I wrongly assumed boredom no longer exists (If I become a 1000 years old I still do not have the time to do the things I want and I only do things I want now... But I have ideas for 5 more projects daily and have had that since about my 10th. My friends more or less have the same thing); that assumption seems to be incorrect. How widespread would this be I wonder. I have seen it far more in poorer countries (2nd world?) because people have boring jobs or no jobs and spend their time hoping it will pass fast, so drink a lot and browse facebook all day.
There was no question of whether if it's a 2nd world issue or not, nor did I assure it isn't. Boredom is inevitable to humans, everyone has to go through it. We just have to find ways to keep us out of long stretches of boredom!
>Boredom is inevitable to humans, everyone has to go through it. We just have to find ways to keep us out of long stretches of boredom!
Well no, this isn't true! Gee. I haven't been bored in like 30 years. There are so many things to do in this world - now the problem is I need more lifetimes to do them all. Like 5 or 6 at least. Then I always have a good book on me, if I have to wait in an office or something. And a notebook to write down ideas. (I've never had a mobile phone) Plus I'm a musician, so can always play in my head. (It feels just like playing a real piano or guitar.) And I learnt to draw and paint, and learnt how little we usually see things, so I can spend hours looking at the details of a scene. Then there's reminiscing, making plans, talking to myself in Spanish–a language I'm learning etc etc.
Hmm also years ago I read about that what is unpleasant about boredom is rebelling against it. If you just accept it and sit with it, it's fascinating. (The suggestion to meditate is a great one. Focus on your breathing. Just keep returning to that. Stop judging your thoughts!) I developed a way of not waiting e.g. for buses. Waiting is unpleasant–but just being there isn't - it's wonderful. Waiting is a state of mind, a state of lack, not having what you want. (The way spiritual seekers define themselves as not having what they want! But always seeking it.. I stopped doing that too.) I could go on, but in short - develop your mind and your life.
