Is boredom an emotion?
One of my professors called it that today and it just doesn't seem quite right. I mean, in a cognitive definition, I guess it could be but I don't think that I consider it an emotion.
But what do I consider it?
Maybe a state of being? Unconscious, conscious and occupied/interested, or conscious but bored? That doesn't seem to be it either.
State of mind? That's pretty close to an emotion. Although "New York" isn't an emotion and we're told that that can be a state of mind.
I think that state of mind might be the closest. And it may vary from person to person. I have friends who get bored if they're stuck waiting at the doctor's office for ten minutes. I also have friends who could stay in that same office for hours without feeling bored. I'm not sure if it's the way people are raised or just their brain's MO, but there's a definite difference.
So that's what I'll be pondering this week.
What do you think? Is boredom an emotion? If not, what is it? Why do some people experience it more acutely than others? Can you change it?
Now, that you have mentioned this, I am not sure what I think either. I know people say, "I'm feeling bored." Which makes it seem like it would be an emotion, because you are feeling that way. As for me, I am rarely bored, because I can entertain myself so easily.
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Jessica @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights
I'm the same way. Even when I'm just sitting somewhere, my brain is like a bad 70's variety show: debating, singing, making up situations...
DeleteMy husband doesn't like waiting between work and something else that evening. He thinks he'll get bored waiting around. I would jump at the chance to have down time and love to read mags at the doctors, or browse at a mall. I think it's definitely a state of mind.
DeleteBtw, you won my Valentine chocolate giveaway! Please drop me an email with your mailing address at pink_ink at q dot com.
My husband doesn't like waiting between work and something else that evening. He thinks he'll get bored waiting around. I would jump at the chance to have down time and love to read mags at the doctors, or browse at a mall. I think it's definitely a state of mind.
DeleteBtw, you won my Valentine chocolate giveaway! Please drop me an email with your mailing address at pink_ink at q dot com.