The Cure for Boredom
“I’m Borrrrrred!”
Two words that can strike fear in the hearts of parents all over the country. So, in the middle of summer vacation when boredom is popping up in communities from east to west, July is Anti-boredom Month.
Boredom is an emotional state experienced when an individual is left without anything in particular to do, and not interested in their surroundings. ~ Wikipedia
I’m a dreamer. Thoughts race through my mind like Jeff Gordon driving the track. Busy minds don’t have time to be bored, and…
Our children learned at a young age that saying, “I’m bored.” was the fastest way to get a list of chores to keep them occupied. I don’t believe in boredom. I don’t believe in whining either, but we’ll save that for another day!
A Scientific American Journal article begins like this; “Don’t blame your job, the traffic or your mindless chores. Battling boredom, researchers say, means finding focus, living in the moment and having something to live for ….”
The Cure for Boredom
Purpose is freedom from boredom.
The first sentence of The Purpose Driven Life is “It’s not about you.” Author Rick Warren wrote,
“It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.”
So, what is the cure for boredom?
Maybe a better question is: Who is the cure for boredom?
God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, whatever our age or our circumstances. If we focus on ourselves, our wants, and our entertainment; we’re inclined toward boredom when our desires aren’t being met.
When we focus on God and others, there just isn’t time to be bored. As long as we’re breathing there is something to do.
Activities to End Boredom
Any Age
Bake cookies for an elderly neighbor.
Write a note or make cards for someone in a nursing home.
Send a card to someone serving in the military.
Offer to play with younger children and give a mom a break.
Do someone else’s chores.
Pick up a hobby.
Make a new playlist.
Call your parents or grandparents.
Go for a walk.
Try a new recipe and make enough to share.
Clean our the clutter and make a donation to charity.
Children
Play dress up and have a photo shoot.
Organize a talent show.
Practice to improve your talents.
Play a game.
Read.
Play with your pets.
Write a story.
Make a playhouse out of a big box.
Do something nice for someone in your family.
What do you do to cure boredom at your house?
One thing for certain—the best way to cure boredom is to share His love
by doing things for and with people around us.
For everything, absolutely everything above and below, visible and invisible, everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. Colossians 1:16
Photo Credit
Hi Deb, I’m visiting from Simply Beth. As a 5th-grade teacher, I hear the ‘this is boring’ statement every year. Usually when the curriculum is mind-taxing! One of my replies is to discuss with students how you ‘get out what you put in’. If one puts boredom in, one gets boredom out – You are so right – WHO is the cure for boredom. Of course, all this is not to say I never get bored myself, so thank you very much for the lists! Good stuff!
I’ve taught school as well Janet, and one of the reasons I left the classroom is because I found it exhausting trying to stay entertaining. I love your point – “If one puts boredom in, one gets boredom out.” In fact I share it as a lead-in to tomorrow’s post. Thanks for visiting and stopping to say “hi.” Blessings to you!
Great post! I’m right there with you. My children were not allowed to walk around saying they were bored. Work is the instant cure for that! Suddenly, they developed the wonderful skill of finding ways to fill their time!
I also like what you said about purpose.
I’m visiting from the link-up at Simply Beth
Thanks Elizabeth. They learned at a young age to keep themselves busy. I decided that a request to be entertained equalled a request to help around the house. 😉 Purpose and creativity are cures for a “nothing to do” attitude. Blessings to you!
Love this, Deb. Who is the cure for boredom? Love that perspective. There really is always something to do and love the ideas you provided and that you included for any age. Thank you for sharing with Three Word Wednesday.
Thank you Beth for hosting the link-up each week. I love all the wonderful people I’ve met through Simply Beth, especially the hostess. Enjoy a blessing-filled day!