How to over come boredom in a healthy way?

[Roman25]

Boredom is a monster. It makes us turn to drugs, turn to candy, destroys relationships, etc. I wonder if there are ways of using boredom as an advantage to help you in life. I heard that people who read hundreds of books develop very well mentally. I have a mom who has read over 230 books in 7 years and she is extremely wise. My issue is that I play games. I either play them for 1 or 2 hours a day - dependent on how much school work I have. This is a habit that I do not want to have at all since the time committed to playing games can be spent doing something more beneficial. I am 15 years old which is the age when your maturity levels suck. I'd like to spend an hour meditating each day and reading for hours each day but it is very rough due to this boredom that I feel. I only spend about 10 minutes meditating each day which is nothing. I like to watch actualized.org vids every now and them since they provide knowledge that can be useful if you apply it. I think Leo is a great teacher as it's evident that he has traveled and learned about various places around the world. When I first started watching his channel I was shocked to see that he understood that life had no meaning and he didn't see this as a negative thing. That helped me the most. I'm not a weeb btw. My profile pic is a random picture I found online years ago lol.

[Nahm]

@Roman Edouard Why do you want to do any of this for yourself? 

[Roman25]

That is a deep and smart question lol. I'd mainly say that it's because that's how I view living a good life. Improving myself also helps others too since I will come across a lot of people in life. If I am capable of developing myself then the wisdom I have to give them may help them in life.

[Prabhaker]

5 hours ago, Roman Edouard said:

How to over come boredom in a healthy way?

Spend your time on https://www.actualized.org/ !

[WelcometoReality]

@Roman Edouard Boredom is resistance to the present moment. If you are truly present you can't be bored.

When you feel bored investigate the boredom. how does it feel in the body. What thoughts come up? Does it pass even if you don't react to it?

That's a good way to overcome most negative feelings.

[Salvijus]

this is nice. 15years old and already talks about personal development. I guess you will go far  

Edited August 29, 2018 by Salvijus

[Roman25]

I love these replies and this community

[Charlotte]

I'm going to give the same answer as @WelcometoReality and say that boredom is an escape of the present moment. We're always looking for something to occupy our minds, always searching for stimulation in one way or another, boredom can even bring on frustration and feelings of anger because you NEED TO ESCAPE being. Don't. Sit with it and observe what you are trying to escape from? 

[Roman25]

All of you have provided very useful knowledge.  Next time I have the urge to play a game I'll observe the full feeling itself. Where it's located, if it's temporary, and why it's there. 

[PsiloPutty]

Wowwie, I'm impressed with your mind. To be concerned, even superficially, with these topics at 15yo is exceptional. Be a kid and have fun with it, but stay on that meditation thing; I think if you nurture that into a must-do daily habit, you'll have an indescribable advantage over your peers, and that advantage will keep unfolding over your whole life. Best wishes to you!!!   

[Haumea2018]

Also keep in mind that you're 15.

In other words, you are still developing and maturing.

You have your hands full just developing your mind and body.

It is not surprising that you'd be bored meditating for an hour.

Maybe you should actually be more active physically so that you are capable of relaxing into other activities.

When I was 15 I was very much into sports.  I did a lot better academically when I was playing soccer, e.g.  Better concentration and reasoning ability.

Sometimes we need to do more physically in order to do other stuff.

 

Edited August 30, 2018 by Haumea2018

[iamme]

If you have a purpose you don't have time to be bored. For me it's self inquiry

[lmfao]

@Roman Edouard I've been dealing with boredom recently as well. I'm trying to take the approach of using boredom as fuel to start healthy habits like reading and exercise.

[YaMayka]

Find books on topics that interest you and start from there. It might be whatever, sci fi, thrillers etc, just to get a habit of reading and to discover that reading is fun. Plus to get your attention span longer than 10 min.

If you a brave I recommend that for a week or 2 (or how much you need):

 

It’s worth giving a thought  doesn’t have to be for ever.

[Roman25]

@lmfao That is literally the same thing that I'm trying to do as well lol. Good luck man! Also, my comment is really late since I fell down the toilet xDDD

[Colin]

just read a book called "bored and brilliant". It was a fun exploration about the idea that being bored is actually a catalyst for new insights, and how our culture today is uniquely saturated with stimulation and distraction. It also had an interesting take on meditation, and how it is not always so great when trying to come up with new ideas. The default mode is actually great, and healthy. But, take boredom in moderation.