Mary Wagstaff

Stop Drinking and Start Living

Mary Wagstaff

  • 237. Befriending Boredom

237. Befriending Boredom

Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Mary Wagstaff shares strategies for embracing boredom and finding joy in stillness, offering insights into personal growth and overcoming alcohol dependence.
20 minutes
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Transformative
Encouraging

About this podcast

Stop Drinking and Start Living
Author:
Mary Wagstaff
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Creative Recovery Journeys
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Links:
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Befriending Boredom: Discovering Joy in Stillness

Episode Overview

  • Retrospective planning celebrates wins and creates a blueprint for success
  • Expectations can be allies or adversaries - managing them is crucial
  • Befriending boredom as an opportunity for self-discovery and relaxation
  • Questioning thoughts about circumstances can alleviate the need for external distractions
  • Alcohol-free living and embracing a new relationship with oneself
Boredom is the opportunity to dream, to create your dreams. It's the time for relaxation and learning to receive. By questioning our thoughts about circumstances, we can find fulfilment without external distractions.
Boredom – it’s something we all encounter, yet rarely take the time to understand. In this thought-provoking episode, Mary Wagstaff invites listeners to rethink their relationship with boredom and uncover its hidden benefits. She starts by introducing the concept of retrospective planning, a method that involves reflecting on past experiences to celebrate successes and learn from setbacks.
This technique isn't just about looking back; it's about creating a roadmap for future triumphs, helping you navigate life's challenges with greater ease and grace. Mary also tackles the tricky subject of expectations. Often, our expectations can become obstacles, leading to disappointment and frustration. By letting go of rigid expectations, especially those involving others, we can adopt a more neutral perspective that fosters harmony and peace.
This shift in mindset encourages us to focus on our own actions and reactions, rather than trying to control external factors. One of the most intriguing parts of the episode is Mary’s exploration of boredom itself. Instead of viewing it as a negative state to be avoided, she suggests embracing boredom as a chance for self-discovery and personal growth.
By adopting a more feminine approach to planning and allowing ourselves to dream and reflect, we can find value in moments of stillness. Boredom becomes a gateway to tapping into our inner worth beyond mere productivity. Finally, Mary links these concepts to the journey of overcoming alcohol dependence. She explains how boredom often triggers the urge for external distractions like drinking.
By rewiring our emotional responses and finding fulfilment in the present moment, we can reduce the need for such distractions and cultivate a more meaningful and joyful life. Whether you're struggling with alcohol or simply looking to enhance your personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in to discover how befriending boredom can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life.