120 Comments
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Stan Modjesky's avatar

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being alone in your thoughts and rituals.

We have collectively become afraid to be alone with our own thoughts, and that is our loss.

AlmaAndalusian's avatar

Then you’re doing it wrong. Combine going slow with mindfulness (ie focusing on your breath and every small little thing you’re able to notice) and slowness becomes an inward journey that is deeply fulfilling regardless of the task at hand. Even ‘doing nothing’ becomes being in the moment.

Chris Gray's avatar

Very well said.

Monique Legair's avatar

My thoughts exactly. I thoroughly enjoy being alone and in my thoughts - time, very well spent!

Xirathi's avatar

Absolutely. The writer simply sounds depressed.

The Chop Queen's avatar

That’s still an admirable thing to do. There are many people out there who can’t stand their own thoughts, so they do what they can do avoid it.

Vicente Vargas's avatar

And the constant pursuit of the next thing provides the means of avoidance for many of us

Chris Gray's avatar

The biggest danger to the most people, is Consumerism and not fighting it

Xirathi's avatar

Hooray, avoidance!

Chris Gray's avatar

And scared of the quiet. Probably because of the littleness they perceive of themselves. Wanting to replace their own company with noise from those in pop bands or other.

Kennieee🥹🌸's avatar

I don’t completely agree. Slowing down doesn’t necessarily mean being bored or lonely. Sometimes, slowing down is simply giving yourself the space to breathe, think clearly, and actually enjoy the present without constantly chasing the next thing.🤍

Kennieee🥹🌸's avatar

Please don't just like and go😫..check my write up and drop your likes there too and subscribe to my account..🥹🤲🏾

Curious aardvark's avatar

Sadly we have recently grown up with a fast-paced life to the extent that once we try and slow down we feel uncomfortable. We never learned how to just sit and think- to ponder- to savor - to examine your surroundings in detail instead of flashing past you. Very few people read anymore because it’s too slow. This is all the same phenomenon. It’s an unhealthy addiction spread by the consumer industries. ‘We must always be doing/watching/eating something’…. Well that’s just not natural and it wrong.

Chris Gray's avatar

One place I cannot bear to slow down in, is public houses. Pubs/bars. It feels like life is stopping. I would rather be making anything than frequent those places

Spencer Thomas's avatar

"The Importance of Being Idol?"

Vicente Vargas's avatar

First response

Not that I want a medal for it, my experience has been very different. I don’t experience boredom. Just saying that it’s possible. Not prescribing anything here.

On second thought

I do experience boredom. What I don’t experience is that there’s a problem with boredom. Of course there are periods of low levels of stimulation that happen to me just like everybody else. I was wrong to say otherwise. What I think distinguishes my experience is that I don’t feel the need to change the channel. I’m comfortable with boredom. That’s what I think is possible. That boredom not be aversive. I see that as a possibility, and I don’t see it as an accomplishment.

Tricia Rose's avatar

I have aged out of boredom. I regularly forget my phone or leave it behind deliberately, and there is always something to think about or something to do. Cell phones came along late in my life so they don't dominate my time, and that is a blessing.

David's avatar

I'm right there with ya Tricia.

Anna Hultin's avatar

Thank you for including my embroidery in this post 🥰

Chris Gray's avatar

No one uses my poetry...

Many over 70 verses, a 130 verse, a 169 verse, a 738 line with unique rhymes throughout. Many below 70 verses. All get very little attention.

"A White Man Still Standing" was the last one.

Rebecca Berman's avatar

Boredom is the fuel for creativity

Spencer Thomas's avatar

Glass always half full?

David's avatar

Yes, can be indeed.

robert romano's avatar

I started writing , had been thinking about it for decades before retirement, now on my 3rd book. Or... Try a new hobby ...

Second ... Get a dog

Thrid ... Get a dog ....

Georgette Nkwo's avatar

I love the boost of aloneness in my thoughts and rituals. Because life seems to always pick up in a way that removes you from that state of calm. It’s always nice to find the ‘ slow down’ I am in my season for trying to speed up because I am rested.

Janice Shirley's avatar

Nonsense. I just turned 67 and was diagnosed with hyperactive ADHD 3 years ago. It explains my entire life with moving 60 plus times, having 70 plus jobs, etc. Now, I’ve settled in a triplex for seniors and I’m worn out from a life of moving 100 mph. So this is NONSENSE.

JJoshua's avatar

“Getting Old Sucks!”

Stan Modjesky's avatar

The alternative is dying too young to have experienced the fullness of life.

JJoshua's avatar

Unfortunately, I’m a nihilist. The older I got the more I moved toward that, sadly.

Stan Modjesky's avatar

Whether or not you're a nihilist is completely under your control. Happily.

David's avatar

I would say realistically more so than sadly. Time is relentless. But your point is definitely relatable.

robert romano's avatar

It's not for sissy,'s for sure, but retirement has been great

SUNDAY RIVER @ TROPJAC's avatar

Most people are afraid of the quiet and of slowing down. Ironically I am heading home after 3 days in the woods.

I will tell you… with JESUS it’s been so physically restoring and spiritually and emotionally healing and tiring but BEAUTIFUL!

Things on the inside RISE when we LISTEN intently and only then can we hear the true Whisper of HOLY SPIRIT without all the distractions of life! Why RUN through life on the surface when there is a rich vibrant life of true wholeness waiting within? Why settle for existing when LIVING and really being LOVED by HIM is what we were made for!

No.. the quiet is where LIFE begins. 🌬️💨❤️‍🔥🪽🙌

Deyasinee Bose's avatar

Honestly I like to sit alone with my thoughts, form new thought ls through reading instead of borrowed intellect that changes every 30 seconds :)

Abigail Lois's avatar

A lot of people in this comment section seem to have missed the point of the first article. She is actually celebrating slowing down and trying to redefine boredom as an inevitable but good byproduct of it.

Michael Preedy's avatar

Oh, way to go, Dolly!