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Unlocking Creativity: How Being Boring Can Lead to Unlikely Inspiration




This week's post celebrates the distinction between Being Boring and Being Bored.

Being boring is a subjective opinion imposed by others, while being bored is a self-declared state.


Growing up without much TV (in the 70's Mon- Fri Kid's TV transmitted for about an hour transmission a day) and there was no Internet !

Often told that “only boring people get bored “ by elders as they sent us kids off to amuse ourselves, boredom was collective problem, solved by our imaginations.

Consequently I am fascinated by boredom's impact , how it shapes our personalities and creativity .

I recall an interview with one of UK's most successful songwriters Dido who grew up in Islington in a house full of books with no television and no visitors. Her Mother wrote poetry and her Father worked in publishing. Dido said she never would have got into songwriting if there had been a TV a home.

During the 2020 lockdowns, many discovered increased creativity due to the boredom of isolation. A Bath University study supports this, also exploring how social media can stifle creativity.



Being Boring - a poem by Wendy Cope


“MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES “

Chinese Curse


If you ask me 'What's new?',

I have nothing to say except that the garden is growing.

l had a slight cold but it's better today.

I'm content with the way things are going.

Yes, he is the same as he usually is,

Still eating and sleeping and snoring.

I get on with my work.

He gets on with his.

I know this is all very boring.


There was drama enough in my turbulent past:

Tears and passion -

I've used up a tankful.

No news is good news,

and long may it last.

If nothing much happens,

I'm thankful.

A happier cabbage you never did see,

My vegetable spirits are soaring.

If you're after excitement,

steer well clear of me.

I want to go on being boring.


I don't go to parties.

Well, what are they for,

If you don't need to find a new lover?

You drink and you listen and drink a bit more

And you take the next day to recover.

Someone to stay home with was all my desire

And, now that I've found a safe mooring,I

've just one ambition in life:

I aspire

To go on and on being boring.


Wendy Cope


Tedious Delights

The Most Boring Man in Britain title was given by a National Newspaper to Peter Willis in 2016 . A list of Tedious Delights associated with being boring according to the above BBC article includes :-

Peter has since been superseded by Dull Kev - 'Ambassador for the Mundane' .

 "I am now currently presiding over many dull hobbies and societies – From appreciating Village Notice Boards, Car Parks, Her Majesty’s Prisons, Bench spotting., Rubbish Dumps, Red telephone booths, Pillar Post Boxes…Each year the list just grows."

Kev produces a dazzling selection of dull Calendars and Coasters for sale via his Dull Kev Website.


Dull Women & Mens Clubs -

Yes there really is such a thing .

These Clubs run on line, through websites and Facebook Groups .

Would you join ?

Lots of folk have , the groups have attracted mass followings - one has over 1M followers .

“A place to slow down, enjoy simple, everyday things, escape the troubles of life today. We do more than watch paint dry”- Dull Mens Club.

Women can join as an Associate Member.

This group welcomes people from all cultures, religions and genders. Male, female and non binary are most welcome.

"Within the pages you'll find things beloved by dull women everywhere, from birdwatching to pottery, each offers its own unique rewards—a quiet sense of accomplishment and a deep connection to the natural world".


70 Things to do when you’re stuck at home bored

This is a brilliantly curated list of ideas complete with useful links.

They go from the

Whacky - Search “happy birthday + [your name]” on YouTube . It doesn’t technically have to be your birthday to watch a bunch of strangers celebrating .

To the Whimsical - learn how to read Tarot Cards with a beginners guide.

And back to the Mundane - suggestion - hand wash your clothes .


The Banshees of Inisherin

Now on line this award winning film set on a remote Irish island in 1923 covers a sudden end of a lifelong friendship. Collom decides Padric is dull and wants nothing more to do with him. This beautifully produced thought provoking cert 15 film is described as a Comedy/Horror.

I watched throughDisney +

Watch trailer here via You Tube https://youtu.be/uRu3zLOJN2c?feature=shared


Boring Songs

If you want to write a popular song it maybe worth noting that Boring titles are popular.

Just look at the views on these.

63M VIEWS !

(14M VIEWS on You Tube )


I hope you have enjoyed this trip into the world of Bores and feel suitably inspired by the subject to delve further into the subject. If you have any thoughts or links on the subject please feel free to comment or email me - theloisedit@gmail.com


Thank you for reading .


Until next Sunday .


Cherrio x xx







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