Boredom: is it necessary?

Boredom is a sensation that is generally unwelcome. It may be uncomfortable, but is it really insignificant? After all, boredom is a common experience, especially in today's world where we have various distractions to keep us entertained. So, why should we care about boredom? However, here's the catch. While pain and heartbreak are also uncomfortable, they are usually caused by serious reasons. On the other hand, boredom arises when one is disinterested in the external world and their own thoughts, and often when they are alone.

Is it because there something wrong with us, or because something remarkable is about our nature? Almost two centuries ago, Giacomo Leopardi wrote to his father, stating that "boredom is the most sublime of all human emotions because it signifies that the human spirit, in a way, surpasses the entire universe. The philosopher Walter Benjamin once said, "Boredom is the dream bird that hatches the egg of experience. "

Boredom reflects a deep despair stemming from the inability to find something that can satisfy the limitless needs of the soul." While boredom may appear trivial, childish, or even impolite to acknowledge, one thing is certain - boredom is not dull. When bored, brain activity only decreases by about 5%, and brain scans of individuals experiencing boredom actually show increased activity in areas related to recalling memories, understanding others' thoughts and emotions, and imagining hypothetical scenarios.

It is a state that prompts us to reflect on ourselves, notice overlooked details, and motivate us to engage in productive activities such as cleaning, writing, trying new hobbies, thus challenging our minds.

The feeling of boredom motivates us to seek out new experiences and regain excitement, and when it continues, a tendency towards boredom suggests a strong intellect. This is advantageous because those who have experienced it have achieved more and thrived, leading to the emergence of similar individuals who are sensitive to feelings of boredom.