“I have dared to do strange things—bold things.” —Emily Dickinson
I have done boring things.
Technology is designed, according to the tech evangelists, to replace manual tasks and support the human race to evolve (how, I’ve never heard a solid answer to, but most promise more free time). It seems specifically designed to eliminate jobs such as the one I had when I was a young adult at a uniform factory.
It was tedious work, and it caused my arms to ache. But it did give me well-defined biceps.
My biceps are no longer so well-defined; that result was temporary. But the experience had lasting effects. I can’t argue that I accomplished any semblance of greatness in my position on the line, rerouting heavy uniforms that came down the line on sturdy hangers. But that job gave me just enough structure and just enough mental freedom to begin to dream.
I feel like we’re never bored now, and I wonder if this inhibits our ability to drift off into a dreamy state. Not a meditative state but one that is truly indulgent of mind wandering and imagination.
Because I was so bored so often in my factory work, I found myself indulging in a bit of magical thinking. The sort that can be quite productive if well-routed itself. I began to think of the stories of my co-workers, and I learned how incredibly rewarding a sandwich break could be.
I also learned how to measure and make games/challenges of my situation. In other words, I learned how to both creatively problem solve and develop creative resilience. I entertained myself, and in so doing, I rekindled a passion for story that had been dormant.
Had I not had that insanely boring job, I might not be writing here. Is the world better or worse for it? Who knows. But writing has helped me to grow, connect, and keep going. So when tedium sneaks into my life now (lines, waiting on hold, trying to get an AI support system to understand me as I pay a bill online, sitting in long meetings about mission statements, etc.), I take it as an opportunity. A challenge.
Where are the stories here?
And they’re always there. It’s when we’re constantly entertained that they seem most elusive. At least for me.
Note: to read the essay, which was a finalist for the Gordon Square Review contest judged by Hanif Abdurraqib, go here.
"Had I not had that insanely boring job, I might not be writing here." I love this line! Thank you for sharing this, as this counterintuitive result worked 💪
I found myself yearning for the childhood schoolbus rides home this month. I didn’t care for school as a child, but tolerated the ride where I would lean my head against the window and daydream until my bus stop. I’d then wander off the bus in a half dream state and let the stories unwind or reverberate as I walked or ran home the last 1/2 mile.
To go back to that wondrous state of imagination and mind wandering that I found myself yearning for, I recently stopped filling my long commutes to work with audiobooks. It was “boring” at first, but my creative energy in my spare time has picked up a notch and I find myself with lots of ideas…. Now, how to find a talk to text that actually works… or, just let it go and simply enjoy the journey.