My New Year's Resolution is Boring - Literally

This year I resolve to get bored intentionally at least once a day.

Yep. You read that right. I’m going to get bored.

I am going to find time to sit or lie down and do absolutely nothing for a few minutes, up to 30, each and every day of this year. I may drift off to sleep. I may fidget uncomfortably. I may have to fight the urge for constant input and find myself unconsciously reaching for my smartphone.

But I believe that boredom is fertile ground in which the mind can truly flourish. Deep thinking is good for you on a whole lot of levels, and I have come to realize that I do not allow myself the time to think deeply very much.

I fear boredom. I crave mental stimulation. I am anxious that I will miss something, some life-changing bit of information that is “out there” somewhere, urging me to surf, scan, watch, and click. I have caught myself thinking that I need to go check facebook while I was checking facebook. That’s bad.

So I’m going to get bored. On purpose. I’m going to daydream, collect my thoughts, gather wool, sit with my head in the clouds, space out, unplug, disconnect. I am resolved to make this a part of my day, each and every day.

I have no idea what will happen. There are no preconceived notions. I am making this resolution for no greater purpose than that which is self-evident within it. Maybe nothing will happen beyond a few minutes of rest each day. There’s nothing wrong with that!

But maybe I will think a few thoughts that are truly worth thinking! Maybe my mind, freed from the burden of continual input, will deepen a bit. Maybe I’ll get to know myself a little better.

Who knows? But that’s my resolution. I’m going to get bored.