Bored? Here’s Why That’s Not a Bad Thing.

Ally Bremer
Jun 5
4 min read

Let me guess, you or your kid just said the words every parent dreads hearing on a slow afternoon—“I’m sooooo bored.” Cue the dramatic sigh, the flopping onto furniture, the wild search for stimulation like a screen, a snack, something, anything. And if you’re the adult in this situation, you might feel the pressure to jump into cruise director mode and fix it. Fast. But what if I said boredom isn't the enemy? In fact, boredom is kind of amazing. It’s one of the most misunderstood, and underappreciated, states of mind we have. So before you rush to fill every empty minute with another activity, snack, app, or distraction, let’s take a closer look at boredom. What is it? Why does it matter? And how can we deal with it in a healthy way (without downloading another game or refreshing social media for the 12th time)?

Boredom isn’t just “having nothing to do.” It’s more like a feeling of restlessness without direction. It’s when your brain is craving stimulation, but nothing around you seems satisfying or engaging. Some experts describe boredom as an “uncomfortable state of wanting something meaningful to do but not knowing what that is.” It can show up as:

Feeling irritated or impatient
A desire to scroll, snack, fidget, or escape
Trouble focusing on anything
That weird foggy feeling where time moves slowly

Sound familiar? Boredom is actually a signal, similar to hunger or fatigue. Boredom tells us something’s missing. But here’s the twist: it’s not always missing from the outside world. Sometimes, it’s something inside us asking for attention. Boredom isn’t just something to survive, it’s something to use. Here’s what boredom can actually do for us:

1. It fuels creativity - Some of the most creative ideas pop up after a period of boredom. Why? Because when your brain isn’t bombarded with information, it starts connecting the dots in new ways. That’s when imaginary games, doodles, inventions, or weird-but-wonderful thoughts start showing up. Ever wonder why kids build forts out of couch cushions or invent complicated games with made-up rules when they’re bored? That’s the brain doing its thing.

2. It teaches problem-solving - Boredom forces us to get resourceful. “There’s nothing to do!” often leads to “Hmm, what can I do?” That mental leap is golden. It’s where kids learn initiative, and where adults remember they actually like reading, journaling, building, cooking, or just staring out the window (yes, that counts too).

3. It supports emotional growth - When we’re constantly stimulated, we avoid sitting with our thoughts. Boredom invites us to slow down and feel. That might sound uncomfortable, but it’s actually healthy. Boredom can reveal what we’re avoiding, or what we miss, crave, or need to change.

4. It gives the brain a break - Think of boredom like rest for your mental muscles. Your brain processes a lot all day, especially in our screen-heavy, fast-paced world. Those “blank space” moments help with memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and even better sleep.

So…should we just sit in silence all day? Not quite. I'm not saying you or your child should stare at a wall for hours. Although, 5 minutes of that isn’t the worst idea. What I am saying is that we don’t need to fear boredom or rush to fix it. We can reframe it, use it, and even embrace it, a little like a yoga stretch for your brain. Below are some tips for how to cope with boredom.

1. Name it - Say it out loud. “Wow, I’m feeling really bored right now.” That tiny act of naming the emotion takes away some of its power and gives you a little distance to choose your next move intentionally.

2. Pause before you “plug in” - The instinct to reach for a screen is strong. We’ve all been there. Try waiting 5–10 minutes first. See if something else bubbles up, an idea, a feeling, a project you forgot about. You might be surprised.

3. Keep a “Boredom Menu” - Create a list of screen-free ideas they (or you) can do when boredom strikes. Post it somewhere visible. Keep it flexible and fun, think “draw with eyes closed” or “build something out of recycling” or “make up a dance in your socks.”

4. Encourage daydreaming- Let minds wander. Some of the best creativity happens when we let ourselves drift. If you’re an adult, this might mean not swooping in with 18 suggestions the second a kid says they’re bored. Give it a beat.

5. Make boredom a “check-in” moment - Ask yourself: Am I bored, or just tired? Anxious? Hungry? Overstimulated? Sometimes boredom is actually masking something else, and getting curious helps.

If your child is always bored, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It’s actually a chance for growth. When we let kids experience boredom, and coach them through it without rescuing them, they develop internal motivation, creativity, and resilience. So instead of jumping to entertain, try saying something like:

“That’s okay. Being bored is part of the day sometimes.”
“I trust you’ll figure out something.”
“Want to brainstorm some ideas together?”

Over time, they’ll start relying less on external stimulation and more on their own imagination and initiative.

In a world that values constant productivity and entertainment, boredom can feel like a glitch in the system. But really, it’s a pause. A space. A mental exhale. And sometimes, it’s the doorway to something pretty amazing. Whether that’s a breakthrough idea, a moment of calm, or just realizing you’re okay being alone with your thoughts for a bit. So the next time you or your kid says, “I’m bored,” try this: Smile. Take a breath. And say, “Cool. Let’s see where it leads.”