Escaping the Trap of Boredom!!!

I have always been proud of my simple, quiet life and my phone is often my companion which I have relied on. I'd often tell people, "As long as my phone is by my side and fully charged, there is no chance of boredom." I remember that time when a colleague at my PPA once was worried about me living all alone and asked if I ever felt lonely, not having anyone around to chat or joke with.

I smiled and told her solitude is something I have grown accustomed to. It wasn't my first time living alone and I genuinely love it, especially with the peace that comes with a quiet environment.

But is that true all the time?

Even though I appreciate my solitude, I still long to have someone around me to talk to/with. And while I wouldn't trade this lifestyle, boredom does creep in every now and then. When it does, I have a few trusted ways to keep the negativity at bay and reset my mindset.

Boredom can be a sneaky trap. One thing it does is to start eroding you with negative thoughts, irrational thoughts and a general sense of dissatisfaction. I have been there many times and it is that moment I quickly snap out of that world and get back to reality saving the day from becoming unproductive and filled with negativity.

I hate to be filled with wrong thoughts as that would definitely make it worse, by having a bad and unproductive day in the end if I fail to discard such thoughts and find something to do at that moment.

They say an idle mind is the devil's workmanship and I have found that to be true. Left unchecked, boredom can bring thoughts that make you question everything about life, filling your head with worries and self-doubt.

So, here is my first go-to strategy: I shake myself out of the unpleasant situation. I get up, maybe even dance for some minutes or just put on a favourite song to lift up my mood. This is to remind me that I am in control of my thoughts and no one else.

Like the last time boredom hit, I went outside for fresh air. I have noticed there is a different air you breathe in when you are outside compared to when you are indoors. Just watching cars and people, even having a moment with kids playing nearby, refreshed my perspective. By the time I got back inside, I felt rejuvenated with new thoughts, ready to make the day a productive one.

Sometimes, though, I don't feel like stepping outside, so I will dive into a good movie while shutting myself off from anything making me feel bored. I erase every thought in me and just focus. Horror and Bollywood action movies are my favourites because they pull me in completely and entertain me with them. By the time I am done with the movie, my body will return back to normal and that's it.

And then, there is the kitchen. Whenever I feel bored, cooking something delicious is a surefire way of setting my mood into a good one and making the day better. I love eating and wouldn't mind going into impulse spending when it comes to treating myself to unique meals.

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It is at this moment of my boredom that I would crave something different and make sure it is prepared and served. By doing so, I feel grateful for the provision while channelling the energy on what I am preparing and in the end, I feel active again when any boredom or negativity has melted away.

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