Are you bored?

In this world of “must excel at everything we do”, sometimes we just opt for not doing what we should be doing.

Now you have a vast amount of time in your hands that has been labeled “me time” or relaxing time.

You start with the basics: check social media, watch tv, take the dog for a walk.

Then it hits

What to do? Some people get a snack, which is so bad for you when not satisfying the need of feeding your body and instead tries to feed your mind.

The strategy to overcome the moments of boredom and overwhelm is to have a plan.

Yes, plan for boredom when you are in an active state.

1. You can place pieces of paper in a bowl with different things that are easy that you enjoy. If you are bored, pick one and move on. Remember they are all positive activities that you selected in a state of focus.

2. You can also set up an anti-boredom station. Maybe a basket in the living room with paper and coloring pencils. Maybe a couple of magazines with post it notes of articles that you are interested in but did not have time to read.

3. Prepare a healthy snack as a go to for these moments.

I really hate to say this but it is so darn true!!

I hate it but here it goes: if you fail to plan you plan to fail.

Ugh! Don’t get me wrong, I believe this is true, but there is something to say for spontaneous thoughts. And if that usually works for you, please go for it!

If you are at school and you are bored, ask a question, engage, there is a reason you are there. Ask yourself, “what am I learning from this?” or “what the heck are they trying to teach me?”

If you are at work and you are bored, it’s time to look at what you do and how you do your job, and come up with some new ideas that make it more exciting for you. After all you were hired for a reason: you are the person for that job!

If you are at home and you are bored, get on the floor and close your eyes, focus on your breathing and become aware of your surroundings. That helps you get out of the bogged down state and makes you pay attention to the here and now. Then go to your planned space or get on with your plan for boredom.

Being bored can be a great thing if you use it wisely.