Finding the Beauty in Boring

In college, there’s a lot of pressure for everything in life to be big. You only have four years, so you have to do the following (in no particular order): go to every party, graduate with the highest honors, take the absolute best trip every school break, and have an extravagant (but not too disruptive) social life.

We see all the extra time in between as obstacles to our big events and achievements. Every Sunday night, like clockwork, we tell ourselves that we only need to get through this week. Monday through Thursday is a wash—we just wait for the days to pass.

I used to live like this, and I still catch myself slipping constantly. While looking forward to the weekend or a big break is one thing, discounting the time that we do have is another entirely. Especially in college, when there are only four years to make lasting memories, shouldn’t we find pleasure in the little things?

I enjoy sitting in my classes just as much as the next person, but it does help to think that instead of having to go to class, you get to go to class. I know, it might sound stupid, but it’s a start.

I get to sit in the library with my friends and half-write that paper due tomorrow night. I get to wake up in the morning and make the most of my Tuesday. I get to enjoy every day as much as I please.

There is so much pleasure in the mundane. There is joy in every bite of food (yes, even those frozen chicken nuggets in the back of your fridge). There is life in every small conversation, even if it’s about the weather or the insane workload that your professors expect of you this week. There is happiness in sitting on the couch and having a laugh with your roommate.

Not everything in life is a major moment. Most of life is small. You are likely to spend a lot of your life doing nothing at all, which can be a tough pill to swallow. We don’t only need to live with boredom, but cherish it too.

Though I wouldn’t encourage steering away from excitement, I do encourage leaning into the ordinary. It’s far better to live through every day than simply wait for it to end.

The small moments add up. Making the most of those moments isn’t only the best way to go through college, but the best way to go through life. There is so much beauty in the ordinary.

Of course, life can (and again, will) be boring. There is little excitement in studying and sitting in class, but there is something beautiful about embracing the boring. Even though I walk the same route every day, I relish my morning walk to campus. One day, I’ll trade that walk for a true morning commute.