Get bored with me: The BearBored Challenge
This post was inspired by Sit.
What is this?
I am bored. I want to get bored a bit more. Get bored with me. Come join.
The goal?
The goal of the challenge is to waste time. To be as unproductive. To "bear the boredness". (I swear I could think of a better name)
You will need...
- A timer (I use the iPhone built-in Clock app. Feel free to choose your own.)
- A notebook / sheets of paper
- A pen
How to get started:
Step 1: Decide on how long you want to get bored. 15-60 minutes. 5-12 sessions with each session 3-5 minutes long.
Step 2: Write down on your notebook a list of numbers from 1 to X. (X = the number of sessions you chose).
Optional: Write down the exact time when a session ends. This helps you keep track of the sessions.
It should look like this:
1.54:59
2.49:59
3.44:59
4.39:59
5.34:59
6.29:59
7.24:59
8.19:59
9.14:59
10.9:59
11.4:59
12.0:00
Step 3: Start the timer, do nothing and get bored.
Step 4: When each session ends, think of one word that captures the theme of that session. It can be a noun, a verb, an adjective; an emotion, an action, some random vocabulary. Your choice! Write that word down next to the numbered list.
Mine looked like this today:
1.54:59 Distraction
2.49:59 Awareness
3.44:59 Sunset
4.39:59 Stories
5.34:59 Doze
6.29:59 Slip
7.24:59 Write
8.19:59 Pause
9.14:59 Stare
10.9:59 Peaceful
11.4:59 Proud
12.0:00 Mindful
That is all!
Note:
These are rules I follow when I am doing the challenge. Feel free not to.
No usage of pen and paper besides writing down the keyword. By all means think but let your thoughts slip. Do not write them down. The goal is to be unproductive.
Try not to doze off during the challenge.
Try not to engage in any other activities besides sitting or pacing. Pause the timer if you need to drink water or adjust your posture.
I have been trying this for a couple of days. Turns out getting bored for an hour is way harder than, say, focusing on a textbook and study for an hour. I want to post this to see if anyone is interested in such a format. Write me emails about what more I can do to get the most out of this challenge. Feel free to join me on this journey as well. Let me know if you do!