Boredom Is a Luxury You Can’t Afford

The idea that someone could claim they’re bored genuinely baffles me. In today’s fast-paced, responsibility-filled world, I often find myself curious about how anyone manages to find the time to be bored. There are only 24 hours in a day, and when you break that down realistically, most of it is already accounted for.

Let’s start with the basics: sleep. If you’re getting the recommended eight hours of rest, that already takes up a third of your day. Add in the time it takes to maintain proper hygiene, prepare and eat meals, and engage in self-reflection or quiet time before your day even begins, and a significant portion of your time is already gone. These tasks aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re crucial for a happy and satisfying life.

Now, consider the responsibilities that come with family life. If you have children, getting them ready for school, attending to their needs, and managing their schedules is a full-time job in itself. Add in work or school commitments, and your day becomes even more packed. For many, the typical 9-to-5 is just the beginning. Professional goals need to be met, projects completed, and meetings attended.

On top of that, we have personal development goals, like getting in shape, eating healthier, learning something new, or budgeting our finances. And then there are the daily responsibilities that come with being a homeowner, like cleaning, organizing, cooking, and keeping our living space comfortable and inviting. All of these things take time, effort, and consistency.

Now imagine you’re also trying to start or run a business. If you're doing it alone, without a team or employees, you know how time-consuming and demanding that can be. From planning and marketing to customer service and content creation, entrepreneurship is not for the idle. It demands full focus, discipline, and long hours. There is always something to do, something to build, or something to learn.

So when I hear someone say they’re bored, I can’t help but question how they’re spending their time. Boredom frequently signifies an absence of direction, motivation, or ambition. It doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do—it often means a person isn’t seeking or recognizing the value in what they could be doing.

When you meet someone who frequently claims they’re bored, that might be a red flag. It can indicate that they lack purpose or discipline and that they may not value time in the same way that goal-oriented, driven individuals do. Time is precious. Anyone who treats it carelessly—who chooses boredom over growth—might not be the kind of energy you want to be around, especially if you’re focused on building something meaningful in your life.

In a world full of opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities, boredom shouldn’t exist. If you feel it creeping in, it might be time to take a hard look at your priorities—or the people you surround yourself with.