In our dopamine-driven world, productivity and stimulation are the standard. Boredom can feel like a problem to avoid, which we can do easily now by scrolling our days away. But what if boredom is actually an important signal? One that can lead to creativity, presence, and emotional clarity? In this episode of Plain View, Kristine and Elise explore the lost art of boredom: why we avoid it, what it stirs up in us, and how learning to sit with it might reconnect us to what we actually need.
They reflect on the psychology of boredom, its link to desire and discomfort, and how overstimulation might be making it harder for us to feel fulfilled.
The episode also includes a short guided practice written by Kristine to help you welcome boredom not as something to fix, but as something to listen to.
Timestamps & Key Topics:
00:00 – Welcome & theme intro: Why boredom matters
01:02 – Why it’s hard to say “I’m bored” out loud as an adult
02:20 – The connection between boredom, desire, and overstimulation
04:56 – The endless scroll: how digital life keeps us from experiencing boredom
07:43 – Boredom and restlessness as a signal—not a problem
09:19 – The paradox: wanting to escape boredom while longing for slowness
10:46 – Emotional intimacy, silence, and fear of being alone with our thoughts
13:02 – Boredom in grief, healing, and transitional seasons
14:38 – Avoidance behaviors: organizing, online shopping, numbing, fixing
17:40 – The difference between gentle distraction and true avoidance
19:01 – Making space for “boring” moments without needing to optimize them
20:27 – What we miss when we bypass boredom
21:10 – Bringing reverence to the ordinary: boredom as a bridge to creativity
23:15 – Guided practice: welcoming boredom & softening into stillness
27:50 – Closing reflections: the gift of doing nothing
Resources we mentioned in the episode:
Connect with Us:
plainview.world
on Instagram @plai.nview
Elise Joseph James – elisejosephjames.com
Kristine Claghorn – claggie.com
You can also find us over on Substack: Elise & Kristine
The Episode 6 cover is a photo by Zachary Gray.
