I started thinking along these lines when I read an eassay about boredom in "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women" by Kristine Carlson.

When we get bored, our immediate thought is that our life is empty and needs to be spiced up. We try to distract ourselves by searching out more activity and stimulus. I simply hate being at loose ends. And one phrase I hate to hear from my kids is, "I'm bored!" I sometimes take it upon myself to rush around finding something for them to do that they'd accept as "fun" and it isn't always easy. I feel as if I've taken a lot upon myself by choosing the homeschool lifestyle and I somehow "owe it to them" to keep their lives boredom free. Other times, I say, "Well go and find something to do," and that makes me feel guilty too, as if I'm somehow falling short in my job.

Kris Carlton mentioned how virtually everyone complains about having too much to do, yet when we get bored, our immediate response is to look around to find even more! It's a vicious cycle of the western world which seems to have no end in sight. She suggests that we simply sit with it for awhile and observe the sorts of thoughts that pass through our minds.

When we're bored, our attention tends to be focused on the past or future, on what's missing or could be better. Boredom is nothing but a trick of the mind, a man-made notion that life would be better and more fulfilling if something else is happening. It's caused by being taught to fill every spare moment with some sort of activity from a very early age. Many of us get used to the "What's Next?" mentality by the time we're into adolescence because we're so used to looking to parents or teachers to tell us what must be done next.

She suggests simply bringing your attention back to the present and reminding yourself of the importance of living in the moment. It makes sense to me. I like my lifestyle. I like homeschooling, writing, looking after the house. In moments of boredom, I simply have to carry on with the life I've got and remind myself that boredom is just a temporary mind-trick, that life is already great and there's nothing I have to do to make it any better.

Hmmm, it's worth a try.