How to be bored

2026-02-15

Boredom is uncomfortable but important. If you want to know why, I linked some resources at the end.

Here is a list of things you can do to get bored and increase your boredom tolerance:

  • Drive to work and back home without listening to music or podcasts
  • Go for a run or walk without your phone
  • Fold laundry without podcasts or watching TV
  • Get on the bike trainer without music, podcasts or youtube
  • Sit in the waiting room without using your phone or reading magazines
  • Sit down on a park bench without using your phone or listening to music
  • Go to a coffee shop and stay there without using your phone
  • While waiting for someone, don’t use your phone
  • Wash dishes without music or podcasts
  • Eat your meals without using your phone or watching TV
  • Place your phone in another room while working or studying
  • Go for a swim
  • Read something you are not interested in
  • Don’t use your phone in the restroom
  • Block distracting websites when you need to work on something boring or important
  • Do the boredom challenge to practice being bored

If you don’t trust me that boredom is important, maybe you’ll trust HBR or some random YouTuber: