A Perspective Shift on Boredom During Self-Isolation

“Boredom always precedes a period of great creativity.”

~ Robert M. Persig

These days every day feels like Groundhog Day doesn’t it? And, when life is mostly predictable (for those of us in self-isolation anyway), boredom may creep in.

If you’re feeling restless, uninspired or tired of the same ol’, same ‘ol, stop focusing on the things you’re not able to do right now, and get creative! Resurrect a past hobby, try something new, and stay positive. Who knows what good will come of it!?

Share in the comments what you’re doing to make the most of your time, and watch the short video below to learn what I’m taking on… or read the transcript that follows.

Hey Michelle Cederberg here, coming to you several weeks into self isolation with a message about boredom. Now if you’re like me, you’re all of a sudden starting to look around at all the things that you can no longer do. You can no longer go and meet a friend for coffee. You can no longer go out for dinner. You can no longer have people over. You can no longer pop up to the mall to buy the things that you want. You can no longer go to the gym, and get things done … out there. If you’re feeling like that, I want to offer a little bit of a pivot around boredom.

Let’s stop focusing on the things that we can no longer do. Put that creativity cap on and take a look at your environment for things that you can do that are different and interesting. What’s an old hobby that you can resurrect or what’s something that you can teach yourself or what’s something that you want to learn?

I know that in the weeks ahead, I plan to learn how to bake bread. I’ve always bought it, I’ve never baked it. I know some of you have done this before, so I will take tips. I am also going to order some of my spring vegetable seeds online and start them in seed trays in my living room. I’m worried that when it comes time to plant, the garden centers are still not going to be open and I won’t have my garden, especially my tomatoes that I love so much. Those are two new things that I’m trying while I’ve got a little bit more time on my hands, and a fewer options out in the world.

I mentioned baking bread, but baking and cooking in general are great things to explore. Whether you’re just learning or if you’re already a seasoned cook, teach yourself something new in the kitchen. Try more elaborate baking projects. Teach your kids. From the age of 12 onward, my twin sister and I had to cook a family meal once a week so that we would learn how to cook and I’m still grateful to my mom for giving us that opportunity.

This is a great time for you to connect with your family in creative ways. How about going online to try out a different workout? There’s a lot of fitness facilities that are putting hundreds of hours of free workouts online right now, and you could figure out a new fitness routine based on that. And don’t use no equipment as an excuse because there’s a lot of stuff you can do without it.

And the last thing I’m going to suggest is to be more present. Put your phone down more often. Let’s face it, every time our faces are in the phone these days, it’s pretty stressful. Put the phone down and pick up a book. Put the phone down and pick up something that you can get your hands into, crafts or music or art or whatever it is that you’re curious about.

Now is the time to explore creative options for staving off boredom so we can get through this not only merely having survived, but with a new perspective on what we’re capable of. I’m interested to know the things that you’re doing to stave off boredom, so share them in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to my other social channel, so you don’t miss what’s going on during these crazy COVID times.

And let me remind you that we’ve got one chance to do this life. I say Dare to Live it Big and dare to do it with a little openness to creativity about what’s possible in your confined self isolation space. You got this!

Michelle Cederberg, CSP, MKin, BA Psyc
CEP, CPCC, ORSC

Empowering today’s dreamers, leaders and go-getters to create the life and career they want.

www.michellecederberg.com
403-850-5589