be bored when we have Instagram, YouTube, Netflix or games all at our fingertips.

But being bored has its uses. “Being bored is a state of dissatisfaction with the neural stimulations you’re getting… You’re searching for more neural stimulation. If you can’t find that externally, you will find it internally, because our minds are always active.” In other words, being bored is key to spurring creativity.

But allowing ourselves to be bored is challenging when we live in a society that discourages us from ever being bored: “The idea that ‘only boring people get bored’ has modern society in its grip. We treat boredom as a personal failing and as a waste of life, rather than an important part of it”.

Here are 4 ways you can bring some boredom back into your day and creative opportunity for creativity:

1. Meditation – Meditation helps you learn the skill of relaxing your brain and “turning off” for a while to let yourself recharge and reconnect to creativity.
2. Waiting – Despite the fast-paced world we live in, we are required to wait on things every now and again. During this time, resist the urge to whip out your phone and instead look around you and let your mind wander.
3. Commute – Turn off the podcast, put down the book, and leave your phone in your pocket as you go to work. Whether you drive yourself or take public transport, take this time to observer your surroundings and don’t distract yourself with entertainment.
4. Repetitive chores – Turn washing the dishes or folding laundry into a time to boring time and see what your mind comes up with while your hands are busy with a rote task.

You can read the full article on It’s Nice That.