It doesn’t happen often, but yesterday I was bored. I shake my head involuntarily just reading that word because quite frankly “boredom” or “boring” or “bored” is a word we don’t use in my household. I don’t know what teacher taught me this, but boredom (boring bored) is a sign of an uncreative mind.
In 281 words I will offer three simple tips that work everytime to re-engage you with life. The story I tell in those 281 words may delight and inspire, so I suggest staying the course.
It is with that confession I come to you baring my tired soul to tell you how simply it was to snap out of it.
I logged onto twitter to review my morning #sitsblogging chat links and discovered in my trending sidebar #poemcrawl was trending.
Because I am a poet, this intrigued me so I immediately clicked and was captivated and promptly entered the poemcrawl which I incorrectly hashtagged as #poetrycrawl and once as #poemcrazy but because of the ecstatic state I entered rather smoothly, I didn’t care if I got any of it wrong or pissed off any poet perfectionists out there, I was just splattering words into less than 140 character combinations and quickly oozing my way from the “b word” state I was in.
I wrote:
surrendering
in the midst of
torn blankets &
last weeks dog hair
matted in the entryway corner
she hesitates to
fetch the broom
(and)
did I do this right?
People get upset way too fast
how illiterate do I appear
will that academic scoff
at my deconstruction?
(and)
In her teen wisdom she said
"You've loved each other so long -
why don't you just
see this love thru?
(I don't get adults!)
These fun mini poems were written and tweeted before the “right” way was explained to me. I laughed and continued to write.
This #poemcrawl fascination
has only begun to spur her
fancy - her word love into
spasms, overtures, lusty
vowels and soft swishes
(and)
misplaced apostrophes &
selfish words take their place
on the podium. Confession,
Obsession, Condescension.
Scolding eyes scowl
I read other poems, I connected with other poets, I switched from being disengaged to smiling and happy and best of all, immersed in serious creative flow.
All of this is great, yes, but to benefit you in your next moment of (hear me whisper *boredom*) take these steps:
- Realize you are not “napping” because you are tired, you are hiding out because you have disengaged. Re-engaging includes letting go of perfection (exhausting) and connecting with fun (exhilarating.)
- Be open to any possible path back into engagement with life. Does that mean a conversation with friends? Perhaps painting or drawing? Reading a book? Visiting blogs? Any path will work if you remain open. For me, it meant visiting twitter.
- Take action on the openings you find. An old and treasured principle I follow is this: insight with action has nearly no meaning. Insight coupled with passionate action brings results beyond my imaginings.
Are you ready to re-engage with life and stop blaming “boredom” for your frame of mind? Passionate action in the direction of what delights you. It works every time.
Writing prompts and more for your creative inspiration
Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world. She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed-media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people's creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in Spring, 2015 and beyond.
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