--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Boredom is a very self-conscious emotion…" description: "\"Boredom is a very self-conscious emotion by definition. Interest is not. So you can actually be completely absorbed in something and, at certain points..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/angela-duckworth-2560_boredom_boredom-is-a-very-self-conscious-emotion_637740.jpg" --- # Boredom is a very self-conscious emotion by definition… ![“Boredom is a very self-conscious emotion by definition. Interest is not. So you can actually be completely absorbed in something and, at certain points in your development, not even realize that you're into it.” quote by Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/angela-duckworth-2560_boredom_boredom-is-a-very-self-conscious-emotion_637740.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/angela-duckworth-2560_boredom_boredom-is-a-very-self-conscious-emotion_637740.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/angela-duckworth-2560_boredom_boredom-is-a-very-self-conscious-emotion_637740.jpg) > “Boredom is a very self-conscious emotion by definition. Interest is not. So you can actually be completely absorbed in something and, at certain points in your development, not even realize that you're into it.” [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Boredom is self‑conscious, while deep interest absorbs you without self‑awareness. **In simple terms:** Interest feels effortless, boredom feels self‑critical. Key Takeaway Seek activities that fully engage you. Themes motivation focus self‑awareness Mood focused curious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - creative work - learning new skills - problem solving - mindful practice Key Concepts flow self‑consciousness intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - When do you lose self‑consciousness in work? - How can you cultivate deeper interest? A Different Perspective Not all tasks can become absorbing; external pressures may persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boredom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boredom/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Self conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-conscious/) ## Related quotes > [“Emotion it self is blindfold. So one second of your life control by emotion it's the definition of selfishness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-ruiz/emotion-it-self-is-blindfold-so-one-second-of-your-life-control-by/) [Abraham Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-ruiz/) > [Ironically, often the thing that keeps me from experiencing joy is my preoccupation with self. The very selfishness that keeps me from pouring myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/ironically-often-the-thing-that-keeps-me-from-experiencing-joy-is-my/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [Boredom is the self being stuffed with itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walker-percy/boredom-is-the-self-being-stuffed-with-itself/) [Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walker-percy/) > [“In consequence, when the pleasures have been removed which busy people derive from their actual activities, the mind cannot endure the house, the solitude,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/in-consequence-when-the-pleasures-have-been-removed-which-busy-people/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [The only way to stave off boredom, in a complex domesticated primate like humankind, is to increase one's intelligence. This is not appealing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anton-wilson/the-only-way-to-stave-off-boredom-in-a-complex-domesticated-primate/) [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) > [Being self conscious and insecure is a way of life, you can't expect to be confident 100% of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-self-conscious-and-insecure-is-a-way-of-life-you-can-t-expect/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you think about what you do, if you become self-conscious about it, you've got to be very careful. Because I really like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/if-you-think-about-what-you-do-if-you-become-self-conscious-about-it/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [I used to be so self-conscious of having a unibrow. I would make my mum tweeze out the middle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-elordi/i-used-to-be-so-self-conscious-of-having-a-unibrow-i-would-make-my/) [Jacob Elordi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-elordi/) > [I don't think my paintings are self-conscious but you feel the consciousness of them. Without them being self-conscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-schnabel/i-don-t-think-my-paintings-are-self-conscious-but-you-feel-the/) [Julian Schnabel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-schnabel/) > [I feel self-conscious for even having met so many other band people and artists, I don't want to be that artist that is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-feel-self-conscious-for-even-having-met-so-many-other-band-people/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [Salvador Dali has been called kitsch, but, although some of this work may be grotesque, its brazenly self-conscious bad taste saves it from being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-dutton/salvador-dali-has-been-called-kitsch-but-although-some-of-this-work/) [Denis Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-dutton/) > [I ended up becoming so self-conscious that my songs stopped being about my life and started being about what people thought of my music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-phair/i-ended-up-becoming-so-self-conscious-that-my-songs-stopped-being/) [Liz Phair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-phair/) > [I was always looking at the ground because I was self-conscious about my height. I had big feet, big hands, and all that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-parish/i-was-always-looking-at-the-ground-because-i-was-self-conscious-about/) [Robert Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-parish/) > [I'm very self-conscious as an actor, with performances and things, and I don't like watching my own stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/i-m-very-self-conscious-as-an-actor-with-performances-and-things-and/) [Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) ## More by Angela Duckworth > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“you can, in fact, modify your self-talk, and you can learn to not let it interfere with you moving toward your goals. With practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/you-can-in-fact-modify-your-self-talk-and-you-can-learn-to-not-let-it/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [One thing that's true of gritty people is they love what they do, and they keep loving what they do. So they're not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/one-thing-that-s-true-of-gritty-people-is-they-love-what-they-do-and/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [The focus on just thinking about standardized test scores as being synonymous with achievement for teenagers is ridiculous, right? There are so many things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-focus-on-just-thinking-about-standardized-test-scores-as-being/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Nobody wants to show you the hours and hours of becoming. They’d rather show the highlight of what they’ve become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/nobody-wants-to-show-you-the-hours-and-hours-of-becoming-they-d/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my genes because I can't do anything about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-don-t-spend-a-lot-of-time-thinking-about-my-genes-because-i-can-t/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“My longitudinal studies show these three virtue clusters predict different outcomes. For academic achievement, including stellar report card grades, the cluster containing grit is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/my-longitudinal-studies-show-these-three-virtue-clusters-predict/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“For many of us, the companies we work for are an important cultural force in our lives. For instance, growing up, my dad liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/for-many-of-us-the-companies-we-work-for-are-an-important-cultural/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“trying to do things they can't yet do, failing, and learning what they need to do differently is exactly the way that experts practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/trying-to-do-things-they-can-t-yet-do-failing-and-learning-what-they/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Negative feelings are typical of learning, and you shouldn't feel like you're stupid when you're frustrated doing something. You might say to yourself, 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/negative-feelings-are-typical-of-learning-and-you-shouldn-t-feel-like/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I was a good novice teacher, but I did the things that were obvious. I stayed for lunch for extra tutoring, gave kids my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-was-a-good-novice-teacher-but-i-did-the-things-that-were-obvious-i/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“The separation of talent and skill,” Will Smith points out, “is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-separation-of-talent-and-skill-will-smith-points-out-is-one-of/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [What we reliably find is that people's perseverance scores are actually higher than their passion scores, and I think it really does get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/what-we-reliably-find-is-that-people-s-perseverance-scores-are/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Many things matter other than our measured intelligence, so let's get to work on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/many-things-matter-other-than-our-measured-intelligence-so-let-s-get/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“With everything perfect,” Nietzsche wrote, “we do not ask how it came to be.” Instead, “we rejoice in the present fact as though it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/with-everything-perfect-nietzsche-wrote-we-do-not-ask-how-it-came-to/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) [Explore all 161 Angela Duckworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## More Boredom quotes > [I am fairly tired--bored beyond endurance--by the world we live in, and its ideals, and am ready to say so, not violently, but kindly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/i-am-fairly-tired-bored-beyond-endurance-by-the-world-we-live-in-and/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Life is what you make it¦If one refuses to use ones imagination..it will be boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-what-you-make-it-if-one-refuses-to-use-ones-imagination-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Boredom is vastly underrated. Boredom means that nothing is trying to kill you every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/boredom-is-vastly-underrated-boredom-means-that-nothing-is-trying-to/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [I'm bored of being bored because being bored is very boring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachithra/i-m-bored-of-being-bored-because-being-bored-is-very-boring/) [Sachithra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachithra/) > [When people look in the mirror, sometimes they see are their shells in the mirror, nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-look-in-the-mirror-sometimes-they-see-are-their-shells-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't think anyone wants to do the same thing over and over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bachmann/i-don-t-think-anyone-wants-to-do-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again/) [Eric Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bachmann/) > [“A car is one of the most interesting inventions, but driving is one of the most boring activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-car-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-inventions-but-driving-is-one-of/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [The most total opposite of pleasure is not pain but boredom, for we are willing to risk pain to make a boring life interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/the-most-total-opposite-of-pleasure-is-not-pain-but-boredom-for-we/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [We shop out of boredom, for release, for excitement, for a sense of achievement, for a sense of control over our unruly existences. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/we-shop-out-of-boredom-for-release-for-excitement-for-a-sense-of/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [That human life must be some kind of mistake is sufficiently proved by the simple observation that man is a compound of needs which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/that-human-life-must-be-some-kind-of-mistake-is-sufficiently-proved/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [Isn’t ‘not to be bored’ one of the principal goals of life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/isn-t-not-to-be-bored-one-of-the-principal-goals-of-life/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [The worst sin, the ultimate sin for me, in anything, is to be bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-turner/the-worst-sin-the-ultimate-sin-for-me-in-anything-is-to-be-bored/) [Ted Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-turner/) > [Exploitation and manipulation produce boredom and triviality; they cripple man, and all factors that make man into a psychic cripple turn him also into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/exploitation-and-manipulation-produce-boredom-and-triviality-they/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“To me, at least in retrospect, the really interesting question is why dullness proves to be such a powerful impediment to attention. Why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/to-me-at-least-in-retrospect-the-really-interesting-question-is-why/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Listen deeply. Meditate on that which is arising. Even if it's boredom or difficulty or maybe a feeling of being stuck, that in itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-yee/listen-deeply-meditate-on-that-which-is-arising-even-if-it-s-boredom/) [Rodney Yee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-yee/) [Browse all 1,505 Boredom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boredom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Boredom is a very self-conscious emotion by definition. Interest is not. 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