The incident of boredom imprisons, even negates the energy and will to reach for the positive power of interest, curiosity, progress and achievement. Boredom is when time stagnates or freezes - like balancing scales waiting to tip into negative, isolating depression or positive involvement in an activity. Boredom is when living in the moment equates with monotony. The meaning of life and personal purpose seem like remote abstracts.
Charlotte Whitton declared that "Boredom is like a pitiless zooming in on the epidermis of time. Every instant is dilated and magnified like the pores of the face." Boredom is an urge to break the static macro image with active, bombarding micro images. The trouble is, in a state of boredom, it can be difficult to find the potential, the transit star gate that connects the passive and the active. A sense of blindness sets in, denying any awareness of a way out.
The incident of boredom is like a thirst, a craving for some kind of physical shock. It is like an undervalued peace longing for some drama, some war of the senses. Even a physical, unknown danger looks like a desirable alternative to bland sameness. Interestingly, there seems to be minimal desire for a spiritual solution. And often, spiritual contentment has no value or understanding anyway.
The state of boredom is a symbol of inner discontent and stress. It is a sign that a person who has let boredom take control believes that any form of happiness can only be achieved outside the self. It's a fear of being locked in to a state of "nothingness".
Sheer will power is needed to break the incident of boredom. But that will power seems to have varying levels of laudable commitment according to age group.
Teenagers are renowned for the "I'm bored" syndrome. When they announce their state of mind, it is as if they expect someone else to provide a solution. If that solution is not found, the bored teenagers can move from scenarios of frustration, to moodiness, to "sleep escape" and perhaps finally to depression. At worst, they may embark on a destructive rampage (often of property) with other like-minded teenagers. Teenage will power tends to rely on and expects instant, often temporary gratification with minimal respect for the general community.
So why is boredom a feature of the teenage world? The article "Terence Blacker: We need to wage war on teenage boredom" in the UK's "The Independent" states:
"Summer hits the bored teenager hard. The grown-ups have their holidays or their careers. Smaller children rest after the summer term and perhaps re-acquaint themselves with their parents. It is those in between, beyond childhood but yet to be granted full entry to the adult world, who are often left adrift. They have no work and nothing to do. Youth, hormones and boredom mix dangerously."
In short, it seems that loose ends become loose cannons.
Less well known is the incident of boredom in adults. Perhaps that is because adults are consumed more with family and work responsibilities, so there is less time to reflect on boredom. But notably, adults diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are most prone to the incident of boredom. Such adults may resort to impulsive actions, distractions, procrastination and hyperactivity to countermand boredom or their fear of boredom. It is advisable that such adults choose a career path with a variety of challenges that suit their personality and attitudes. It is suggested that where possible, "boring" tasks should be completed in the morning, (when energy levels are at an optimum), leaving the more "interesting" tasks as a goal/reward for the afternoon.
The hardest question of all is how to prevent the incident of boredom. The answer tends to be a guide rather than an absolute truth. Avoid letting inner mental spirals, rituals, motions and habits dominate your lifestyle. Internal attitudes and external experiences should work together to create a varied lifestyle. Passivity and complacency lead to boredom. Personal drive and a will to secure quality experiences set the framework for an interesting, "non boredom" reality.
Bibliography
"The Independent" http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/te rence-blacker/terence-blacker-we-need-to-wage-war-on -teenage-boredom-457004.html Friday 13th July, 2007
Attention Deficit Disorder Association http://www.add.org/articles/worktraps.html
10 Ways to Conquer Boredom http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/10-ways-to -conquer-boredom-and-feeling-too-busy.html