Where Has the Boredom Gone?
I’ll try not to go off on a ‘good ol’ days’, Boomer rant. Because I love the instantaneous accessibility to every bit of information, the myriad of entertainment selections – the ease of our modern day world. But you have to admit, with everything gained, things have been lost too (turns out, you really can’t have it all).
When was the last time you were bored? I mean a time you didn’t quash the feeling by grabbing your phone, or turning on the TV. I’m talking a real, ‘what do I do now?’ quandary? Hey, I’m not preaching here – I can’t remember how long it’s been for me, either.
Well, maybe I do. In the beginning of the pandemic, when we were terrified of being close to people, I started walking. A mile to two miles a day, just to stay sane. You know what I rediscovered? Nature. I walked the same couple of routes, but it never got boring, because things changed as the year passed. Cactus bloomed. The mini-horses got winter coats. The sun slanted at a different angle. I noticed things. Everyday things that I wouldn’t have noticed if my mind was occupied elsewhere.
My husband is a motorcycle fanatic. We spent every vacation and most weekends riding. Back before I got the bug and bought my own bike, I rode pillion. Many, many, many miles. We lived in Southern California. To get just about anywhere from there, you have to go through desert. I know, deserts have their own beauty. But after miles and miles of miles and miles, you get bored. I used to prop a paperback on his back and read. But you can only read for so long.
I was bored.
Funny thing about the human brain; it doesn’t stop thinking when it’s not engaged. It cannot stay bored. When I ran out of song lyrics to remember, and memories to recount, it kept at it. Random thoughts, things I saw, and felt c0alesced. Into a story. The nebulous became concrete. I had a plot for a book! The longer I thought, the more possible it seemed to write it.
You know the rest of the story – as of next April, I’ll have 14 books published, and I’m working on the next. Boredom gave me a second career, and enriched my life in SO many ways. People have told my my writing touched them.
Creativity doesn’t exist in a crazy-busy world. It comes, I believe, from being bored. When you think, what now? What would be fun to do? We keep our kids so busy, with lessons and practice and…
What will happen to art and creativity in the ten generations?
I’d love to hear what you think in the comments!
I love that I’m never bored, and haven’t been for many years, but I never had a reason for it. I think our kind of creativity also comes from not being able to sleep, which is much the same thing, isn’t it? I enjoyed this!
Sad, but true, Liz! Thanks for reading…
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between boredom and frustration. Maybe they’re the same or go hand-in-hand. 14 books publised is quite an accomplishment. Congratulation!
Thanks, Karen. The only time I have frustration at the same time as boredom is when I have a chore to do that I don’t want to – but nothing else to do!
I have said many times that I’m easily entertained. But not in the conventional way that others are entertained these days. Oh sure, I enjoy accessing electronic info on my phone or my computer or my television. I find people watching more entertaining. I do it on the beach, hiding behind the safety of dark sunglasses. I do it in a restaurant when it’s easy to catch snatches of conversations. But I LOVE people watching in a car sitting in a parking lot when no one notices you sitting there. And it’s all good for developing characters when I sit down to write.
This! Exactly, Beverly – I think authors are better ‘noticers’ than othes.
Great post. We’ll written. Thought provoking. Sometimes I call “excuse making” boredom. Not really.
I’ve been studying good blog posts in order to learn how to do them properly.
Thanks, Laura.
Thanks for reading, Winona. Just set down your unique (and hopefully interesting) thoughts!
Enforced stillness prods the busy brain into new forays of imagination. Perhaps the creative brain can always find a fascinating train of thought to climb aboard. And when it pulls up a pad and pen or a computer and starts describing the other passengers and the passing scenery the reader reaps the benefits. Bless you for having such convoluted train tracks.
Well said, Sand!
Excellent thoughts, as always. And I heartily agree. My own writing bug hit when I was a small town preteen sitting in front of my bedroom window watching the wind blow. It coated the world in good, red, cotton-field dust, and that led my mind in a million places, down a million new roads, and into a million wanna-be stories. So, here we are … rediscovering how wonderful it feels to be bored, just as you said. ❤️ Oh, and that’s also my walking trail, the one you described. But you know that, too! ❤️ Great post, old pal.
Yes, you and I have traveled the same roads – most dreamers do! Miss you, girl.
Too funny. First thing I saw was, “Where Has All the Bourbon Gone?”
Gonna be country western song of the year, for sure🤣😂
Wish I wrote lyrics – I’d steal that!