Boredom Busters: Why Being Bored with Life Can Be Good

Boredom busters alert: It's often okay to be bored with life.Boredom can be a complex and multifaceted experience. On one hand, having time to yourself without the pressures of socializing or other stimuli can provide much-needed relief from the stresses of life. 

But on the other hand, prolonged boredom can also lead to distress, risky behaviors, or unhealthy habits. Luckily, there are boredom busters for those on the spectrum that fall in the middle ground between being overwhelmed and having time to find a purpose.

Boredom is an emotional state of weariness, listlessness and dullness that results from a lack of engagement. It is often characterized as when there is simultaneously too much and not enough.

There are many benefits that come from being bored with life, in spite of what people sometimes think. Here are some the boredom busters theories about boredom, and beliefs that boredom is bad, as well as the debunking of those inaccurate beliefs. Remember, boredom can be good as long as there is a balance. 

Read more about being bored with life, and how it can actually be a good thing at times when you say, “My life is boring.”

No. 1 Boredom Busters Debunked: The Many Benefits of Being Bored With Life

Surprisingly, being bored with life can actually be helpful for the autistic mind. Many autistic individuals are prone to overstimulation, exhaustion, and burnout—all of which can lead to a meltdown. Having down time to decompress without sensory input or social demands provides a chance to recharge. Boredom allows the mind to wander, daydream, and tap into creativity. Unstructured alone time can lead to self-discovery, problem-solving, and exploring new interests.

It’s a boredom buster to think that having all that free time is bad. Quiet boredom also teaches important skills like self-motivation, self-initiation, and self-regulation. When bored with life, autistic people learn to independently direct their thoughts or actions toward something constructive. They generate ideas for activities, develop interests, and practice executive function.

In moderation, boredom provides benefits. Being bored is something that many therapists recommend that parents allow their child to be, whether neurotypical or neurodiverse. By filling in activities every moment there is free time or a lull in the day doesn’t allow an individual an opportunity to self-entertain and pursue activities independently.

No. 2 Boredom Busters Debunked: Bored With Life Can Prevent Overstimulation

Another boredom buster to the stereotype that boredom is bad, is that being bored with life can actually help prevent the exhaustion that comes from constant overstimulation. Autistic brains process and absorb every detail of the environment.

Being in loud, crowded, or brightly lit spaces rapidly depletes mental energy. There is no reprieve from the light hitting eyes, sound waves striking eardrums, or scents overwhelming the nose. After too much stimulation without rest, meltdowns and shutdowns often occur.  

Boredom provides that much-needed break for the central nervous system. In silence and solitude, there is room to think, process emotions, and decompress. The pressure to respond and react instantly dissolves. Space opens up for daydreaming, contemplating philosophy, or wandering mentally. This equates to rest for the easily drained autistic mind. Downtime boredom is renewal.

No. 3 Boredom Busters Debunked: Boredom Actually Enhances Creativity and Problem-Solving

In addition to being restorative, being bored with life can actually lead to enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities. This seems counterintuitive, but hear me out. When the mind is not distracted or entertained, it starts seeking out stimulation. In that search, new neural connections form as the brain activates.

Without external noise, the mind turns inward. New imaginative thoughts emerge, philosophical questions arise, poetry or art ideas flow. Boredom creates space for intuition and inspiration. Likewise, working through boredom encourages development of initiative.

Autistic individuals learn to independently formulate goals and activities to end the boredom. This fosters self-motivation and problem-solving, invaluable life skills.

No. 4 Boredom Busters Debunked:  Being Bored With Life Promotes Special Interest Exploration

Being bored with life and figuring out something to do can be good for you. It also helps avoid the feeling of, "my life is boring."Finally, if you are saying “my life is boring,” when chances are you’ll begin to seek an opportunity to dive deeper into special interests.

People assume being bored with life means being listless and unmotivated, and often with the case of individuals with autism specifically, the opposite is true. 

Hyperfocus comes more naturally in a low stimulation environment. When bored, autistic people can research niche topics for hours or immerse themselves in a role-playing game without distractions.

Having uninterrupted special interest time leads to a wealth of acquired knowledge. For example, a train-loving child may dig into train history, mechanics, model building, or related math concepts when bored. 

An art-focused teen might experiment with multiple mediums and styles if left to their own devices. Boredom enables granular exploration. It’s not true that being bored with life is always a bad thing, because it encourages finding new interests and activities that lead to a better life overall. 

My Life is Boring: Problems with Excessive Boredom

While there are many pros to being bored with life, it’s a boredom buster to think it’s always good. A total lack of stimulation or  prolonged under-stimulation can become detrimental. When boredom is excessive, autistic individuals may engage in risky behaviors to generate stimulation. This could include impulsive decisions, self-harm, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, or petty crimes. Boredom can also lead to unhealthy habits like compulsive gaming, gambling, or addiction to pornography.

Additionally, chronic boredom often causes anxiety, restlessness, frustration, and depression. Autistic people tend to thrive with structure. A lack of purposeful activity or goals on an ongoing basis can be distressing. Excessive boredom may exacerbate social isolation and special interest fixations as well. Overall, too much unconstructive boredom can negatively impact mental health.

Risky Behaviors Associated with Being Bored With Life

Specifically, research shows that adolescents and adults on the spectrum are more likely to engage in unhealthy coping behaviors when excessively bored with life. A study in Sweden found autistic teens were seven times more likely to develop substance abuse problems if they lacked recreational activities and reported being bored.

Boredom seems to override the autistic tendency towards rule-following and caution. Dangerous behavior supplies immediate stimulation. This effect is especially strong in teens and young adults whose frontal lobes are still developing. Impulsivity spikes when bored. Parents, caregivers, spouses and friends should thus watch for signs of risky, self-destructive behavior if an autistic loved one complains of frequent and persistent boredom.

Anxiety, Depression and Boredom Can Result From Feelings of ‘My Life is Boring’

Chronic boredom is also closely tied to anxiety and depression. Everyone requires meaning, goals, agency and structure. When days lack routine, productivity, socializing or recreation, restlessness and hopelessness often follow. Excessive boredom strips away purpose, leaving fear for the future.

Polls of autistic adults have reported boredom is one of the most common triggers for their anxiety and depression. Kids may manifest anxiety from boredom as tantrums or emotional meltdowns. Monitoring mental health is important if bored states become the norm, not the exception. Professional help may be needed to help with boredom busters and address underlying issues.

Boredom Busters Recap:  Achieving Balance Is Key

So how can autistic individuals and their supporters find balance when it comes to being bored with life? Luckily, there are many ways to overcome boredom busters and stay stimulated.

Utilize special interests by exploring new facets or educational resources. Seek out mentally stimulating hobbies that provide focus like puzzles, reading or crafting. Develop schedules and routines to add satisfying structure to days. Socialize in comfortable settings like online autistic communities. Ask for help proposing activities or outings.

If you are saying, my life is boring, then a top boredom busters is in your power.If boredom becomes overwhelming, seek therapy or counseling to build coping skills and address underlying issues like depression. With the right strategies, autistic people can harness the advantages of boredom while avoiding its pitfalls.

I have my own experience with boredom. Truthfully, being bored out of your mind for so long can be dangerous, as it can slowly destroy you psychologically. Everyone needs excitement, because what’s the point of being alive if you never feel alive? But this isn’t to say being bored with life can’t be helpful.

Just look at the Steve Jobs quote: “I’m a big believer in boredom. Boredom allows one to indulge in curiosity, and out of curiosity comes everything.”

I love this quote because of how simple and true it is.

Boredom gives someone the time to think and a lot people’s problems can be solved if they just had time to think. So don’t try kill boredom at all costs because it can be very helpful.  Boredom busters are beliefs that you need to be entertained all the time. The truth is that you just need to learn how to manage it properly: not too much but not too little. If you can do this, you can reap all of the benefits of being bored with life and avoid all the pitfalls.

In the end, it’s debunking boredom busters to think the emotion of being bored with life is either good or bad. Actually, being bored with life itself is not inherently good or bad. By understanding its duality, autistic individuals can learn to manage boredom in healthy ways, prevent risky behaviors, and create a life of purpose. With self-knowledge, creativity and resilience, the autistic mind can thrive.

Additional Challenges Individuals with Autism Face

Learn more about other issues that autistics face:

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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