What timing of this question on boredom! I live in Los Angeles and my family and I are incredibly fortunate to have not been directly impacted by the fires. I was, however, sucked into an intense cycle of doom scrolling that was in no way helping me or anyone around me. So, sort of on a whim, I deleted instagram. It’s been 11 days. I feel so liberated. And also disconnected. Instead of playing on my phone, I’ve taken the random pockets of 15 “extra” minutes to prep breakfast or read a long form article. My family played monopoly this weekend. A six+ hour game! I do miss the creative inspirations that I do get from the app — outfit ideas, dinner inspiration and more. But, for now, the break is welcome.
It sounds like stepping away from Instagram has given you some much-needed breathing room and a chance to reconnect with your family and yourself. Monopoly for six hours? That’s some serious dedication, love it! Do you think this break might turn into something longer-term, or is it just a temporary reset for now?
Just wanted to share that thanks to the Weekday Vegetarians Get Simple, I made empanadas, which were delicious. And they got my preschooler to eat beans and veggies! He called them "Cozy little beds." ❤️
Why yes I'll join in with the peanut butter cookies and watching of ACGAS! It's a cozy show (even during WWII) with lovely characters and I can't wait for each new episode. I could binge it but I'm choosing to savor them on Sunday evenings!
Jenny, so true about boredom! When I look around my house and all I see are things that need to be done, I know I have been spending way too much time on my phone. Setting it down and taking care of all those small tasks relieves stress. Setting the phone down also allows me to try new things and learn, which brings joy.
I agree — and I try to put up extra barriers to spend less time on my phone. I don’t have social media anymore (3 yrs free of Instagram and 8 yrs free of facebook), but I love pursuing Reddit. I use the screen app zen to limit that though — only allowed on Reddit 3 times a day for 15 min before it’s blocked. It’s crazy though, before I could scroll for hours, now I sometimes find myself bored with the app in less than 15 min!
Wow, boredom...well said. I'm for sure going to share this at our dinner table tonight...in the midst of HS midterms talk and that Smokey Black Beans with Tomato Rice I hope I get on our table!
First of all, Jenny….YUM! I love beautiful pictures that go with delicioso food and cooking in my kitchen as a form of creative artistry even if we don't think so. Besides my taste buds are all in! AND as far as Boredom goes! I never find it boring but an invitation to get up, move and be creative. Our heads are not designed to remain bowed and fixated on worshipping false demigods and speedy AIs in an electronic box. I would rather visit substack and read things like Jenny’s Dinner A Love Story💕🙂
I've been loving this discussion of boredom and stepping away from social media! The apps just *don't feel fun* right now; I'm sure their brilliant, evil developers will figure out how to recapture our attention soon, but this moment feels like a golden opportunity to stop scrolling, already.
It was such a joy having you on my podcast, Jenny! Thank you so much for sharing. And it's so funny that you wrote about boredom this week, something I've been thinking a lot about after my own "glorious hibernation" over the weekend. I just learned the term, "time affluence," which is when we feel that we have free time in our lives, even if it's just a few minutes here and there (which is the opposite of time scarcity, where we feel like we never have enough time... something I used to feel often, and perhaps even valorized). According to cognitive scientists, having a perspective of time affluence has a massive impact on our well-being, even if it means we simply give ourselves 2-3 minute breaks throughout the day to do nothing. With work and social media always at our fingertips, this feels more important (and harder to do) than ever. This weekend I found myself wondering if I was bored, only to realize that I was actually (deliciously) relaxed.
I use the Apple screen time feature to break up the doom scrolling and remind me to close the app after 15 minutes. I've also made a rule for myself that I can only open facebook once a day. So I'm very careful to do it when there's nothing else going on; it is not a "I'm bored" response, instead it is "this is my time to check on the posts from people I care about". Both rules allow me to control my use of social media, while still staying connected to the parts of it I appreciate. I've also heard that switching your phone to black and white will make social media much less appetizing.
I loved that quote you shared about boredom. For me, that was a thought-provoking, new way to look at it! And thank you, this was the final push I needed to deactivate my Instagram account. (I left Facebook last year, but was holding onto Insta for occassional check ins.) For me, neither was about real connection- and they were certainly wasting my time. Plus, Zuckerberg and his evolution are creeping me out.
Oh and the salad looks amazing, as does the tart! Thank you for the recipes; I needed winter cooking inspiration. Adding the ingredients for these to my shopping list.
I’m glad the quote resonated with you, it’s amazing how a fresh perspective can shift things! Deactivating Instagram sounds like a great move if it wasn’t serving you. It’s freeing to reclaim that time and energy. Do you think you’ll explore any alternative ways to stay inspired or connected, or are you fully embracing the digital detox for now?
I was about to search your site for a polenta and roasted mushroom recipe that sounds perfect for Colorado's recent freeze.
I deleted X and want to leave Meta so it can be as "masculine" and empty as its owner would like. But, in addition to not wanting to lose the connections I've made on Instagram, I wonder if a result to getting people to leave some apps will be that it is harder to organize. We just need more options and competition for Meta.
In the meantime, I'm so grateful for Substack. I don't fall down a scrolling black hole and don't see ads that will line a billionaire's pocket.
The tub of mushrooms I bought this past weekend just found their fate! Can't wait to make that tart. Also, thank you for taking about boredom. I've also been trying to fill my time elsewhere. Lately, right after dinner, I've been playing my piano and guitar. I've missed playing and it's been very therapeutic.
That sounds amazing, both the tart and the music! Cooking and playing instruments are such great ways to channel creativity and unwind. Do you find that playing the piano and guitar after dinner helps set a calm tone for the rest of your evening?
What timing of this question on boredom! I live in Los Angeles and my family and I are incredibly fortunate to have not been directly impacted by the fires. I was, however, sucked into an intense cycle of doom scrolling that was in no way helping me or anyone around me. So, sort of on a whim, I deleted instagram. It’s been 11 days. I feel so liberated. And also disconnected. Instead of playing on my phone, I’ve taken the random pockets of 15 “extra” minutes to prep breakfast or read a long form article. My family played monopoly this weekend. A six+ hour game! I do miss the creative inspirations that I do get from the app — outfit ideas, dinner inspiration and more. But, for now, the break is welcome.
It sounds like stepping away from Instagram has given you some much-needed breathing room and a chance to reconnect with your family and yourself. Monopoly for six hours? That’s some serious dedication, love it! Do you think this break might turn into something longer-term, or is it just a temporary reset for now?
Just wanted to share that thanks to the Weekday Vegetarians Get Simple, I made empanadas, which were delicious. And they got my preschooler to eat beans and veggies! He called them "Cozy little beds." ❤️
Why yes I'll join in with the peanut butter cookies and watching of ACGAS! It's a cozy show (even during WWII) with lovely characters and I can't wait for each new episode. I could binge it but I'm choosing to savor them on Sunday evenings!
Jenny, so true about boredom! When I look around my house and all I see are things that need to be done, I know I have been spending way too much time on my phone. Setting it down and taking care of all those small tasks relieves stress. Setting the phone down also allows me to try new things and learn, which brings joy.
I agree — and I try to put up extra barriers to spend less time on my phone. I don’t have social media anymore (3 yrs free of Instagram and 8 yrs free of facebook), but I love pursuing Reddit. I use the screen app zen to limit that though — only allowed on Reddit 3 times a day for 15 min before it’s blocked. It’s crazy though, before I could scroll for hours, now I sometimes find myself bored with the app in less than 15 min!
I guess I know what I’m going to do with that lonely three+ week old honeycrisp in my fruit bowl! Thank you!
So true about boredom. Thank you for posting that. ❤️
Wow. The only time that TJs instant oatmeal has ever looked appealing, ha.
whoa, shots fired!
haha
Wow, boredom...well said. I'm for sure going to share this at our dinner table tonight...in the midst of HS midterms talk and that Smokey Black Beans with Tomato Rice I hope I get on our table!
First of all, Jenny….YUM! I love beautiful pictures that go with delicioso food and cooking in my kitchen as a form of creative artistry even if we don't think so. Besides my taste buds are all in! AND as far as Boredom goes! I never find it boring but an invitation to get up, move and be creative. Our heads are not designed to remain bowed and fixated on worshipping false demigods and speedy AIs in an electronic box. I would rather visit substack and read things like Jenny’s Dinner A Love Story💕🙂
I've been loving this discussion of boredom and stepping away from social media! The apps just *don't feel fun* right now; I'm sure their brilliant, evil developers will figure out how to recapture our attention soon, but this moment feels like a golden opportunity to stop scrolling, already.
It was such a joy having you on my podcast, Jenny! Thank you so much for sharing. And it's so funny that you wrote about boredom this week, something I've been thinking a lot about after my own "glorious hibernation" over the weekend. I just learned the term, "time affluence," which is when we feel that we have free time in our lives, even if it's just a few minutes here and there (which is the opposite of time scarcity, where we feel like we never have enough time... something I used to feel often, and perhaps even valorized). According to cognitive scientists, having a perspective of time affluence has a massive impact on our well-being, even if it means we simply give ourselves 2-3 minute breaks throughout the day to do nothing. With work and social media always at our fingertips, this feels more important (and harder to do) than ever. This weekend I found myself wondering if I was bored, only to realize that I was actually (deliciously) relaxed.
I use the Apple screen time feature to break up the doom scrolling and remind me to close the app after 15 minutes. I've also made a rule for myself that I can only open facebook once a day. So I'm very careful to do it when there's nothing else going on; it is not a "I'm bored" response, instead it is "this is my time to check on the posts from people I care about". Both rules allow me to control my use of social media, while still staying connected to the parts of it I appreciate. I've also heard that switching your phone to black and white will make social media much less appetizing.
I loved that quote you shared about boredom. For me, that was a thought-provoking, new way to look at it! And thank you, this was the final push I needed to deactivate my Instagram account. (I left Facebook last year, but was holding onto Insta for occassional check ins.) For me, neither was about real connection- and they were certainly wasting my time. Plus, Zuckerberg and his evolution are creeping me out.
Oh and the salad looks amazing, as does the tart! Thank you for the recipes; I needed winter cooking inspiration. Adding the ingredients for these to my shopping list.
I’m glad the quote resonated with you, it’s amazing how a fresh perspective can shift things! Deactivating Instagram sounds like a great move if it wasn’t serving you. It’s freeing to reclaim that time and energy. Do you think you’ll explore any alternative ways to stay inspired or connected, or are you fully embracing the digital detox for now?
I was about to search your site for a polenta and roasted mushroom recipe that sounds perfect for Colorado's recent freeze.
I deleted X and want to leave Meta so it can be as "masculine" and empty as its owner would like. But, in addition to not wanting to lose the connections I've made on Instagram, I wonder if a result to getting people to leave some apps will be that it is harder to organize. We just need more options and competition for Meta.
In the meantime, I'm so grateful for Substack. I don't fall down a scrolling black hole and don't see ads that will line a billionaire's pocket.
The tub of mushrooms I bought this past weekend just found their fate! Can't wait to make that tart. Also, thank you for taking about boredom. I've also been trying to fill my time elsewhere. Lately, right after dinner, I've been playing my piano and guitar. I've missed playing and it's been very therapeutic.
That sounds amazing, both the tart and the music! Cooking and playing instruments are such great ways to channel creativity and unwind. Do you find that playing the piano and guitar after dinner helps set a calm tone for the rest of your evening?
Absolutely!