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Ask HN: How to Beat Boredom?

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Re: Ask HN: How to Beat Boredom?

#21
I love this question! I especially like that you point out to not being stressed or depressed.

How cool is it at a time where no one seems to have time and is depressed and stressed to experience boredom? Boredom sounds 90s, a time in which people practiced humanity! The world lays at your feet. Be active - draw, read books, go out, taste red wine, be creative, do photography, learn photoshop, play an instrument, get involved in an intense relationship with a friend, listen to classic music really loud, go an adventures and enjoy it. And enjoy boredom!

Re: Ask HN: How to Beat Boredom?

#22
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 worl…

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.

Re: Ask HN: How to Beat Boredom?

#23

Can't really recommend it, but I never feel bored when I drink. Some philosopher(s) noted that boredom and terror are the two basic states of consciousness. I try to find useful distractions.

>Some philosopher(s) noted

Source?

>boredom and terror are the two basic states of consciousness.

What about happiness? Joy? Gee, believing that is no way to live. Even, say, Samuel Johnson, Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer I don't think were quite that dark.

Re: Ask HN: How to Beat Boredom?

#24

Can't really recommend it, but I never feel bored when I drink. Some philosopher(s) noted that boredom and terror are the two basic states of consciousness. I try to find useful distractions.

>Some philosopher(s) noted Source? >boredom and terror are the two basic states of consciousness. What about happiness ? Joy? Gee, believing that is no way to live. Even, say, Samuel Johnson, Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer I don't think were quite that dark.

I was thinking of Schopenhauer. And it's actually pain rather than terror, which should make us all feel a bit better.

I suppose he would argue that happiness is transitory, as is terror (usually).

“The basis of all willing is need, lack, and hence pain, and by its very nature and origin it is therefore destined to pain. If, on the other hand, it lacks objects of willing, because it is at once deprived of them again by too easy a satisfaction, a fearful emptiness and boredom comes over it; in other words, its being and its existence itself becomes an intolerable burden for it. Hence life swings like pendulum to and fro between pain and boredom, and these two are in fact it has ultimate constituents.” (The World as Will and Representation)

Re: Ask HN: How to Beat Boredom?

#26
Build a small aquarium and learn to care for the fish. No more than 10 fish. It's almost a zen exercise.

Boredom is good, its very hard to get bored these days with so many things needlessly wanting our attention.

But definitely try the aquarium.

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