Do you remember when procrastination was a fine art? When staring out the window was considered a thoughtful activity rather than a digital distraction? These days, everyone’s got their noses so buried in their gadgets that even a one-minute wait in a queue is unbearable without some scrolling. But have you ever wondered if this constant need for stimulation is just modern nonsense we’ve all bought into?
The other day, I found myself in a rare moment of silence. There I was, sitting in my worn-out armchair with a cup of tea gone slightly cold, just staring at the wallpaper. And let me tell you, it was glorious. At first, I thought I’d lost the plot. But it was then that I recalled reading somewhere — probably on one of those online platforms or another — that being bored is actually a luxury. Turns out, our brains get up to some pretty exciting stuff when we’re not bombarded by information. Made me think: when exactly did simply doing nothing become something only retirees and toddlers excelled at?
You see, in our mad rush to fill every second with activity, we’re missing the gift of boredom. That’s right, gift. Neuroscience boffins claim that when our brains wander, they’re stitching together all those loose threads of ideas and eureka moments we’ve been ignoring in our busyness. This makes me wonder if maybe we’ve got ourselves a bit backwards these days. We’re bombarding our brains with so much piffle, it’s no wonder we’re exhausted by lunchtime and sipping our third coffee.
Now, I’m not suggesting we all revert back to smoke signals and pigeons, but maybe there’s something to this old-fashioned practice of doing sweet nothing once in a while. A bit of daydreaming might just be the secret sauce for a creative mind. So next time you’re tempted to fill a lull with scrolling or cleaning cupboards that don’t need it (yes, I’m talking to you), how about indulging in a good old-fashioned stare into space?
And just in case you’re scratching your head thinking, “What’s this nonsense?” you might find a bit of sense in such ramblings over at Substack. Pop over to The Old Grey Thinker for a brew of musings, moans, and the occasional morsel of wisdom from a reluctant retiree: https://theoldgreythinker.substack.com.
Truth is, it doesn’t hurt to take our foot off the pedal once in a while. Doing nothing isn’t an act of rebellion — it’s more of a reprieve from the modern hullabaloo. So go on, stare out the window and rest your busy mind. You never know, you might just find that inspiration you didn’t know you were seeking, right in the folds of a very quiet afternoon.
If this piece spoke to you, you might enjoy my newsletter, The Old Grey Thinker. It’s where I share more reflections on life, learning, and a touch of humour for those of us navigating the later chapters. You can join here: https://substack.com/@theoldgreythinker
