“Only the boring get bored”
Growing up my sister would always repeat this phrase to me. Anytime I felt bored with nothing to do, I had to remind myself that there was something that could be done or needed to get done. It also led to a greater sense of responsibility to interact with the technology, toys, gadgets, and people around me. If I was indeed so grateful for it/them, then how could I possibly experience boredom?
As I got older, I think the phrase for me has now transitioned to, “only the boring stay bored.” It’s OK to be bored. It’s okay to want to do nothing. Sometimes that’s all we ever want to do after a long day. However, that feeling doesn't last too long for me. Maybe it's my creative mind or ruminating thoughts, but I'm instantly pulled to figure out how I can ‘entertain’ myself -- whether it’s doing a crossword puzzle, playing video games, watching a movie, writing my next Bear Blog post, doing the dishes, etc. And sometimes more than one of these at a time.
It's not always cool but that's how I experience boredom. It's an opportunity to rest and recharge before my mind starts leading me to practice mindfulness and gratitude.