Don't Sweat the Little Things 007

Allowing Yourself to be Bored

For many of us, our lives are so filled with stimuli, not to mention responsibilities, that it's almost impossible for us to sit still and do nothing, much less relax-even for a few minutes. People should no longer be called human beings, but instead be called human doings.

I was first exposed to the idea that occasional boredom can actually be good for me while working for Dick's Sporting Goods a few years ago. After finishing an evening shift, I had to pull an overnighter with a manager and another coworker. I asked my manager "What is there even to do around here at night?" (besides the minuscule amount of work that we had planned for that 6 hour shift). He responded be telling me to do nothing. That's right. "Do nothing" was his exact words. After we finished the little work that was planned I sat around, as my manager said, doing absolutely nothing. At first I thought this man had to be crazy, sitting here for another 5 hours doing absolutely nothing?! Why would I choose to be bored? Trick question, I wouldn't.
But.. as time went slowly pacing on, I allowed myself to be bored, without fighting it, and I shit you not the feelings of boredom got replaced with little feelings of peace. After a little practice, you will learn to relax.

I was used to doing something every second that I really struggled to relax. But after a while I got used to it, and have long since learned to enjoy it. I'm not talking about hours of idle time or laziness, but simply learning the art of relaxing, of just "being" rather than "doing" for a few minutes each day. There isn't a specific technique other than to consciously do nothing. Just sit still, perhaps look out the window and notice your thoughts and feelings. At first you may get a little anxious, but each day it will get a little easier. The payback is tremendous.

Much of our anxiety and inner struggles stems from our busy, overactive minds always needing something to entertain them, something to focus on, and always wondering "What's next?" While we're eating dinner we wonder what's for dessert. While eating dessert, we ponder what we should do afterwards. After that evening, it's "What should we do this weekend?" After we've been out, we walk into the house and immediately turn on the television, pick up the phone, open a book, or start cleaning. It's almost as though we're frightened at the thought of not having something to do, even for a minute.

The beauty of doing nothing is that it teaches you to clear your mind and relax. It allows your mind the freedom to "not know" for a brief period of time. Just like your body, your mind needs an occasional break from its hectic routine. When you allow your mind to take a break, it comes back stronger, sharper, more focused and creative. When you allow yourself to be bored, it takes an enormous amount of pressure off you to be performing and doing something every second of every day.

Upvotes and resteems always appricated :)

Other than that, Stay Classy