Estimated Reading Time 8 Minutes
Hey You! Welcome to The Vibrant Life Podcast! I’m your host, Emily Romrell, and today we’re exploring a universal experience that often gets a bad rap: boredom. Picture this – it’s a lazy afternoon, the clock is ticking slowly, and you find yourself staring at the ceiling, unsure of how to fill the time. Maybe you have so much going on that your brain shorts out for a while. So you avoid everything and boredom from the monotony of your routine sets in. It’s a mental state we’ve all encountered, and while it may seem mundane, boredom shapes our lives in surprising ways. We’ll go through it all.
First, though, I’d love to offer you two powerful companions on your journey to a more vibrant life. Po~Em’s, my poetry collection, invites you to immerse yourself in the beauty of language and emotion. And for those seeking to turn dreams into reality, The Vibrant Life Goal Planner is a thoughtful guide to setting and achieving your goals, fostering a life of purpose and fulfillment.
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Ok Peeps, let’s talk about boredom. Perhaps a good question to kick things off is, how active are you? Physics teaches us that an object in motion stays in motion. This is true not only for inanimate objects but in our personal lives as well. We need to be in motion to stay healthier physically and we also should be active in our mental and emotional day to day. By maintaining momentum and consistently taking part in experiences that challenge our minds and hearts, we can banish boredom from daily life. Whether we are pursuing hobbies, creating and achieving goals, or seeking new adventures, the key is to keep moving forward. Embracing this approach not only propels us toward our goals but also fills each day with purpose and excitement. Let’s use the force of momentum to keep progressing on our journey to a bright and vibrant life.
One powerful way to maintain momentum is by cultivating a sense of curiosity. Think back to your childhood, when the world was always waiting to be explored. We can rediscover our childlike wonder by approaching life with curiosity. Ask questions, seek new perspectives, and actively engage with your surroundings. This shift in perspective not only injects excitement into whatever task is at hand but also opens the door to a continuous stream of learning and discovery.
But just because you have momentum doesn’t mean you won’t meet resistance and difficulty. Obstacles are guaranteed in this life. This makes me think of Rocky, one of the all-time best characters in movie history. I love Rocky because he never gives up. That is his superpower. He refuses to be defeated. In one of the later movies, Rocky has one of the best speeches I’ve heard. He says, “You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” We all just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, but don’t look down. Enjoy the journey and the view along the way.
You know, boredom isn’t always negative. Some experts believe boredom is a catalyst for creativity and self-discovery. Psychologist Sandi Mann explores boredom in her book, The Upside of Downtime. She suggests that rather than dismissing boredom as an annoyance, we should recognize it as a signal from our brains to seek new experiences and break free from routine. Her perspective suggests that moments of boredom can lead to the changes we need to grow. So, the next time you find yourself in the doldrums, remember boredom isn’t just empty time to be filled, it’s an opportunity for growth and exploration.
Alain de Botton, an author and philosopher recognized for his observations on modern life, offers another perceptive insight. In his book, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, de Botton explores the difficulties of our modern lives. His investigation of boredom is central to his argument that our constant connection to technology, which consists of constant screen time and information overload, results in a paradoxical state of shallow engagement.
He goes on to say, “There is a longing for a return to a time when life was simpler, and there was an appreciation for the beauty found in the ordinary.” In the digital age, however, this simplicity often disappears as we succumb to the attraction of constant stimulation, impeding our ability to truly connect with our surroundings. I think there is something to this observation but like a lot of life, there’s more gray to it than black and white. Technology enhances our world in beautiful and incredible ways too. As I’ve said before, I’m all about the happy medium. But if you find yourself constantly in front of a screen, yeah, that is a problem and it will affect how your brain deals with challenges or just experiences life in general.
Together Mann and de Botton offer a nuanced picture of boredom, urging us to see it as a catalyst for imagination and innovation while cautioning against the shallow engagement resulting from continual stimulation. Their combined insights call for a more thoughtful response to boredom, supporting deliberate awareness in our lives.
In this episode, I want to encourage you to overcome boredom and breathe some vibrancy into your daily grind. So I came up with ten suggestions intended to boost your fun and fulfillment.
- Cultivate Hobbies:
Splash some excitement into your routine and dig into hobbies that genuinely spark your interest. It’s like tossing some lighter fluid on your campfire, breaking up the monotony and adding a bit more heat and fulfillment. - Make Time For Mindful Moments:
Ever tried the superhero move of being fully present? Mindfulness is the superpower against boredom. Whether you’re into meditation, deep breathing, or just soaking in the current moment, genuine interest and attention make boredom vanish faster than a magician can. - Sprinkle In Some Novelty:
Throw a surprise party for your routine. Shake things up a bit. Take a different route to work or give a new lunch spot a shot. Small changes are like sprinkles of fun, turning your daily grind into a lively dance. And c’mon, who doesn’t like sprinkles? - Learn Something:
Learning new stuff is a secret weapon against boredom. Dive into online courses, books, or classes. Not only will you become a knowledge ninja, but that sense of accomplishment you gain feels amazing. - Spend Time In Nature:
The great outdoors is the best reset button. Whether it’s a stroll in the park, a BBQ in the canyon with friends, or playing plant whisperer in your garden, nature is invigorating. It offers a relaxing change of pace and gives your day a refreshing, green makeover. - Connect with Others:
Life’s a party, and everyone’s invited. If you’re an introvert like me, then you may need to be choosy about how you spend your energy, and that’s ok. But even for introverts meaningful connections with friends, family, or other cool peeps turn ordinary moments into memorable adventures. It doesn’t matter if it’s short convos or deep heart-to-hearts – they all add spice to the daily mix. And that’s what being human is all about, right? We need each other. - Take A Digital Detox:
I kind of mentioned this earlier, but have you ever felt like screens were taking over? Taking breaks from digital overload is a great way to reclaim your time. Unplugging lets you soak in the real world, turning what might have been a screen-induced coma into truly vibrant living. - Find Creative Outlets:
Your soul needs a mic drop moment. Whether you love words, colors, or your dance moves are out of this world, expressing yourself creatively transforms boredom into a rock concert of emotions. Channel your creativity and every moment is a masterpiece waiting to happen. - Set Important Goals:
You may feel the urge to groan when goal setting is mentioned these days. I’m with you but try to hold it in. Goal setting can genuinely be fun. It doesn’t have to be the climb-Mount-Everest kind (unless you’re into that). Picture plugging in your goals like you plug in an address to GPS, the GPS of motivation. Having exciting and doable goals isn’t just a checklist; it’s like giving your day a theme or a purpose. Whether it’s conquering a work project or nailing a personal goal, having something to aim for transforms your routine into a meaningful journey where every milestone feels like a high-five to yourself. So, what’s the next destination on your personal adventure map? - Practice Gratitude:
Last is not least, it’s the game-changer most of us recognize but many of us need to implement better – gratitude. It’s not just one of those personal development words; practicing gratitude turns your daily life into a highlight reel. You remember all the good stuff. It’s imperative to celebrate the small wins, the big wins, tender moments, and little joys. Shifting your focus to the positive transforms your day from ordinary to extraordinary. So, let me ask you, what are you thankful for today? It could be as simple as a yummy morning bagel or a burst of sunshine. Gratitude – I think it might make the biggest difference of all.
So now that we have some good ideas on how to deal with boredom, let’s look at two people from history who teach us even more. First, Viktor Frankl, a famous psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, he addresses the idea that boredom often arises from a lack of a clear sense of purpose or meaningful endeavors. According to Frankl, committing to goals that are significant to us not only helps us avoid boredom, but doing so also infuses our idle moments with purpose and delight. Side note, that book is not big, I’m sure it’s under 200 pages but it’s a life changer. If you want help on how to look for the best in life read Man’s Search for Meaning.
Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, was renowned for his ideas on change. He said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” Heraclitus focuses on the perpetual flux of life, emphasizing the dynamic nature of human experience. Drawing from this, we are invited to embrace change in life. It’s not easy to do, I have a hard time with change. But if we can lean into it, we transform ordinary moments into a mosaic that helps us break free from boredom and appreciate the beauty in life.
These lessons from Viktor Frankl and Heraclitus teach us that a sense of meaning and an acceptance of change are potent tools against boredom. By working to define our purpose and embracing the transformation life is all about, we can create opportunities filled with more joy and satisfaction in our lives.
In closing, let’s flip the script on boredom. It’s not the enemy; it’s the instigator of creativity and growth. Momentum is our ally, obstacles are stepping stones, and a dash of curiosity keeps monotony at bay. Please use this podcast’s ten suggestions as an arsenal against boredom and as some pretty great keys for opening various doors to a vibrant life. Viktor Frankl and Heraclitus whisper to us that purpose and change are also important keys. So, enjoy the journey, defy the ordinary, and let’s all Live The Vibrant Life!
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