New Delhi, Aug. 17 -- Remember the days of calling out, "Ma, I'm bored"? That simple universal refrain now almost seems alien and challenges the current 'hustle culture' riddled with constant notifications, places to go to and to-do lists. Yet, for a growing chorus of voices - from therapists to educators, musicians, and artists - boredom is an unlikely gateway to emotional clarity, creativity, and deeper well-being.

For Bengaluru-based artist and general physician Dr Bhoomika Ananth, boredom at 2 am resulted in a spur-of-the-moment Instagram story which in turn led to one of her most iconic works. "After a day spent sleeping, I was wide awake in the middle of the night and decided to recreate Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' in the city. I...