Finding some boredom in everyday technology

Finding some boredom in everyday technology

Today, I am on my usual 7.31 train, sat amongst people I have seen every morning for the last few months. The difference is I am sat without knowing their name, or anything about them—most, not even the sound of their voice. I also notice that I am within around three quarters of people in the carriage looking down at some form of technology.

One table of four, all on laptops preparing for the day ahead, staring intently with a frown on their faces. My table, all on their phones—the burrow between their eyes equally as deep.

This leads me to think of the number of hours I have in my day, and how many of them I spend on my phone; I don’t even like to calculate (but I have an idea—it’s a lot by the way.)

In the office, I stare at my computer for, give-or-take, eight hours, but aside from that my phone is the item I always have with me. It is unusual to see me without it in my hands. It’s almost like I can’t escape with the continuous reminders from Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, lighting up in front of me. I often get frustrated at myself by the distraction (some may say procrastination) and throw it in my bag—you can guarantee within 10 minutes it is mysteriously in front of me again!

With so much to do on this small square I hold before me, it seems as though people of the technology age are never ‘bored.’ But is this a good thing?

Boredom offers time to think for yourself—without all the answers from Google; the entertainment from Netflix; and the encouragement from Instagram. Boredom can be a time when creation happens, and boredom can be a time when innovation happens.

I remember as a child, we didn’t actually own a TV. Not because we couldn’t, but because my mum wanted us to ‘play.’ My friends found it weird, but I was at home each Easter making homemade baskets for everyone in the class, or at Christmas making cards for all my family members and friends. It’s actually surprising how bad I am at art and crafts—it was the thought that counts though, eh?

I see children now put in front of a TV (and I am not a mother, so by no means am I judging,) but it feels a bit sad that the art of ‘finding something to do,’ might be lost. Going out to ‘play’ that doesn’t involve video games, TV or YouTube. It pains me to see a child at a dinner table with the TV playing on their parents’ phones—I was the child that had to sit there with the adults, pretending to understand their adult jokes, and I think that’s a good thing—part of growing up and showing the importance of human interaction.

Don’t get me wrong, life is different now. Technology is a revolution—it is developing daily and allowing us as a planet to develop too. Running an office and a business without technology is unthinkable—speaking as someone in their early 20’s who has always had this luxury. It is amazing, and quite mind-boggling to think where we will be in 20 years’ time.

My thought for today, and my message to you, would be, although technology is an integral part of life, be aware of your usage. Just for today (to start with,) take the time to put it away for the day and actually talk to that stranger you see every day on the train. Turn your phone onto aeroplane mode, and avoid looking at social media, see what else you can achieve in this time—even if it just a moment to indulge in your own thoughts. Delay Netflix till tomorrow, and have an evening of conversation with your other half, your friend or a family member.

Are you bored? Accept and appreciate that feeling, who knows where it may lead.