#342: Why Boredom is Good for You

Creativity

Manoush Zomorodi discovered that boredom can ignite creativity by prompting people to disconnect from their smartphones. She conducted an experiment with her podcast audience to tweak their smartphone habits and reintroduce boredom into their lives. The results were surprising, with 20,000 participants reporting increased creativity and productivity.

We had 20,000 people sign up to do that one week. They sort of gave us a week of their lives. And so the book is based on what I learned from that week.

--- Manoush Zomorodi

This experiment formed the basis of her book, combining listener feedback with extensive research and interviews 1.

   

Well-being

Boredom also plays a crucial role in mental well-being. Manoush Zomorodi argues that our constant engagement with technology, driven by the attention economy, can negatively impact our mental health. She compares this to the early days of cigarette advertising, emphasizing the need for transparency about how these platforms operate.

I think we need to be more sort of upfront about it and explain to kids how these things are made and built and paid for so that they are making smarter, wide eyed, open choices for themselves.

--- Manoush Zomorodi

Understanding this can help individuals make more informed choices about their technology use 2.

   

Exercises

To combat the negative effects of constant stimulation, Manoush Zomorodi suggests practical exercises to reintroduce boredom into daily life. She shares her personal experience of feeling creatively barren and how she realized that moments of boredom, like staring out the window, were crucial for idea generation.

I felt just dried up, like there was nothing going on upstairs. It felt different than writer's block. It was more like a barrenness that I felt.

--- Manoush Zomorodi

These exercises can help individuals reclaim those moments and boost their creativity and productivity 3 4.

   

Philosophy

Boredom has been a subject of philosophical inquiry for millennia. Manoush Zomorodi explains that there are two types of boredom: situational and existential. The latter can lead to profound self-reflection and creativity. Neuroscience research shows that when our minds wander, we activate the brain's default mode, which is crucial for creative thinking and self-referential processing.

You activate a network in your brain called the default mode. And they now understand that in the default mode, that is when we do some of our most creative thinking.

--- Manoush Zomorodi

This process helps us build a coherent sense of self and plan for the future 5.