The Science of Boredom

By Jhanvi Latheesh

Let’s be honest: boredom feels like brain torture.

Like when your teacher says “Let’s review photosynthesis” for the 73rd time. Or when you're stuck in a grocery line behind someone arguing with a coupon. That’s when your brain starts quietly yelling,

> “HELLO?? Can we please do literally anything else?”

But here’s the weird twist:

Boredom might actually be... awesome.

Seriously. When I’m bored, my brain doesn’t just shut off. It takes off like a raccoon with a jetpack. I start imagining I’m a secret agent with a jellybean blaster. Or that my (very imaginary) dog is actually an alien reporting back to Planet Barkatron.

Sometimes, I even daydream about winning a writing award and thanking my ceiling fan in the speech.

And guess what?

Science is on my side.

Boredom, they say, makes you creative. When your brain’s not busy doing math or decoding cafeteria mystery meat, it starts inventing stuff. So boredom is basically imagination fuel… with no expiration date.

Also? Your brain needs boring.

Think of it like your phone. If you keep running apps nonstop, eventually it freezes, crashes, and decides it hates you. Your brain’s the same. Boredom is like hitting the “refresh” button — no reboot required.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Boredom sometimes makes us act a little… odd. Like choreographing a dance battle against your closet door. Or having a deep, emotional chat with your pencil sharpener.

But hey, those weird little moments? That’s where great stories — or at least weird ones — are born.

So next time you're sitting in silence thinking, “This is the most boring moment in human history,” don't panic. Don’t scroll.

Let your brain wander. Let it go off-leash.

Because that blank, quiet space in your head?

That’s where the magic builds its treehouse.

And trust me — being bored is still way better than accidentally texting your math teacher a joke that was meant for your friend

By Jhanvi Latheesh