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Jun 26, 2023Edited
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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for the kind words Brian, I really appreciate it.

And I checked out the Louis C.K clip and I think it is right on topic.

I loved his line — “You need to build an ability to just be yourself and not be doing something. That’s what the phones are taking away; the ability to just sit there.” —- that sums it up wonderfully. We are always distracting ourselves, from just sitting and being with ourselves.

And by the way, I must say I’m glad my post would remind you of something Louis C.K said that definitely made me smile - so thanks for taking the time to comment.

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Vishwa's avatar

Feels like boredom was so much easier to come by in his time. With the modern content consumption library (TikTok, Reels, even YouTube I'd say) being shorter, on-demand, and universally accessible, there's unlimited potential to consume. That means we have to create space to be bored and wonder.

There's probably an interesting relationship between information accessibility and wonderment/exploration. I'm curious if it's something like a bell curve — the extreme ends don't inspire much; you need some interaction and ideas to spark things in your brain, but with information overload your brain doesn't catch a break. And the middle is the sweet spot — a balance.

I'd love to figure that out actually, since these days you basically have to craft that spot for yourself, it feels like — whether that's through what you read/watch, who your friends are, what you do.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Yeah I agree Vishwa, I think with the entertainment overload of today’s society it is a lot harder to carve out that time to just be bored enough to let the mind wonder.

I try to make some time where I go for walks (without my phone) where I stop and sit on park benches and just watch the world go by - that’s one way I create some bored/wondering time.

But I also agree with you that finding a balance is a good where possible.

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Evelyn Fox's avatar

This is so cool! And I completely agree that being bored is very necessary, especially as a writer.

Very funny and interesting piece. It’s always a pleasure to see what curiosities come from the platypus.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you Evelyn! I really appreciate that.

Yes as writers its seems that getting bored enough to let those new ideas come in is an imperative.

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Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Ah!!! This was such a wonderful read!!! I found myself saying, “Absofuckinglutely!!” maaaaany times throughout this piece. I’m a huge proponent of child like awe and wonder. It cultivates so much magic in life and living.

“By running from boredom, we are implicitly acknowledging that our imagination, our curiosity, and our inquisitiveness is not sufficient to entertain us. That to entertain ourselves we must escape ourselves.”

Just beautiful.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you for such kind words Jenovia, it really means a lot.

And yes I definitely feel like connecting to our child-like wonder however possible is such a valuable thing to do.

Also thank you for quoting those two sentences in your comment, as a writer it is so lovely when someone points out a specific passage that you wrote.

P.S - I have to say, I love the term “Absofuckinglutely”

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Donna McArthur's avatar

'No matter what form of escapism we choose - that shit never ends well.' This is so true and our culture is now bred on escapism of every kind. You should be shouting this excellent message from the rooftops Michael. A slow lived lifestyle and boredom go hand in hand to some degree, and it's a lovely thing.

Thanks so much for this excellent article.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you Donna for such kind words, I really appreciate it.

Yes, there are so many different ways we can escape from ourselves these days, and it seems that doing so is becoming the norm, which is why I feel it can be helpful to try carve out some time to just slow down and be bored/let the mind wonder.

Also thank you so much for quoting me in your comment, it is always so lovely to see when a specific bit of my work resonated with someone.

Thanks again Donna :)

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Carlo's avatar

Noice read.

Ah yes boredom the cause of many a bad decision.

When I was a child I rarely got bored cause I would use my imagination.

As I became a teenager and in my early 20s boredom would get me.

That’s where a lot of bad decisions were made 😊.

In my late twenties and 30s

I was to busy to get bored what with a wife, children , mortgage, working usually 60 hours or more a week. Boredom wasn’t thought of.

As I grew older and wiser 🧐 hopefully.

I learnt to meditate this helped but not completely.

Then I learnt to be with it. Just sit and be with the boredom it actually became my friend, it meant things were going good and I was on top of everything.

So I learnt not to fight it.

Having a passion for something helps.

Big problem with the world we’ve forgotten how to sit and be.

After all we are Human beings not Humans doing.

Once again a very enjoyable read Michael.

Don’t be to late for dinner 😊

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks Dad!

This is a very thoughtful and in-depth comment. It’s interesting to hear how the way you have met boredom has changed throughout the course of your life.

And I agree completely, learning how to just sit and be is a very valuable thing indeed.

P.S - dinner was yummy!

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Emmett's avatar

Yep Bravo Michael - in a world that celebrates the 'Doing' - that achievement is all important, we forget about the 'Being' - the nurturing of our innate 'creative essence' - which requires of us to sit still, to shut up and ponder.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for the comment Emmett I really appreciate it.

And I totally agree. There is so much emphasis placed on being productive and achieving things that many of us (myself included) get caught up in that story and it blinds us from all the value there is in just stopping to ponder.

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Renee Mureithi's avatar

I love the premise that wonder is the flip side of boredom... it’s funny, I have a lot of my best ideas when travelling long distance through airports. It’s one of those times that I really switch off and let my mind wander(/wonder). By the time I get to my destination I’ve solved problems, become inspired, and come up with ideas to entertain me for months!

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks Renee, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment.

And yes I totally agree there is something about switching off from the ‘doing mode’ and letting your mind just wander that really seems to help with problem solving, and the inspiration of new ideas.

I try connect to this state when I go for long walks.

Thanks again for the comment :)

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Maybe it will all be fine's avatar

Great piece.

Any time one of my three kids whines "I'm boooored" I use my stock response "That must be nice! I haven't been bored since (insert said child's date of birth)" and leave them to it.

Tom Hodgkinson's excellent book 'How to be Idle' explores this idea in depth and has led to a whole idler movement in the UK (idler.co.uk)

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it.

Hahaha that is a wonderfully witty response to give your kids, I remember back in the day my mum would say something similar.

Ohh wow that’s super interesting - I did not know that. I’m going to have to check out the book and the idler movement. Thanks

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for sharing my piece Tre! I really appreciate it

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Simon Sørheim's avatar

You always write so well about ideas that are barely formed in my mind.

I just came home from 10 days camping in the forest with 2 dogs. For the first 4 these days the weather was so bad I was either either in my hammock or sitting under a canopy. In the beginning I went nuts, doom scrolling instagram, checking work emails...heck, it was so bad I even scrolled facebook. But then my mind slowly ground to a halt and I could just sit there enjoying my coffee and the rain. By the end I barely opened my book. But here's the thing, it is very difficult to tell anyone about this, that I enjoyed sitting for hours watching the clouds and the rain. For I can only imagine the embarrassed horror and disgust that I didn't spend my time more productively.

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Simon Sørheim's avatar

You always write so well about ideas that are barely formed in my mind.

I just came home from 10 days camping in the forest with 2 dogs. For the first 4 these days the weather was so bad I was either either in my hammock or sitting under a canopy. In the beginning I went nuts, doom scrolling instagram, checking work emails...heck, it was so bad I even scrolled facebook. But then my mind slowly ground to a halt and I could just sit there enjoying my coffee and the rain. By the end I barely opened my book. But here's the thing, it is very difficult to tell anyone about this, that I enjoyed sitting for hours watching the clouds and the rain. For I can only imagine the embarrassed horror and disgust that I didn't spend my time more productively.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you Poodle Chef for such kind words.

Your story of going camping is such an interesting example of what I was trying to convey. Because yes, we have to keep it on the down low as the productivity police don’t like people talking about it, but if we can just pull ourselves away from the constant go go go, then I think many of us can become really comfy just watching the clouds and the rain.

And by the way — “heck, it was so bad I even scrolled Facebook” — made me laugh out loud.

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Simon Sørheim's avatar

Such a great piece with good reflections, you must have been really really bored

I often feel like our minds are great deep oceans and you can either choose to sit on a raft bobbing on the waves staring at your phone, or you can choose to journey into the vast undiscovered depths and who knows what you may find

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahaha yes, I think was fantastically bored.

I couldn’t agree more Simon, there is so much to explore in those depths and I feel boredom is a doorway into what lurks below.

Thanks for reading and commenting :)

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Simon Sørheim's avatar

Michael, I need you to know that I am not stalking you, I actually came back and read this piece again (and also decided to comment again with some new reflections)..dont call the police...yet :)

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahaha thanks Simon, and I’m honoured you’d read one of my pieces more than once... so, I’ll hold off on the police calls for now haha :)

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April Whalley's avatar

Great piece Michael, exactly what we were discussing on your other post. This should be taught in schools. Instead of droning on and kids feeling bored but being forced to engage with something that doesn't interest them. How about a lesson where you are allowed to stare out of the window ha ha - asked to sit and doodle and list any random thoughts that come up! I volunteer in a charity for kids who are somewhere on the spectrum of autism - I am in training as a Dungeon Master for Dungeons and Dragons. I notice how hard it is to get young people to put phones down now. Attention span is really short because entertainment is instant. Btw - Walden is a favourite of mine! Plus .. ants, I mean what's not to LOVE about ants (Don't look at Antscanada on Youtube because you may never get out)...

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Michael Edward's avatar

Yes, I love that idea April! Get kids to step through boredom into what their excited about, instead of forcing them through boring work they find no interest in.

Yeah it certainly seems that the instant access to entertainment hasn’t actually helped people connect with the positive side of boredom. Walden was so good!

And his tale of the ants was one of my favourite parts.

I’m about to check out your boring quiz piece now :)

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