Getting Real with Mindfulness Ep. 4 - Mindfulness is Boring
From The Oxford Mindfulness Podcast by Oxford Mindfulness
January 26, 2026 · 40 min · Episode 109
About this episode
This episode explores the concept of boredom in mindfulness practice and its potential as a doorway to creativity and awareness.
In this episode of 'Getting Real with Mindfulness', Claire Kelly (Oxford Mindfulness) and mindfulness teacher Victoria Fontana unpack boredom in mindfulness practice – why it can show up, why it feels so uncomfortable, and how it might actually be a doorway into creativity and awareness. The function and roots of boredom are explored, including its evolutionary role as a motivator and the neuroscience behind it. Claire and Victoria emphasise not judging feelings of boredom, but using it as a signal to practise mindfulness more skilfully. 👥 About the Hosts Claire Kelly is a mindfulness-based mentor and the Director of Teaching and Training at Oxford Mindfulness. With over 25 years in education, she's also passionate about developing and delivering evidence-based programmes to support mental health and wellbeing in education. Victoria Fontana is a certified mindfulness and compassion teacher, executive coach, and educator who helps people cultivate calm, clarity, and resilience in their lives and work. Victoria teaches mindfulness and compassion-based programs internationally through IE University, the Mindfulness and Health Institute, and through her own programs at…
People in this episode
Host: Claire Kelly
Guest: Victoria Fontana
Topics covered
- mindfulness
- boredom
- creativity
- awareness
- neuroscience
- mental health
Keywords
- mindfulness
- boredom
- creativity
- awareness
- neuroscience
- mental health
- mindfulness practice
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Oxford Mindfulness, IE University, Mindfulness and Health Institute, mindgazing.com
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