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 matters01:02 – Why it’s hard to say “I’m bored” out loud as an adult02:20 – The connection between boredom, desire, and overstimulation04:56 – The endless scroll: how digital life keeps us from experiencing boredom07:43 – Boredom and restlessness as a signal—not a problem09:19 – The paradox: wanting to escape boredom while longing for slowness10:46 – Emotional intimacy, silence, and fear of being alone with our thoughts13:02 – Boredom in grief, healing, and transitional seasons14:38 – Avoidance behaviors: organizing, online shopping, numbing, fixing17:40 – The difference between gentle distraction and true avoidance19:01 – Making space for “boring” moments without needing to optimize them20:27 – What we miss when we bypass boredom21:10 – Bringing reverence to the ordinary: boredom as a bridge to creativity23:15 – Guided practice: welcoming boredom & softening into stillness27:50 – Closing reflections: the gift of doing nothingResources we mentioned in the episode: Kristine’s Substack article Let Yourself Be Bored.Elise’s puzzle book DisarrayKristine's snail mail project Proud of YouOut of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom by James DanckertBored and Brilliant by Manoush ZomorodiHow to Do Nothing by Jenny OdellTiny Floral Arrangement Video by Elise ApffelConnect with Us:plainview.worldon Instagram @plai.nviewElise Joseph James – elisejosephjames.comKristine Claghorn – claggie.comYou can also find us over on Substack: Elise & KristineThe Episode 6 cover is a photo by Zachary Gray.

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