Bored, Bored, Bored

I should probably write some advice on how to get un-bored. But I'm too bored.

So yeah, this is basically just one giant rant about being bored.

Let's start off with an overly philosophical question: Why do we get bored?

Actually, let's not. That's boring.

It's been kind of frustrating being stuck at home. I have to sit in my room and do homework all day, and if I ever get done early, it's still late enough that we can't go outside for a walk, or play in the backyard, or even play a game of cards before dinner or something. I start working at 9 or 10 in the morning and finish at 9 or 10 at night. It's mentally exhausting and is making me physically lazy.

WAIT A SECOND!

I'VE GOT IT! I've realized something deep and philosophical that's perfect to rant about! And here it is: The only way to beat being bored is making yourself uncomfortable.

It's true! Think about it, you're bored because you're comfortable where you are and you don't have an immediate, alarming need for anything. You're probably curled up in bed or on your sofa, nice and comfortable, with junk food available to be binge eaten if you want, TV shows to be watched, work to be done. Even if there's something you want (like a snack) but you're too lazy or tired to get it, it's a comfort in itself that you have options available to you, that you can afford to be lazy and bored, and that you are comfortable as you are, slouched over on the sofa.

Wouldn't you be a little less bored if you did 100 push-ups?

What if you walked around your house 3 times? What if you asked someone to hide your phone for a whole day? What if you challenged yourself to eat healthy for the day?

See, you're probably out of your comfort zone that way. Then you're not bored because you have something to focus on: surviving a whole day without eating a single M&M! You need to be alert and creative if you want to survive!

So while we're all stuck at home, I'm going to challenge myself to do something I don't normally do. For example, today I managed to convince my mom to go on a walk with me around our court! It's small and way away from any public streets, so we should be fine. Plus it helps me get some fresh air.

"Uncomfortable" doesn't mean you have to be in pain. It just means that you're doing something where you have to be a little extra careful, a little more alert, a little more involved in what you're doing. That way you're more focused on your activities and you don't have time to be bored, because you're busy doing something new!

But keep in mind it doesn't even have to be enjoyable. Get in some exercise, force yourself to sit still, meditate, walk around the house, do some chores. Just make sure you switch up what you're doing so you never have time to get super settled in.

And on that note, I have to go help my mom in the kitchen! I know I just wrote all this about "Get out of your comfort zone!" but suddenly I don't want to get out of my comfy chair.

But I'm going to make myself do it, because practise what you preach, you know? Besides, it's better than sitting here, being bored.

I guess.