Why Boredom Might Be One of the Most Important Feelings We Ignore

In a world of constant notifications, short videos, and endless scrolling, boredom feels like something to escape at all costs. The moment it appears, we reach for our phones.

But boredom isn’t the enemy. It’s a signal.

When you’re bored, your brain is telling you that it wants something meaningful, not just stimulation. Studies have shown that boredom can actually increase creativity, problem-solving, and self-reflection. Many ideas don’t appear when we’re busy — they appear when we’re idle.

Think about it:

Your best ideas often come in the shower

Or while walking with no music

Or late at night when nothing is happening

That’s boredom doing its job.

When we constantly distract ourselves, we silence that internal voice. We consume instead of create. We react instead of think.

This doesn’t mean entertainment is bad — it means uninterrupted mental space is rare and valuable.

Next time you feel bored, try this:

Don’t open an app immediately

Sit with the feeling for a few minutes

Ask yourself: “What do I actually want to do right now?”

You might be surprised by the answer.

Sometimes boredom isn’t emptiness — it’s the doorway to something better.