Benefits Of Boredom
The Italians call it: “il dolce far niente”— the sweetness of doing nothing. For most of us, the closest we get to that saying is “just killing time.”
And that’s sad. Because boredom is good for us in many ways. I know the Amish saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And it’s true…without self-control, too much boredom can lead us into bad patterns of thinking and behavior.
But the lost art of boredom has been detrimental to our kids. A generation of those raised on iPads and cell phones has led to a lack of creativity and ingenuity, and has heightened mental health issues. Worst of all, our inability to be bored has hurt our spiritual thirst and walk with God.
Boredom improves attention and focus. I’ve learned that children diagnosed with ADHD do better when they are not continually entertained. Teaching the skill of mental self-discipline in quietness improves a child’s mental health. It does for us as well.
Boredom builds creativity. Giving the mind a break forces it to seek novelty, which is the essence of creativity. An employer was asked why he kept a worker on who was staring out the window for a long period of time. He responded, “Because the last time he did that, he came up with a plan that made us several million dollars!”
Boredom initiates lofty goals. I heard years ago, and have since often repeated, “Working minds seek rest; rested minds seek work.” When the brain is given a break, it looks for ways to produce in the future. Much of what our church is doing today came out of extended times of solace when I was forcing my mind to take a break.
Boredom frees receptors for God’s voice. In the chaos of life and busyness of our days, it would be nearly impossible to sense when or how God is leading. That takes focused times of stillness. I’ve learned to include solitude in my morning time with God. Sitting in silence for 10 minutes has now become a cherished part of my morning routine. It’s during times of solitude where my communion with God is strongest. God tends to speak in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12), which is normally only sensed when our minds are quiet.
I encourage you: learn to seek a bit of boredom in your routine. Parents, gift your children the benefits of boredom. Life is enjoyed most with an appropriate balance of hard work mixed with times of boredom.