The Distracted Dreamer
Get ready to confidently and unapologetically go after dreams! Welcome to The Distracted Dreamer Podcast.
Today is the day you’re going to pull your dreams off the shelf and bring them to the forefront of your life. You are never too tired, too busy, too old, too young, too anything to pursue your dreams.
Imagine… the joy and excitement of doing what lights you up. Your dreams are yours. No one gets to take them from you and no one gets to chase them - except you. Your dreams are there to guide you, to inspire you and to show you that yes, there is something more in store for you.
You see, the size of your dreams don’t matter - it could be running a marathon, reading a book series, perfecting that family recipe, traveling the world, or learning to dance.
I’m Carlene Bauwens, entrepreneur, Life Coach and now host of The Distracted Dreamer podcast. I’m here to show you how to kick distraction to the curb and grab hold of your dreams. Your happiness matters. You have a big, beautiful, amazing life to live. And you've only got one of them. Welcome to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast.
The Distracted Dreamer
#42: Daydreams are Born Here: The Surprising Science of Boredom
When was the last time you let yourself be bored? Really bored?
Growing up, boredom was a normal part of life — long car rides staring out the window, endless summer days of “go outside and play” with no plan, and doodles on scrap paper that turned into wild ideas. Out of those empty spaces came creativity, play, and daydreams.
But somewhere along the way, we started treating stillness like failure. Daydreaming got labeled as “slacking off,” and boredom became something to fill with scrolling, swiping, or busywork. The truth? Neuroscience shows us that boredom and daydreaming are not wasted time — they’re where creativity is born.
In this episode, I’m inviting you to rediscover the beauty of boredom.
We’ll explore the science behind daydreaming, why your brain is more active when it wanders, and how recovery and rest create the perfect conditions for imagination.
You’ll also hear what European cultures can teach us about building slowness into daily life — from siestas in Spain to August sabbaticals in Italy.
This isn’t a productivity hack or a rigid 3-step plan. It’s an invitation to give yourself permission to pause — to let boredom breathe again, so your best ideas have a chance to find you.
3 KEY TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
1️⃣ You’ll feel permission to embrace boredom without guilt and when you do those beautiful daydreams will find you.
2️⃣ You’ll realize that by not daydreaming you're leaving an important part of your brain untapped.
3️⃣ You’ll be inspired by European rhythms of rest — and leave with ideas for weaving more ease into your own life.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Ep #41: Embracing Self-Care and Recovery: Fuel Your Dreams and Prevent Burnout
Check out all my coaching and course offerings - Coachcarlene.com
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