Boredom is dangerous. It comes out of nowhere and smothers its victim’s impulses and willingness to participate in life. It can also make someone feel alone or isolated or pessimistic. When you are struck with sudden boredom, here are some things you can do to defeat it.
1. Break the cycle. Doing things repeatedly can cause boredom. You should try to plan fresh ideas for each day. Do something different and break your routine. Instead of going to some drive thru for dinner, go to the store and cook your dinner. Or if you’re an “American Idol” junkie, don’t watch it at your house as you usually do. Instead, watch it at your friends’ houses.
2. Socialize. The best way to avoid boredom is to socialize. We all need friends and someone to talk to. Find a group of friends who have free time and plan events with them regularly. Plan to go the theaters one week and plan for a beach day the next. Vacation together, volunteer together, make a movie, form a band — switch it up as much as possible.
3. Pick up a hobby. Hobbies are perfect for filling time when you’re doing nothing. Grab a pen and paper and jot down all the hobbies you have wanted to do but never have like photography, cooking, writing, photo editing or reading. These may seem like things you may already do, but mix them up. If you normally like to take pictures, then go out on a walk and take pictures of the places you’re passing. Then create a “walk to remember” scrap book.
4. Keep a journal. Keeping your thoughts to yourself can be frustrating, but writing them can be a great venting tool. People keep journals daily, but maybe you can keep a boredom journal. Write about times you were bored throughout the day, and what you did to defeat it.
5. Join an organization that shares your interests. NSU has 76 clubs and organizations to choose from. These clubs and organizations will be a tool for busting boredom, but they also provide you with a well-rounded college experience. Or try creating your own organization on or off campus.
6. Enjoy the great outdoors. Go outside and go for a walk around your neighborhood or the campus and enjoy the scenery. Get on your bike or blades and get some exercise. The fresh air will invigorate your mind and
energize you.
7. Change your space. Blast your favorite music in your apartment or dorm to get you pumped up and re-arrange the furniture. This will create a new feel to your environment, and you will be doing something productive, so you will be too distracted to be bored.
8. Play a board game. This one is simple. Gather your roommates, friends and boy/girlfriend and plan a game night. You may surprise yourself with how much fun it can be to own a house on Park Avenue or shout Yahtzee!
You can turn boredom into the opportunity to bring out parts of your personality that you had perhaps never seen before. You may discover that you like a hobby you would have never started if you weren’t bored. Or you might make new friends, capture the next world-famous photo or write the next novel phenomenon without a vampire. When you bust boredom, the possibilities are endless.
