Whether you find yourself walking around campus, riding a bus, or even waiting in line at McDonalds, it’s become increasingly apparent that these quiet moments that once sparked communication and connection, have become just another opportunity for stimulation.
For most of us, it’s become a habit to pull out our phone and scroll whenever the opportunity arises, the constant drive to keep our minds engaged to avoid uncomfortable thoughts or feelings of unproductiveness, and through these social constructs, boredom has become something we avoid at all costs.
To understand this trend, we must first understand the idea of the attention economy.
This term refers to big corporations treating human attention as a scarce, monetized commodity where digital platforms compete for engagement to generate revenue. Short form content such as Tik Tok and Instagram Reels make it quick and easy to engage with social media in dull moments, paired with constant notifications that create a sense of urgency and a ‘fear of missing out’.
Both work to create these habits of compulsive usage. According to a study conducted by Statistics Canada published in March 2026, one in three (37 per cent) youth reported exceeding daily screen time recommendations, those same youth reported poorer mental and physical wellbeing outcomes nearing the end of the study several years later.
In simpler terms, we have become so used to constantly consuming media that moments of silence with our thoughts are becoming fewer and farther apart, making boredom something to avoid rather than a normal part of everyday life.
Boredom, as discussed, typically carries a negative connotation with it, so it is rare that people recognize its absence as a problem. This notion is false;, boredom actually plays an important cognitive role. Boredom prompts the brain to seek stimulation, which in turn fosters creativity and allows the time for thoughts and ideasto fully develop without too much interruption.
Circling back, most of our problem-solving skills, along with emotional processing, occurs during those quiet moments sitting on campus or waiting in line, however it is often disrupted by our need to distract ourselves through technology.
So, if boredom can be this beneficial, why do we do everything in our power to avoid it?
Moving just past the fact that algorithms and social media platforms are designed with the intention of keeping us engaged, and cellphones provide almost instantaneous distraction from the unproductive feeling that comes along with being bored. Considering all of this, it is really no surprise that the idea of sitting with our thoughts and doing ‘nothing’ can spur feelings of anxiety or restlessness; we are simply not used to it anymore.
Laurier’s campus is not exempt from this phenomenon, common instances that have become the social norm such as scrolling between lectures, walking with headphones constantly in, or multitasking during lectures to increase productivity. These occurrences are so widely accepted it’s become the social norm, and that’snot to say any of the previous examples are inherently unhealthy or bad, but they do further the argument that avoiding boredom and the need for constant stimulation has made its way into even the most mundane tasks.
Taking all of this into account, it can be argued that boredom is not only something that we experience, but something that we have learned to fear, or at the very least something we subconsciously avoid.
Yet the solution may be simpler than it seems. Anything from journaling to something as simple as leaving your phone in your pocket on a walk can help reintroduce these quiet moments back into daily life, and in doing so, learn to appreciate its value.
Contributed Photo/Sheryl Madakkai
