What type of boredom are you?

Boredom is an emotion that’s a lot more nuanced than we give it credit for. Which boredom type are you?

  • Indifferent boredom: A person who is calm and withdrawn from his or her external world—relaxed.
  • Reactant boredom: A person in this state has a strong motivation to escape his or her boring situation and may have significant restlessness and aggression.
  • Calibrating boredom: A slightly unpleasant emotional state characterized by wandering thoughts, not knowing what to do, and a “general openness” to activities unrelated to the present situation.
  • Searching boredom: A more negative feeling reflecting a sense of unpleasant restlessness and an active search for ways out of the boredom mindset.
  • Apathetic boredom: A person experiencing it has low arousal and a lack of positive or negative feelings–in other words, a feeling of helplessness or depression.
Fast Company