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By Wayne Weiner, D.Ed.
Let me be clear: I’ve been bored. I mean, spectacularly, excruciatingly bored. I’ve read the shampoo bottle in the shower—twice. I’ve watched paint dry and given it a Yelp review. I’ve named the squirrels in my backyard and given them personality tests.
Boredom, that cruel, sluggish cousin of despair, creeps in not just on rainy afternoons but sometimes right in the middle of a Zoom meeting where someone says, “Let’s revisit the action items from last week.” (Cue internal screaming.)
So, what is boredom really?
Psychologists define boredom as “the aversive experience of wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity.” Translation: your brain is ready to party, but life sent the DJ home early. Dr. John Eastwood, a researcher at York University, said that boredom comes when we’re left with too much attention and nowhere meaningful to direct it. It’s like being all dressed up with nowhere to scroll.
Some experts even say boredom is good for you. It’s the brain’s way of nudging you toward growth, creativity, or—let’s be honest—at least doing something.
So, what do I do when I’m bored?
I write. Not always about lofty themes. Sometimes it’s about squirrels named Carl who believe they’re in a Broadway musical. I once alphabetized my spice rack, only to realize I had six jars of paprika and no oregano. I’ve walked into a room, forgotten why I was there, and stayed just to see if anything interesting would happen (spoiler: it didn’t).
I also like to call old friends and ask deep philosophical questions like, “If boredom were a sandwich, what kind would it be?” (The answer, in case you’re wondering, is cold meatloaf on stale white bread.)
What can you do about it?
- Give your boredom a job.
Instead of fighting it, use it. Let it drive you to start something—paint, write, volunteer, organize your sock drawer by emotional support level. - Change your scenery.
Move. Even if it’s just to the other side of the couch. Preferably without snacks sliding off your lap. - Call someone more bored than you.
Odds are, they’ll thank you for the distraction. Or they’ll fake a bad connection—either way, it’s a win. - Do something ridiculous on purpose.
Put on a tie to take out the trash. Practice your Oscar speech in the mirror. Speak in rhymes for an hour. This is your circus.
As I often say,
“Boredom is just your brain sending a ‘low battery’ signal. Plug it into something—anything—or you’ll end up naming lint balls for entertainment.” — Wayne Weiner, D.Ed.
Final Thoughts
Being bored isn’t a sign that your life lacks meaning. It just means your brain is ready for a snack, and it’s out of potato chips. So feed it with curiosity, creativity, or a nap. Preferably not all at once.
About the Author
Wayne Weiner, D.Ed., is an author, philosopher, and worldwide consultant known for his innovative coaching actions. He was the Director of Education at Harvard Teaching Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He later established a consulting firm that provided services to the federal government, universities, international corporations, and a White House cabinet member. For the past ten years, he has served as Senior Leadership Consultant to the National Institutes of Health. He has written 20 novels and probably would’ve written 30 by now if he hadn’t been briefly sidetracked by squirrel theater.
Visit him at: https://drweinerinsights.com
Disclaimer:
All opinions, absurdities, and philosophical ponderings are my own and do not reflect the views of the NIH, Harvard, Dartmouth, or the International Squirrel Naming Commission.
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