Boredom creates space for creativity. At least, that's the idea that came to me about two months ago, long before COVID-19 forced our family into a boredom experiment.
Some of our children were spending a lot of time on their devices. I worried the hours they spent passively partaking in entertainment through screens would limit their progress academically, socially, physically, and spiritually. I wanted to try a screen time lockdown for an hour or two each day, hoping that when they weren't being fed entertainment, they'd purposefully seek out good things to do.
The word "anxious" implies discomfort. When we're uncomfortable, what do we do? We seek a more comfortable position.
Being uncomfortable pushes us to use our creativity to seek something better. Boredom is uncomfortable, so our natural response to boredom is to seek something to fill that tedious space. If a smartphone, computer, or TV is handy, it's easy to mindlessly scroll through apps, games, and shows. The uncomfortable boredom is temporarily numbed.
If a screen isn't available, we look to other means to pull us from boredom. We have to get creative. The likelihood we will pursue an interest or goal or recognize another's needs for love and attention increases when we're bored because it's an opportunity to look for fulfillment. True fulfillment comes from hard work, developing talents, and sharing love. I think being "anxiously engaged" means filling that uncomfortable, empty feeling that's sometimes labeled as boredom with "a good cause."
The boys did a little spa night, which only means they put on face masks.
Gavin is loving having nearly unlimited people to play with and things to do. He almost always falls asleep during family scripture study at night.
Brooklyn has always been one of Gavin's favorite playmates. With her home every day, they are busy, busy, busy. One afternoon last week, they set up a house on the front porch for their elaborate game of pretend.
I made zoodles (zucchini noodles) for the first time. I don't like zucchini, but these are tasty with spaghetti sauce. I'm not even joking. They're way better than basic pasta.
The boys figured out how to stack three inner tubes and get Andrew on top. They're missing swimming and playing outside together since Andrew hurt his knee over a week ago. We're waiting on insurance approval for an MRI this week.
Emily braided Brooklyn's hair too and when the braided were out, her hair held perfect curls for two days. (She didn't want to swim or shower to ruin them).
Even though life isn't perfect, we can find perfect moments.
Some of our children were spending a lot of time on their devices. I worried the hours they spent passively partaking in entertainment through screens would limit their progress academically, socially, physically, and spiritually. I wanted to try a screen time lockdown for an hour or two each day, hoping that when they weren't being fed entertainment, they'd purposefully seek out good things to do.
I like this scripture: "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward." (D&C 58:27-28)
The word, "anxiously" stands out right away. Is anybody else feeling anxious lately? It's not a great feeling. So why would being "anxiously engaged" be considered good?
The word "anxious" implies discomfort. When we're uncomfortable, what do we do? We seek a more comfortable position.
Being uncomfortable pushes us to use our creativity to seek something better. Boredom is uncomfortable, so our natural response to boredom is to seek something to fill that tedious space. If a smartphone, computer, or TV is handy, it's easy to mindlessly scroll through apps, games, and shows. The uncomfortable boredom is temporarily numbed.
If a screen isn't available, we look to other means to pull us from boredom. We have to get creative. The likelihood we will pursue an interest or goal or recognize another's needs for love and attention increases when we're bored because it's an opportunity to look for fulfillment. True fulfillment comes from hard work, developing talents, and sharing love. I think being "anxiously engaged" means filling that uncomfortable, empty feeling that's sometimes labeled as boredom with "a good cause."
Forced social isolation provides an opportunity to do "many things of our own free will." More than before, our children have autonomy over their schedules. They don't have a school bell ringing every forty-five minutes or so telling them to go to the next class or eat lunch or go home. Of course, the responsibilities are still there, but there's more flexibility in accomplishing daily tasks. And without sports practices, piano lessons, and other appointments, there's more free time. I like that the scripture says we have the "power to choose." Mundane choices seem to carry more weight with a word like power.
If we can choose, why not fight the boredom with activities that truly fulfill us? Why not take the opportunity to do the very best things? This is a lot easier if we are purposeful instead of passive. And it's much easier to be purposeful without the distraction of easy entertainment.
For all my thoughts about boredom leading to creativity, service, and stronger relationships; things haven't gone perfectly here in the Mergenthaler Bunker. My experimental hour-long screen lockdown lasted only a few days. In fact, the lockdown has turned into a near free-for-all with two hours or more of TV each afternoon because after helping five school-aged kids with distance learning on four different devices in several classes while unloading and reloading the dishwasher and gathering and washing a few loads of laundry, I'm pooped. Still, there have been a few sweet moments. I'll share one:
Getting Andrew to engage in distance learning has been a fight. He doesn't understand why he should push himself academically if his grades will stay the same. He doesn't want to complete assignments that don't interest him. It's true that some of the "enrichment activities" provided by his teachers could be labeled busy work. But others are worthwhile and I truly believe teachers are doing the best they can to provide appropriate learning activities for children. Andrew's English class is reading "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton. I love this book! And I knew Andrew would love it too if he'd just give it a try. But because it was a school assignment, he didn't want anything to do with it. Makayla saved the day by offering to read aloud to Andrew. In the last few days, they have spent hours out on the trampoline reading The Outsiders. Makayla does funny voices for the characters and Andrew now loves the book as much as Makayla and I.
I don't have a picture of Makayla and Andrew reading on the trampoline, but I managed to snap a few other shots over the last week. Like I said, we're not perfect, but I am noticing the kids interacting with each other more. Mostly, it's because they have to, but partly, it's because they genuinely like each other.
I cut the boys' hair. Andrew didn't want me to cut the top and I didn't want it hanging in his face, so Emily braided it for him.
If we can choose, why not fight the boredom with activities that truly fulfill us? Why not take the opportunity to do the very best things? This is a lot easier if we are purposeful instead of passive. And it's much easier to be purposeful without the distraction of easy entertainment.
For all my thoughts about boredom leading to creativity, service, and stronger relationships; things haven't gone perfectly here in the Mergenthaler Bunker. My experimental hour-long screen lockdown lasted only a few days. In fact, the lockdown has turned into a near free-for-all with two hours or more of TV each afternoon because after helping five school-aged kids with distance learning on four different devices in several classes while unloading and reloading the dishwasher and gathering and washing a few loads of laundry, I'm pooped. Still, there have been a few sweet moments. I'll share one:
Getting Andrew to engage in distance learning has been a fight. He doesn't understand why he should push himself academically if his grades will stay the same. He doesn't want to complete assignments that don't interest him. It's true that some of the "enrichment activities" provided by his teachers could be labeled busy work. But others are worthwhile and I truly believe teachers are doing the best they can to provide appropriate learning activities for children. Andrew's English class is reading "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton. I love this book! And I knew Andrew would love it too if he'd just give it a try. But because it was a school assignment, he didn't want anything to do with it. Makayla saved the day by offering to read aloud to Andrew. In the last few days, they have spent hours out on the trampoline reading The Outsiders. Makayla does funny voices for the characters and Andrew now loves the book as much as Makayla and I.
I don't have a picture of Makayla and Andrew reading on the trampoline, but I managed to snap a few other shots over the last week. Like I said, we're not perfect, but I am noticing the kids interacting with each other more. Mostly, it's because they have to, but partly, it's because they genuinely like each other.
I cut the boys' hair. Andrew didn't want me to cut the top and I didn't want it hanging in his face, so Emily braided it for him.
The boys did a little spa night, which only means they put on face masks.
Gavin is loving having nearly unlimited people to play with and things to do. He almost always falls asleep during family scripture study at night.
Brooklyn has always been one of Gavin's favorite playmates. With her home every day, they are busy, busy, busy. One afternoon last week, they set up a house on the front porch for their elaborate game of pretend.
I made zoodles (zucchini noodles) for the first time. I don't like zucchini, but these are tasty with spaghetti sauce. I'm not even joking. They're way better than basic pasta.
The boys figured out how to stack three inner tubes and get Andrew on top. They're missing swimming and playing outside together since Andrew hurt his knee over a week ago. We're waiting on insurance approval for an MRI this week.
Emily braided Brooklyn's hair too and when the braided were out, her hair held perfect curls for two days. (She didn't want to swim or shower to ruin them).
Even though life isn't perfect, we can find perfect moments.
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