My New Go-To Response to ‘I’m Bored’

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So, my little buddy, Max, recently discovered the phrase “I’m bored.” Honestly, it sent a shiver down my spine. I thought I had more time before boredom entered his world (I mean, he’s still perfectly content rearranging his toy cars!). But there it was: “Mom, I’m bored.” After the first few hundred times he said it, I instinctively tried to help him out. I reminded him about his countless toys, his stack of books, or suggested playing with his sister. Or, like my own mom used to do, I even threatened him with chores!

A few months ago, I decided to challenge myself to a screen-free weekend. Let me tell you, it was tougher than I expected! By the end of those three days, I felt something I hadn’t in years: boredom. Ever since I got my first smartphone, I’ve been filling every spare moment with quick glances at my phone—whether it’s scrolling through social media or checking the time. Coincidentally, I’ve also been lamenting my creativity (which I often blame on having kids and zero free time).

Then I stumbled upon “Bored and Brilliant,” a challenge on WNYC. The host, Jenna Thompson, pointed out that boredom can actually spark creativity. By not immediately seeking stimulation when boredom strikes, we open ourselves up to new ideas. It turns out boredom doesn’t stem from a lack of things to do—it’s more about the clash between what we want and what we have. According to psychologist John Eastwood, boredom arises when our minds aren’t engaged with the world around us. Dr. Lisa Harmon from the University of California even found that creative professionals often credit their most innovative ideas to moments of boredom.

In America, we seem to dread boredom. We equate it with laziness or a failure to be productive, and when Max shuffles around the house saying, “I’m bored,” my first instinct is to jump into action and offer suggestions. However, after my boredom challenge, I had a revelation. Now, when Max says he’s bored, I simply respond, “It’s perfectly fine to be bored.”

Initially, he protested. “No way! It’s not okay to be bored!” he exclaimed, already influenced by society’s constant push for productivity. I calmly replied, “Yes, it is,” and carried on with my day, letting him figure it out. The other day, he ended up building a “time machine” out of cardboard and markers (I guess he got some creative genes!). When he was done, he lounged on the couch, gazing out the window, and I didn’t nudge him to read or draw. Instead, I tucked my phone away and joined him, because guess what? It’s really okay to be bored.

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Summary

Embracing boredom can lead to creativity and personal growth. Instead of rushing to fill the silence when kids express boredom, let them explore their own imaginative solutions. It’s essential to recognize that moments of boredom are valuable and can inspire innovative ideas.