As a writer, I used to believe that I needed constant inspiration—an endless stream of Pinterest boards, beautifully curated aesthetics, and thought-provoking articles to fuel my creativity. But what I really needed was boredom.
Breaking the Habit of Constant Stimulation
When I quit my corporate job and transitioned to being a full-time writer and stay-at-home mom, I unknowingly developed a bad habit: filling every single spare moment with my phone.
- Standing in line? Scroll.
- Waiting for my son to wake up from a nap? Scroll.
- A moment of quiet? Scroll.
I told myself that I was “researching” or “finding inspiration,” but in reality, I was overstimulating my brain and leaving no room for my own thoughts. The more I consumed, the less creative I felt. Instead of developing fresh ideas, I found myself overwhelmed, uninspired, and stuck in comparison traps.
The Lightbulb Moment: Boredom Fuels Creativity
One day, I left my phone in another room while taking a walk. At first, it felt weird—I kept reaching for it, wanting to check something, listen to something, or scroll through something. But as I walked in silence, something surprising happened.
My mind started to wander.
I found myself thinking about my book ideas, untangling plot problems, and imagining new character interactions. Without the constant noise of social media, my brain had space to breathe.
That’s when I realized that boredom isn’t a bad thing. It’s a creative superpower.
How I Embrace Boredom to Boost Creativity
Instead of filling every moment with external content, I now give myself space to just think. Here’s how I do it:
✨ Letting my mind wander on walks – I walk without headphones, and instead of consuming a podcast or audiobook, I let my thoughts drift. Some of my best plot twists have come from these quiet moments.
✨ Daydreaming about my characters and stories – Instead of reaching for my phone first thing in the morning or while sipping coffee, I let myself daydream. I play out different scenarios for my characters, and sometimes, I surprise myself with new ideas.
✨ Journaling random thoughts – I used to only journal when I had something specific to write about. Now, I scribble down whatever comes to mind—ideas, fragments of dialogue, or even a single word that resonates with me. These random thoughts often spark my next big writing breakthrough.
From Consumer to Creator
Now, instead of consuming other people’s content all day, I create my own. I no longer feel like I need a perfectly curated aesthetic board or endless writing prompts to spark creativity. The best ideas don’t come from scrolling—they come from stillness.
So if you’re feeling creatively stuck, I challenge you: embrace boredom. Step away from your phone, sit in silence, and see where your thoughts take you. You might just unlock your next great idea.
Have you noticed a connection between boredom and creativity? Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️✨
Elizabeth Yuen 