Ep 94 Creativity: The lost art of boredom

Show notes

In this episode, Stephen explores a counterintuitive but powerful idea: boredom is essential to creativity. Drawing from personal experience, recent studies, and real-life reflection, he unpacks how our overstimulated, always-on lifestyles are killing the very conditions that spark original thinking. If your creativity feels stalled, this one might be your wake-up call.

Why this matters:

Creativity isn’t just about what you produce—it’s about how you think. And today, constant digital stimulation is crowding out the quiet moments we need to wander, wonder, and connect ideas.

Key Segments:

1. The Spark: A Decline in Creativity

• Creativity scores have been declining for 25 years.

• Kids are naturally creative—so what changed?

• Schools, tech, parenting, and media are all suspects, but the real issue might be simpler: boredom is vanishing.

2. What a Day Looks Like Now

• Stephen maps a typical day filled wall-to-wall with devices and distractions.

• From wake-up to bedtime, we’re never alone with our thoughts.

• Even bathrooms and elevators come with screens.

3. Boredom Is the Breeding Ground for Ideas

• When we’re bored, our brains start stitching ideas together.

• This space is often when insights surface and dots connect.

• Shower thoughts are real: boredom invites creative problem-solving.

4. Why We Resist Stillness

• We equate boredom with laziness or lack of productivity.

• In truth, boredom creates the cognitive space creativity requires.

5. How to Reclaim Boredom

• Take breaks with no tech: walks, workouts, quiet moments.

• Turn off music or podcasts during drives or dog walks.

• Sketch, meditate, or just sit in silence with a single thought or question.

• Schedule “bored meetings” in your calendar.

6. Be Deliberate About Thinking

• Creativity isn’t just execution. It’s exploration, stillness, and wandering.

• Structure your boredom: explore a specific insight, challenge, or curiosity.

7. Your Challenge:

• Stephen ends the episode early—on purpose.

• He gives you the next 15-20 minutes back. Don’t fill it. Don’t scroll. Don’t multitask.

• Just be bored. Think. See where it goes.

Closing Truth:

“In a world obsessed with output, the real flex is having time to think. Make boredom part of your process.”

Call to Action:

• Reflect on your day: where can you create moments of stillness?

• Try one technique this week. See what it opens up.

Tagged as:
boredom and creativity creative process creative productiv creative spark creative thinking creativity decline digital engagement finding inspiration fostering creativity reclaiming boredom Stephen Gates technology impact The Crazy One podcast