Exploring Boredom: A Journey into Motivation, Meaning, and Modern Life
"I'm so bored..."
"Bars on the windows, bars on the doors, next thing you know there'll be bars on the floors."
I will never forget that elementary school chant, and I'm 82. All of us were so bored with school that we couldn't wait until three o'clock, when it was time to go home.
Then, there were times at home when my grandmother was looking after me because my mom was at work. I would tell Grandma how bored I felt. Or, Grandma, I have nothing to do. I didn't feel that all the time, but there were a few occasions. At those times, school was out for a holiday, and none of my friends were around. I remember even feeling bored with my toys. My grandma's response was unforgettable for me: "I'll order you a brass band!!" Another response was, "Go knock your head against the wall!!" Oh well. She came from an era when "children were to be seen and not heard."
Almost everyone experiences boredom, but it is one of the least well-understood aspects of human psychology. The book investigates this universal phenomenon, investigating what causes it, what causes it, and what it does to us. Written by James Danckert and John D. Eastwood, it delves into the science of and the need for boredom and takes readers on a curious odyssey. The authors present boredom as a window into human motivation, creativity, and self-awareness.
The book intermingles science, philosophy, and personal stories. Boredom, they say, sets in when there is a breakdown in the balance between our desire for meaningful engagement and the reality presented to us. It's not just the lack of things to do but the lack of connection to what we are doing. This realization might motivate us to find new goals, re-prioritize, and even steer us toward more meaningful work.
Boredom is a paradox of modern life. With unlimited forms of entertainment and distraction available at the push of a button or the wave of a hand, it would be a thing of the past. In reality, the writers explain how reliance on digital technology and the constant 24/7 news cycle worsen discontent and restlessness. Although these tools help to relieve boredom in the short term, they do not reach the visceral level that many prefer to feel when they seek stress relief.
"Out of My Skull" also considers how boredom becomes a major problem when it starts to feel inescapable. The authors explore its ties to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. They look at personality types, individual brain functions, and how they vary from person to person, providing insight into why some folks get bored more readily than others. This research emphasizes that boredom is not a straightforward feeling but a complex entanglement of cognitive, emotional, and social components.
It also dives into children's experiences with boredom, revealing why young minds have such a hard time with this feeling. For children, boredom should result from a poor fit between what their development requires and what they have available in the environment. Abundantly curious and eager to explore, kids thrive on novelty and stimulation. When their surroundings do not provide this, the impression of boredom follows closely. For example, if an activity is the same over and over again or too structured, they may not be engaged, and if they have no direction or purpose, they may get bored quickly.
Part of the struggle for children is getting them to learn self-regulation and emotional control. They're still learning to regulate emotions, pay attention, and interact with the world. In boring situations, they may find applying any novelty or relativity difficult. The book advises that raising children less prone to boredom is more important than ever by teaching patience, problem-solving, and creative thinking. To help them find meaning and satisfaction in a wider variety of experiences, encourage unstructured play, curiosity, and exploration of their interests.
