Saturday, April 12, 2008

Boredom

Boredom is a funny thing.  I don't think I've been bored (maybe once, like reeeeeally bored) since summer vacations of my elementary school days.  

There are different types of boredom: situative boredom, repetitive boredom, and existentialist boredom, according to the most modern theory about boredom.  Creative boredom, ironically -- forces you to do something.  When boredom digs in deep, we tend to do things "out of the ordinary" just to get out of it.  We get stuck in the now, which is empty  and lacks personal meaning, and we want out.  Perhaps career changes or self-destructive behavior is the result of this feeling.  I used to think that boredom meant that I needed more things to do, but I can be very entertained "doing nothing" and sit around in the park people-watching.  I can also have tons of deadlines and work to do and be very bored because I donn't fine the work enjoyable .

Is it our fault when we're bored?  Emotions happen to us, but if we don't do something about it, then boredom has dictated our lives -- so in a way, yes.  I see this an an opportunity for something great, though.  If we are so bored with, say, executing and creating the same paintings or drawings we've been doing then it will drive us to take risks in our work thus leading (at least we hope) to something more exciting.  I'm convinced that it always come down to process over product.  

Another side note about boredom is that more men complain about boredom than women, but women complain more about depression.  However they may be describing the same thing as both are experience a lack of personal meaning or lack of satisfaction in regards to their world.  Maybe? Alas, perhaps this is the impetus of some blogs.  However, today it's not about boredom more than it is about procrastination (and maybe a little dose of ADD).

Perhaps this is the impetus of some blogs.  But today, it's not about boredom, it's more about procrastination.  Perhaps this is the impetus of some blogs.  But today, it's not about boredom, it's more about procrastination.