The Surprising Upside of Being Uncomfortable
We live in a world that’s designed to keep us comfortable - and constantly entertained.
- Hungry? There’s a delivery app for that.
- Cold? A heated blanket is one click away.
- Bored? Just pick up your phone, and within seconds you’re scrolling, watching, shopping, or playing.
We’ve removed friction from nearly every part of our lives.
And in many ways, that’s a marvel of modern living. But in doing so, we’ve also erased some of the most beautiful, messy, and deeply human experiences that come from discomfort.
Especially boredom.
As parents, we often feel pressure to keep our kids occupied and “happy” at all times.
Screens become the default. Activities are scheduled down to the minute. But what if we’ve taken it too far?
When I think back to my childhood summers, it looked nothing like the world today.
Sure, during the school year I was pretty scheduled - (dance, piano, Girl Scouts) but the summer was wide open. I'd sometimes get caught up in watching the morning game show line-up (like The Price is Right and Let's Make a Deal!), but it was far more rewarding to head outside and explore.
I’d hop on my bike—cards in the spokes making a satisfying fluttering sound, and ride down the street to Mrs. Jollif's driveway.
A towering magnolia tree arched overhead, its broad branches creating a cool, shaded tunnel of quiet. The massive waxy leaves dangled just low enough to become part of the scene - perfectly shaped to serve as the ‘fuel handle’ at my imaginary gas station.
After “filling up,” I’d cruise over to a magical place called Cardinal Point - a neighboring property where an elderly gentleman lived.
I’d pedal down the long, winding black gravel driveway, the crunch of the stones beneath my tires mixing with the sounds of summer.
On one side, the marsh hummed with life; on the other, thick trees and tangled bushes created a leafy tunnel that felt like a secret passageway. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the driveway opened into a hidden world - lush gardens surrounding a charming white house that looked like something out of a storybook.
It was a beautiful space to play - open, wild, and welcoming. A kind neighbor named Admiral Johnson (who surely wasn’t thinking about liability insurance :) ) let all the neighborhood kids roam freely.
We explored fish ponds, tree forts, bamboo jungles, and marshy hideaways. We were outside for hours—no adults hovering, no schedules.
Just imagination, freedom, and play.
All this to say: boredom wasn’t something to avoid. It was the gateway to creativity, independence, and resilience.
And I believe it still is.
A Little Science:
A 2014 study published in the Creativity Research Journal found that boredom can actually enhance creativity.
Participants who performed a boring task came up with significantly more creative ideas than those who were not bored. The reason? Boredom encourages us to seek out novelty and deeper thinking.
So things to think about.
I know you're not heading out to your bike using clothes pins (what's that?!) to clip in cards. But if you're a parent, parenting in the modern world of screens, it does make you think more about boundaries. And letting your kids get bored … and figuring out how to entertain themselves.
For ourselves, more than anything, I think it's resisting that urge to pick up the phone and scroll whenever there is a free moment.
So here are some small habits to try out:
The 30-Second Pause
Next time you feel bored or restless - or tempted to distract yourself - stop and pause for 30 seconds. Take a breath. Notice what’s going on inside. What are you feeling? What might you need? That small discomfort might be the start of something valuable.
Morning Walk
Get outside for a walk - without your phone. Just take in what's around you, listen to the natural or city sounds. Let your mind wander. Really tune in and observe what you're seeing along your walk. I know these walks are my most productive time of day - when ideas enter my mind that wouldn't have otherwise.
Eating slowly, thoughtfully, without your Phone
This is especially challenging if you're eating alone. Since I work from home, when I have lunch, I can choose to eat while I work, scroll while I eat, watch TV while I eat.
But how about doing nothing? It sounds boring, rather uncomfortable. But try it. Just give yourself a time-out for noticing what's outside your window, or sitting outside on a nice day.
There are so many important benefits of eating slowly and thoughtfully - one of the best being - you give your body time to activate digestive enzymes and prepare for food. Chewing thoroughly also helps break down food in your mouth, which lightens the digestive load on your stomach and intestines.
The result? :Reduced bloating, gas, reflux, and better nutrient absorption.
Reflection Prompt:
What are some of your earliest memories of boredom?
What did you create, imagine, or explore because you had nothing else to do?
Being uncomfortable isn’t always fun. But it’s often where the good stuff begins.