I am bored … that’s it
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It was the time of annual evaluation, I was discussing the progress of a young worker who had performed well earlier but this year her productivity had not been satisfactory. She stopped me by saying, “I am bored, that’s it”, and left the room. Since then it has been reverberating in my mind. I am studying people in general and I realize, “Oh! I am bored” is a common reaction of the day.
But if someone repeatedly feels bored, sad, tired and fails to enjoy routine activities, it is a matter that needs attention. These are the symptoms of depression and 1 in every 5 individuals is affected by this condition in the US. WHO estimates that 350 million people worldwide are affected by depression. The global anti-depressant drugs market is expected to grow to US$16.8 billion by the end of 2020.
However, boredom is not always depression. It is commonly a feeling of dissatisfaction from activities we do but are not comfortable with. Many young and energetic people get bored when they are unable to direct their energy and have no focus on any task, and no goal to achieve in a routine job that makes them uninterested. It is generally a normal response to a specific situation.
But in most cases control of a situation is not possible. We have no choice and have to live with it. In such cases either we develop apathy towards what is happening around us or we mess-up our lives due to repeated cycles of boredom. In such situations, a simple way to get out of it is to pick up an activity what you like doing or are good at.
Some psychologists believe that boredom is a positive phenomenon linked to creativity. Some people are bored with a traditional way of life, or a traditional way of doing certain things and they want to initiate change. Such boredom creates an avenue for change, creativity and a new way of doing things. Other scientists think that boredom may result from an inability to do something positive.
It might be a neurological problem, or an inability in brain to maintain attention. Whatever may be the cause and outcome of your boredom, I suggest that if you have difficulty in dealing with your thoughts and feelings and repeatedly get bored, seek help from expert psychotherapists to resolve the mystery of your mind and behavior.
In addition, there are some simple ways, to do it yourself, to address your boredom and pave a way to develop a hobby. Your mind needs a booster, and a hobby is the best way to get your brain actively working. A hobby provides a personal corner of enjoyment where you do whatever you like. It’s not routine. It is not to please someone else, and it is not to earn money but an activity that provides pleasure and in return refreshes you.
A hobby can be an activity involving yourself as an artist, poet or writer, where you don’t want any interference, discussion, or argument. You do what you think is best in your thoughts and you express yourself freely in the form of your own creation. Moreover, it can also be a group activity where you interact with people who share your interest such as in games, dramatics etc. You play, shout, run, win and lose and vent out your emotions and feel energetic and happy. The best solution is, if you can make your job a hobby. The word ‘boredom’ will then be a distant imagery in your life.
By Mirza Umair Beg Senior Scientist Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
This news has been read 7061 times!
