Why Gen Z Struggles With Boredom—And How To Change That

The other day, I was binge-watching my favourite show on an OTT platform. While the one-minute ads in between did manage to frustrate me to no end, I somehow ended up remembering the time when television would constantly play ads, and that somehow never seemed irritating.

How does even our limit for patience seem to fade away? In a world of instant connection, the term “isolation” feels almost alien. Some define isolation as living completely alone without anyone else, yet still using your phone to kind of connect with others. So, here’s a question for the readers: how long can you go without your phone?

Recently, my younger brothers shared how easily they get bored when they’re not using their phones. In a world of instant clicks and constant multitasking, sitting silently for even a few minutes by the window doing absolutely nothing feels overwhelming.

The constant urge to check our phones every few minutes has made us heavily dependent on technology. At times, we find it extremely difficult to part with our gadgets, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who have grown up surrounded by technology. Nowadays, it's quite common to see young children glued to their devices, intently watching something even while doing basic chores like eating.

 Is Gadget Addiction Getting Out Of Hand? 

After an exhausting day, our very first instinct is to grab our phones and watch Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. The algorithms are designed to deliver fast, dopamine-packed content. They engage users in a way that makes the brain start craving novelty every other minute.

The biggest disadvantage of constant social media scrolling is that our brain struggles to adjust to slower, quieter activities. Ironically, all this overstimulation has led to shorter attention spans. Gen Z’s attention span is now comparable to that of a goldfish, averaging around eight seconds, compared to twelve seconds for Millennials. 

I remember a time when I was lowkey enjoying scrolling through Reels on Instagram, yet I found it extremely difficult to read a novel or even watch a full movie in one sitting in that period of time. 

Is It Okay To Be Bored?

Boredom fuels creativity, boosts our patience, and enhances our concentration. Spending some time alone, without any digital distractions, helps build inner calmness amidst the chaos of the modern world. Practising meditation, taking a walk, or doing small chores can help improve memory retention and concentration.

"Manan Chintan Karo" — an age-old piece of advice our elders would give us whenever we felt lost or clueless. And this can only be achieved by embracing boredom a few times a day.

Enjoying boredom may sound counterintuitive—especially in a world wired for constant stimulation—but it can actually be a powerful way to recharge your mind, boost creativity, and reconnect with yourself.

Here’s how to lean into boredom instead of resisting it:

1. Reframe Boredom as a Gift, Not a Gap
   Start by shifting how you see boredom. Instead of viewing it as wasted time, think of it as mental white space—an opportunity to pause, reflect, and just be. It's a reset, not a rut.
2.  Let Your Mind Wander
   Boredom can be the birthplace of imagination. When you stop trying to fill every quiet moment with a screen or a scroll, your brain starts generating thoughts, ideas, and connections. Let it drift. Daydream. Notice where your mind naturally goes.
   
   
3. Journal or Doodle
   Pick up a notebook and let yourself write or draw freely—no goals, no audience. This kind of low-stakes expression can be surprisingly calming and creatively fulfilling.
   
   
4.  Sit and Observe
   Find a park bench, a window seat, or a quiet corner, and just... watch. Trees swaying. Clouds moving. People passing. Observation builds presence and stillness—and can lead to deeper appreciation of everyday life.

5.  Embrace Slowness
   Do one slow, simple activity with full attention: fold laundry, wash dishes, peel fruit. Treat it as meditation. When you're fully immersed, the task becomes soothing rather than tedious.

6. Create Tech-Free Zones
   Some of our resistance to boredom is actually fear of being disconnected. Try putting your phone away for a while—start with 10-15 minutes. Notice how you feel. The discomfort often passes quickly, leaving behind calm.
   
   
7. Let Boredom Spark Curiosity
   Out of boredom often comes the urge to explore something new—an idea, a hobby, a question. Let that restlessness lead you to a book you’ve neglected, a craft you’ve wanted to try, or simply a new thought path.

Views expressed by the author are their own