Boredom leads to creativity, allow it to flow and flourish

By Kaliyah Green

Boredom might just be the secret ingredient to creativity. Boredom is often seen as something to be avoided.

However, recent research and psychological theories suggest that boredom can play a role in sparking creativity. 

When we engage in monotonous activities or let our minds drift, we activate the default mode network in the brain, which is responsible for self-reflection, problem-solving and generating new ideas. 

An experiment conducted by psychologist Sandi Mann found that individuals who completed a boring task prior to solving a creative puzzle performed significantly better than those who plunged head-on into the puzzle. 

Why? Because boredom gave their minds the freedom to wander and make different possible possibilities beyond the obvious.

Being bored doesn’t mean you have to take a nap to sleep it off. Open up a notebook and start doodling; you might just find a new hobby that you enjoy doing in your free time. 

Boredom can provide the mental space needed for creativity to thrive. Some of the most creative breakthroughs come when we’re doing absolutely nothing—washing dishes, waiting in line or simply staring at the ceiling. 

Our brains crave stimulation and when it doesn’t come from the outside world, it starts generating its own. That’s when the magic happens.

We’re so used to scrolling through our phones, whether it’s Instagram or TikTok. We forget how powerful our own thoughts can be when left to wander. It’s in those quiet, unstructured moments that ideas take shape. 

While boredom can be a powerful trigger for creativity, it’s important to recognize that not all creativity stems from boredom. 

Some individuals are naturally imaginative and can generate ideas without needing idle time or mental stillness. These are the ones who seem to come up with something out of nothing—not because they’re bored, but because they have a natural creative drive.

In their instance, artistry is more a reflex than a response to tedium. While boredom might be the catalyst for ideas for most, it is not the sole means of innovation. 

Genius, inquisitiveness and passion can also ignite creativity, even during excitement or high energy levels. Boredom is a tool — but it’s not the only one in the creative toolbox. 

The average person spends several hours a day looking at screens, often multitasking between entertainment and communication. As a result, our brains are in a constant state of reaction rather than reflection. 

Without moments of mental pause, we lose access to the kind of thought patterns that foster originality and problem solving. Creativity requires time and space to wander, two things our modern routines rarely provide.

If you want to reclaim your creativity, you need to intentionally create moments of boredom. That might mean taking a walk without headphones or sitting quietly with a journal. While it may feel uncomfortable at first. Giving your mind time to be still can unlock a powerful inner world of imagination and insight.

Next time you feel that itch of boredom creeping in, don’t reach for your phone—reach for your imagination.