The Lost Art of Being Bored, Reclaiming Our Minds in the Age of Technology

There was a time, not so long ago, when waiting in line or sitting on a bus meant a chance to daydream, people-watch, or simply be with our own thoughts. We had the space to be bored, to let our minds wander, and to process the world at a human pace.

Now, we carry a supercomputer in our pocket that delivers an endless stream of dopamine hits. That moment of quiet contemplation is immediately filled by a quick scroll on social media, a video, or an email check. We’ve lost the art of being bored, and in doing so, we’ve lost the opportunity for true reflection and critical thinking. The constant consumption of content is a new phenomenon for the human brain. We are not wired to process this much information this quickly. The research on this is clear and emerging at a rapid pace. Constant digital consumption impacts our brains’ ability to focus, innovate, and regulate our emotions. It’s creating a negative impact on our lives in ways we’re only just beginning to understand.

The inspiration for this article hit me after hearing a Harvard professor talk about the importance of boredom. It struck a chord because I’ve been actively practising it myself. I’ve started taking my hour-long Met ride without my ear pods, choosing instead to simply experience the world around me. I’m also skipping the habit of doing chores while listening to a podcast. When I’m gardening, I’m just gardening, deadheading the flowers and being present with the soil and the plant.

It’s about getting back to the simple theme of doing just one thing at a time.

The Great Divide

The impact is far-reaching. In our friendships and relationships, we crave connection, but we are too busy consuming content to truly be present. Pre-social media saturation, we could have wildly different beliefs and opinions, yet we were able to bridge those differences through conversation and the simple agreement to disagree. We still liked each other.

But in the last year or so, I’ve had a growing sense of worry. It feels like we are all at risk of being self-radicalised on some topic or another. From health advice to fashion, from politics to how we view other generations. We are constantly being fed content that reinforces a single point of view, and the algorithms are so good at this that we’re losing our ability to have a diverse thought process on a subject we don’t fully understand.

This is impacting how we truly feel. We are losing the opportunity to explore a wider range of ideas.

It’s impacting our workplaces, how we view leadership, and our ability to handle discomfort.

When we are so used to the constant stream of comfort and distraction, we are terrified of feeling anything less than perfectly comfortable. This is impacting our productivity and our health, as we follow every thought we read on the internet, assuming it must be true.

As a mid-lifer, I want to be part of the solution. This isn’t about going backwards; it’s about creating boundaries with technology and using it for good. The research has been around for a long time on the risks of exposing our youth to these platforms at a far too young age. We can and must do better.

Five Solutions to Reclaim Your Mind

1. Introduce Phone-Free Time at Work. Suggest a “Phone-Free Hour” during the workday where everyone in the office puts their devices away. This can feel uncomfortable at first, but it will foster collaboration and allow for deeper focus. Over time, it will have a profound positive impact on team well-being and productivity.
2. Schedule “Boredom Breaks.” At home, actively schedule time to do nothing. Sit on your sofa, stare out the window, go for a walk without music or a podcast. Just let your mind wander. This is where your best ideas will come from.
3. Audit Your Apps. Look at your phone’s screen-time report. You’ll be surprised by how much time you spend on certain apps. Delete the ones that don’t serve you or set strict time limits.
4. Practice Critical Thinking. Before you share a piece of content or believe something you read, take a pause. Ask yourself, Who wrote this? What is their agenda? Is this information supported by credible sources? This simple habit will help you break free from the echo chamber.
5. Create Phone-Free Zones. Establish areas in your home where phones are not allowed, like the dinner table, the bedroom, or a specific family room. This will help you reconnect with your family and friends and remember the joy of face-to-face conversation.

This is not about giving up technology; it’s about taking back control.

It’s about remembering that we were smart, intelligent people before this influx of technology. We developed our wisdom at a pace that served us and our communities, and we can do that again.

We have a role to play in setting the example for the next generation.

It’s about getting back to the simple theme of doing just one thing at a time.

RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS

If you’re looking for more support and guidance to regain your focus , here are some valuable resources:

• Book a conversation to see how we can help you with your tech boundaries HERE.
• Have meaningful conversations. Connect with your people deeper by sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use our Flip The Thinking Tool kit and share it with people around you. See how it helps you enrich the connection and conversation.
• Follow along on LinkedIn HERE
• Find out more about our women’s leadership programme HERE