Defining Boredom
I wonder sometimes, why do we become bored? Sure, it’s going to hit you at some time and of course there are many contributors to the detail called boredom.
What triggers boredom and how can you avoid it?
I think its all Psychological and a question you might ask yourself is – am I just in a place where I have to go to relax and what is relaxation anyway?
Can you be relaxed and bored at the same time?
If you're like me, the answer is probably never. Relaxation and boredom do not happen at the same time. Boredom only occurs when your brain needs to be energetic and it would like to do something, but you can’t motivate yourself and/or you don't have anything to actually do.
This has happened to me over the past three years. My brain needs a challenge from the same things going on in my life. I can’t do groundhog days!
You become lazy, because of the boredom and it goes round and round cyclically. The boredom increases laziness and vice versa. The only way to break these life events is "get your mojo going again" and create extra energy, don’t lay down and give in to the boredom. Yeah Baby!
I need to be busy - my surroundings must have a focus; (remember that purpose, I spoke about in an earlier blog?)
Here is an example – you plan a holiday and you know your going to be bored in the airport, you have to go through routines which are necessary but boring.
There is so much. After the checks through customs, that it’s often overwhelming, leading you to withdraw, disengage, or spend money, feel down about spending but deep down you feel bored.
Until you get on the plane and relax for two or four or more hours and then relaxing means having some entertainment, a drink or and something to eat before you land and have to get to the resort and then it’s boring time again.
Then you achieve holiday energy and get relaxation and motivation to enjoy yourself away from the daily issues and events of work and domestic life.
Mind-Wandering
Trying to overcome boredom' while your mind wanders away is nearly impossible. In fact, mind-wandering actually increases boredom. Your mind is wandering due to the fact of being bored and the less control you have over a situation, the greater the likelihood of boredom.
How to Overcome Feeling Bored
If you feel like me. If you can relate to any of the above. Don't worry about it. Here is what you do.
Get your mojo back and and reignite some inner creativity - balancing both sides of your brain is difficult - logic and power to work out things occurs on the left side of your brain and creativity and emotions are on the right, if they don't balance then the outcome is restlessness and an unsatisfied you!
In easy terms your boredom may result from overusing your logical left brain hemisphere and under-using your creative, emotional right brain hemisphere. When you do not balance the use of both hemispheres, you can feel restless and dissatisfied with life.
POEM
Brain Balancing
To the left, to the left, for five whole days
Time passes by.
To the right, to the right, am anxious and grey
Why, oh why, oh why!
Working, working, working on a summer day.
Hoping, hoping, hoping. something more will come my way.
I got to books read and a a brain to feed, gotta try, try, try!
To the left, to the left, for two more days,
Weekend comes along.
To the right, to the right,
I hear me sing this song
Not working, but chilling, Mr Rightside will win the day
Knowing , knowing, knowing, how to keep the blues away
Take a tip from one who knows, exactly how boredom grows,
Make those lists of great ideas, to drive away the boredom fears.
To the left, to the left, weekend's done,
Five more days again.
To the right, to the right, you think you've won-
It's five O' clock again.
Wishing, wishing, wishing, my mind will win the day
Feeling, feeling, feeling, I've found my ideal day
Take a tip from one who knows exactly how your mind ebbs and flows,
Keep going with new ideas and keep on top of those boredom fears.
End Note: Believe it or not, it's actually possible to be creative at work! Whether you work from home or as a bank teller or a shoe salesman, you can brainstorm innovative ideas to improve your workplace. I did this again this weekend and feel I achieved something at the weekend. Now I am ready for those five days of work - and that, plus keeping the house organised and tidy is great way to overcome boredom.