Let me start by saying something that might surprise you—I love feeling bored.
I know that sounds strange, especially in a world where we’re always chasing distractions and trying to fill every moment with something. But over time, I’ve learned that boredom isn’t something to be feared or avoided. In fact, it’s been a blessing for me—a gateway to creativity, peace, and a deeper connection with myself.
Take, for example, the five daily prayers I offer as a man of faith. For me, these moments of pause aren’t just about fulfilling an obligation. They’re a much-needed mental reset. When I sit in prayer, my mind has the freedom to wander. And it’s in those quiet moments, free from the noise of life, that some of my best thoughts come to me. I walk away from prayer feeling refreshed, not just spiritually, but mentally too. It’s like my brain is cleared of clutter, and suddenly, ideas I want to bring to life start forming.
Then there’s the walk I take alone to work every day. You’d think that walking the same route every day would become routine, even boring. But for me, it’s anything but. Those walks create a sense of anticipation for the work ahead. The quiet, the steady rhythm of my steps—these things fuel my hunger for the day. By the time I reach the office, I’m not just ready to work; I want to work. There’s a kind of joy in that hunger, in being excited for what lies ahead.
I also find a special kind of peace in the most unlikely of places—being alone in the bathroom without my phone. We’ve all been guilty of scrolling through our feeds when we should be taking a moment for ourselves, but I’ve found that stepping away from my phone and just being alone with my thoughts is powerful. It’s time spent bonding with myself, letting my mind think without limits. It’s in those seemingly insignificant moments that my thoughts flow most freely. I can imagine endless possibilities, dream without boundaries, and plan without distractions. When I emerge, I feel recharged and often inspired to tackle whatever’s next.
Here’s the thing: when I do find myself feeling bored, I don’t see it as a bad thing. Quite the opposite—I welcome it. Every time I get the chance to just sit with my thoughts, to do nothing, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Because that boredom, that stillness, is often the source of my most creative and exciting ideas. It’s when I come up with plans that I’m genuinely excited to execute.
And that’s why, when I’m doing tasks that others might call boring, I don’t feel bored at all. I’ve already experienced the stillness, the nothingness. That stillness creates a hunger in me—a hunger to do something, to be productive. So even when I’m tackling the mundane, I’m doing it with focus and energy. I’ve already had my moments of quiet, and now I’m ready to work.
To me, boredom isn’t something to escape from; it’s something to embrace. It’s a gift that allows us to slow down, to listen to ourselves, and to tap into the parts of our mind that are often drowned out by the busyness of life. So next time you feel bored, don’t rush to fill the gap. Let yourself sit in that stillness, and you might just be surprised by what you find.
For me, every time I feel bored, I feel blessed. Blessed with creativity, blessed with peace, and blessed with the hunger to make things happen.
