The Lost Art of Doing Nothing

Boredom is uncomfortable. It’s uncomfortable because we rarely sit with the feeling. Unlike our ancestors who naturally experienced long stretches of low stimulation, we immediately reach for our phones at the first hint of mental emptiness.

The paradox of our digital age is that we are more restless, less able to focus and paradoxically more bored than ever, while we have unlimited access to social media, news, apps and entertainment.

From a brain science perspective, boredom is crucial to activating what’s known as the default mode network activation. DMN is like autopilot for our brains. It engages when you are not focused on the outside world. During these moments, your mind is allowed to wander. You are able to reflect on your life, relationships, and past experiences. This network effect is crucial for creativity, self-awareness, and problem solving. It is ironic that the very technology designed and sold to increase our productivity is actually eating away at it.

When I was first learning how to program, I would spend HOURS trying to brute force a solution. Yet, I could take a shower and minutes later have 10 new solutions to try that solved the issue. This was DMN in action!

I wrote this essay as a reminder that boredom is a vital part of the human experience. I hope it is a good reminder for you as well. May you have ample space and time to just be bored today.