Teach Through Art

Image from: https://en.ac-illust.com/clip-art/23795833/tired-illustration–bored-bored-person–children-

Nowadays, being busy is the expectation. For approximately 28 hours a week, kids sit in a classroom learning. Then they spend hours per week doing extracurriculars, helping out around the house, and studying. These hours add up, leaving the 28 hour week to seemingly surpass the standard 40 hour work week of a full-time job.

The hours not taken up by commitments lead to time filled by more studying, social life, screen time, or sleep. Simple boredom is unheard of to Gen Z. 

While Gen Z might get bored more easily due to shorter attention spans, there is always something more to do or there’s a screen to provide it.

The problem:

Beyond Gen Z, boredom is a feeling that makes us deeply uncomfortable. According to a study reported on by the National Institute of Health, “67% of men and 25% of women—preferred to administer electric shocks to themselves rather than experience boredom while sitting alone with their thoughts.”

While constant boredom may have downsides or result in reckless behavior, the beauty about boredom is that the act of boredom, more often than not, results in the end of boredom.

In the state of boredom, we have time to reflect, find meaning in what we do, and daydream. We go from having no thoughts to having time to fill our head with thoughts that we actually have time to think about. Suddenly, we find ourselves not bored, but curious. 

When we view boredom as the enemy, we surrender ourselves to the business of our lives. We fulfill duties to check a box, not to fulfill ourselves. 

How boredom sparks creativity:

Creativity is allowing ourselves to enjoy a process of trial and error or forming an idea that excites us. In a state of boredom we have time to form new ideas and almost a sense of curiosity and patience to explore our creativity.

When we constantly are doing, our attempts to engage in creative outlets can seem more like a reflection of those around us rather than from within ourselves. Having time to understand what it is we want to explore or reflect on, can allow us to make art we are proud of and that is meaningful.

Now, I want you to think of the last time you were bored. Probably don’t remember, right? Boredom isn’t something we can simply map out and plan. Sometimes when we’re bored, we don’t even realize it. 

If boredom isn’t something we can plan, how do we make time for it? 

Making time for boredom:

While I named this section, “making time for boredom,” I actually don’t think that boredom is what anyone should try to achieve. Boredom isn’t the end goal; it is important because of what it accomplishes.

Rather than trying to make time for boredom, I believe you should make time for yourself. Try listening to your thoughts and seeing where they take you. Boredom certainly can get you to that point of reflection, but so can being in tune with yourself.

Try observing the world around you. When you make observations about others, you are able to understand yourself more deeply. When traveling, going to some place new (like a restaurant or friend’s house), or simply sitting in a car, try to be present. Look out the window, ask questions, imagine the stories behind the people. 

Daydream. Unlike boredom, daydreaming can feel easier to initiate. Spend time thinking about things you enjoy and want to see in your life. You’ll understand more deeply what you truly want, rather than giving into society’s pressures. If you know what you want, you’ll understand more deeply what it is you want to explore creatively. Or, even if you don’t necessarily turn to art, you’ll set yourself up to achieve what you want and understand what it is you need to get there. 

But when boredom inevitably arrives, embrace it. Let your mind wander. Don’t try too hard to follow a train of thought. Don’t turn to your phone or try to overcompensate and keep yourself overly busy.

My dad once told me, “I never want to hear you’re bored. Find something to do.” I somewhat disagree with this statement, but there’s a fundamental truth to it. Boredom results in the creation of something. Don’t find that “something” in your miscellaneous tasks or digital life, find it from within yourself.