Lynda Barry’s advice column and her response to this question:
Dear Lynda,
When you get bored, and you're so bored you don't even want to do anything to break up the boredom—it's that creeping, infectious boredom that's kind of like an anger—how do you avoid drinking too much?
Thanks,
Tipsy in Texas
Generally have been thinking a lot about childhood boredom (not the depressive insidious boredom + drudgery of modern adult life that is referred to here), the function of it, and how there’s all these pop psych methods about ~getting in touch with your inner child~ but I think it could also be helpful to just allow yourself to be bored sometimes. Not a cell phone in sight type vibes. Literally watch some mf paint dry. I built worlds from boredom as a child. Summer is the perfect time to be bored.
Boredom > Noticing > Attention > Presence
Jul 4, 2024
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I have distinct memories as a kid of laying on the couch in the summer in my childhood home staring at the ceiling in pure boredom. That hasn’t happened to me in years, or not until I worked in Idaho without service. The pressure of that boredom helped me read books again, and that anxious nothing to do made me productive!! I’m not quite sure how to rechannel, let me know if you have tips, but I’m trying to let myself get bored again and get off the damn phone!!!!!!!!
Apr 20, 2025
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“But boredom is when life happens.
Boredom is when you do the dishes, run the errand you’ve been putting off, respond to the text you’ve left on read. Boredom is when you bring a book to read on the subway or make small talk with the person in front of you in line about how slow the pharmacy is. Boredom is when you do the things that make you feel like you have life under control.”
Apr 2, 2025
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no one is bored, everything is boring. making time in your day to be decidedly bored, unoccupied, off your phone, wandering lousily, a tiny bit lazy, and creative is very refreshing.
May 19, 2025
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Feb 28, 2025
Currently have three full pages in my notebook! I guess some might call this a gratitude journal LOL but it’s different when I do it.
My brother was telling me about this phenomenon called “target fixation”. It’s a panic reflex that happens when motorcyclists become fixated on a singular object, obstacle, hazard (e.g. a sharp curve on a winding road) and they will unconsciously steer in the direction of the thing they’re trying to avoid because their hands follow their gaze which leads to accidents.
You will follow your gaze so be aware of where you’re looking. Train yourself to seek out pleasure and appreciation! Understanding where + what you derive pleasure from increases your capacity to enjoy things which in turn makes you a more interesting person (imo). I think it’s just as important self-knowledge as understanding your triggers/trauma. It is a daily willingness to be transformed by small things.
Sorry for lecturing but I want good things for all of you.
Xoxo,
meg
Mar 29, 2024
everyone in the audience giggling and squealing!
if you’re looking for a gf I highly recommend going… the ladies are leaving the theater lustful and ready to be courted
Apr 24, 2025