Gen Z is labeled as the generation addicted to constant stimulation — and in a culture built on quick dopamine hits, boredom is vilified. Armed with infinite social media scrolls and an array of content platforms, they always have tools to fend off the so-called “enemy,” whether it’s TikTok hacks promising overnight glow-ups or the badge of honor of saying, “I binge-watched an entire Netflix series in a single sitting.” These behaviors aren’t just normalized; they’re glorified.
The societal pressures of “always-on” culture push us to be productive and stay constantly plugged into the digital world, leaving little room for stillness. For Gen Z, social media isn’t just entertainment — it’s a multitasking machine for staying in the know with trends and building your personal brand, all while claiming scroll-time as “relaxation” time. There’s always something to keep up with. Who even has time for boredom anyway?
The truth is, boredom isn’t the enemy — it’s the secret to living a more inspired life. Those overlooked moments without a screen unlock creativity, spark inspiration and offer a whole lot more than time devoted to “brain rot.”
Find Joy in the Everyday
It’s ironic, then, that TikTok creators have mastered the art of romanticizing the mundane. Documenting “insignificant” moments like work commutes, running errands and other “Day In the Life” snippets aren’t just short-lived trends for content creation. “Main character energy” transforms banal life routines into opportunities for creative mindfulness. Creators aren’t just elevating their own everyday moments, they’re also turning innocuous offline activities, like people-watching, into an art form. Accounts like @subwayhands find inspiration in ordinary, daily practices, like the morning commute. But it’s not just content creators who see the potential in familiarity. Gen Zers everywhere are finding ways to elevate their routines.
Gabrielle Swanton, 24, a social content manager based in New York, names the subway as her favorite space for inspiration. “You never know who you’re going to see,” she says. “People from all walks of life congregate in one space together, which is so unique.” Like Gaby, I’ve found that travel is a sacred space for imagination. Free from any defined purpose other than arriving at my destination, walks, road trips, airplanes and train rides are moments where I give myself the space to daydream and let my mind wander.
In a society where productivity is put on a pedestal, boredom is dismissed as wasted time, and having too much makes you, in the eyes of some, a lazy person. Yet moments of uninterrupted time — like the ones Gaby described — should be sought out. It’s all about intention: purposefully freeing yourself from distraction, observing people with curiosity and giving yourself the space to savor what’s in front of you.
William Simmons, a 24-year-old brand and motion designer in New York, constantly finds inspiration in the small details — something that comes naturally as a creative. Recently, while we were walking together, I noticed him lingering behind to snap photos of restaurant signage that caught his eye with its logo design. “We’re inspired by everything we experience,” he explains. “I walk all the time. It’s more so a shortcut to a mindful and peaceful way of thinking, which allows you to be more observant, more imaginative, less judgmental and more optimistic.”
When Boredom Becomes a Creative Challenge
With the advent of AI tools, technology is glamorized as the magical short-cut for problem-solving, and even creative inspiration. Stuck in a routine rut? Go to TikTok for activity ideas. In an outfit rotation loop? Pull up Pinterest. Although technology and social media can certainly spark an idea, the truth is that technology is often just the medium for expressing ideas. Eduardo Morales, 26, a digital analyst in Santa Monica, loves experimenting with up-and-coming technology. He says he uses tools like AI and social media, “after I am already inspired by something else.” Eduardo’s real inspiration comes from cracking the problem itself, and boredom can be a useful prompt.
Boredom is a powerful tool for sparking creativity, but too much can put you in a rut. Sometimes, taking action is the best way to combat monotony. Treating boredom like a problem to solve, and creating a solution — whether it’s going on a walk, putting pen to paper or even creating something tangible — is when the best ideas and inspiring breakthroughs happen.
Among some members of Gen Z, there is nostalgia for the days of the pandemic lockdown. New hobbies, personal discoveries and even epiphanies blossomed. I vividly remember completing my semester of college classes and thinking, “So, now what?” Ennui from endless hours of nothing to do transformed into action when I pulled out my childhood watercolor set. Painting reconnected me with an inner-child superpower: the ability to create without fear of failure. Picking up a paintbrush gave me the confidence to explore a new medium, like Adobe Illustrator, reminding me that boredom isn’t the end. It’s an opportunity to learn new things about yourself and explore fresh ideas.
Choose Boredom, Take on a New Mindset
Hey, I get it — algorithms have perfected the art of capturing your attention. It’s almost too easy to fall down a rabbit hole. But the next time a lull tempts you to dive into the digital void, perhaps take a different approach. Use your boredom as an opportunity to discover something new.
One way to do this is to try the romanticizer and observer mindset: Take a moment to actively observe the details in your surroundings and appreciate the interactions around you, whether it’s with humans or nature. Make everyday moments feel bigger and treat everything — whether it’s your commute or grocery shopping — as a source of inspiration.
Or try test driving the problem solver mindset: Step away from looking for quick-fix solutions and channel your boredom into an action, like running, painting or taking on a lingering issue. You may have a long-term creative breakthrough by tackling the boredom you’re experiencing in the moment right now.
