We were on a budget holiday, staying in a cabin in a caravan park. Ten days with no computer, Playstation, phone (I MUST CONFESS: it was in the days before smart phones!) or friends. I didn’t even bring a book to read! Boring, right? Wrong!
Although it was nothing flash, that holiday is one of my favourite memories, because I discovered the joy of being … bored!
For a start, we enjoyed quality family time. Having ten days of “nothingness” allowed us to celebrate the little things in life, like lingering together over a cup of tea while enjoying the view, or taking the time to have a barbecue for breakfast. We went for walks, “just because”. Not surprisingly, conversation blossomed in this laid back atmosphere.
At first it didn’t come easily. I’m used to two speeds in my life – full steam ahead, or a complete full stop (asleep in bed)! But within a day or two we’d thrown off the confines of our regular routines, the coils and knots in our brains loosened, and our minds were free to explore new horizons.
Not surprisingly, my mind was flooded with fresh ideas for articles and blog posts hat I wanted to write: the creative juices weren’t just flowing, they were cascading! (I mentioned this in my post last week about Generating Blog Ideas).
So next time the computer succumbs to a virus, the TV bites the dust, or you have the opportunity to “run away” from the real world for a while, do it.
Let’s throw out the old saying “an idle mind is the devil’s playground” and realise that in the 21st century, “it’s good to be bored”!
Do you get bored often? Love it or hate it?