Rawdogging Boredom: Why Gen Z is Choosing to Do Absolutely Nothing

The rawdogging boredom took off after productivity creator Rowan started posting daily time-lapses of himself sitting in silence for an hour. He wanted to rebuild his attention span after it was destroyed by constant scrolling. His videos ended up going viral, and now millions are watching his journey — and trying it themselves.

So, what is rawdogging boredom? It's the practice of enduring a period with zero external stimulation or "protection" from your own thoughts. No screens, no podcasts, and no distractions. Just you, doing nothing and sitting still for 10 to 30-minute sessions, though some content creators push it to an hour or longer.

If you want to understand why boredom actually helps your brain without staring at a wall for an hour, check out the summary of 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport on the Headway app — 15 minutes of reading that might save you hours of rawdogging.

Where did this trend come from?

"Rawdogging flights" exploded in mid-2024 when men began bragging about surviving long flights while watching nothing but the flight map. No headphones. No movies. And sometimes no water or bathroom breaks.

TikToker SOUTH WESTY went viral with his caption: "pov: you successfully completed another 7h flight only watching the maps." The comment section was filled with men one-upping each other on how long they could "fly raw." Even Manchester City striker Erling Haaland joined in, calling a seven-hour flight "easy."

From there, the concept drifted into everyday life. Unlike The Millennial Pause (that awkward beat before speaking on camera), Gen Z editing moves fast. The idea of doing something "raw" — without protection or preparation — spread to walks, meals, and eventually just sitting alone with your thoughts.

Why is Gen Z obsessed with boredom?

The backlash against overstimulation is real. Studies show the average attention span on screens dropped from 150 seconds in 2004 to just 47 seconds today. Psychologist Gloria Mark found the median is even worse — about 40 seconds before we switch tasks.

Social media has created what many call "brain rot." Young people grew up with constant dopamine hits from scrolling, and many say they feel the damage. 

➡️ Check out our previous article 'How to Get Rid of Brain Rot'

Rawdogging boredom is essentially a way to reclaim control over the brain's reward system. When every notification triggers a tiny hit of dopamine, sitting quietly becomes genuinely difficult. And that difficulty is exactly the point.

The psychology: Is it actually good for you?

Surprisingly, yes — when done safely. 

When your brain rests from external stimulation, something called the Default Mode Network activates. A 2025 study found that this network directly supports creative thinking and problem-solving.

Researchers discovered that wandering thoughts during rest indicate idea quality. Your brain isn't shutting down when you're bored — it's processing emotions, connecting memories, and generating insights. Those "shower thoughts" everyone talks about? That's your Default Mode Network doing its job.

Bella Dane, an influencer who practices rawdogging boredom, describes it this way: "You will have the most creative ideas ever when you allow the mind to be bored." She's not wrong. The science backs her up.

Think of boredom tolerance as resistance training for your focus muscles. Each session builds capacity for sustained attention. People who try the trend report needing their phones less, finishing movies without checking social media, and feeling more present during conversations.

But there are real risks. The flight version, with no water, no movement, and no bathroom usage, is physically dangerous. Doctors warn about the dangers of dehydration and blood clots on long-haul flights. The home version is much safer, but for some people, total silence leads to spiraling thoughts rather than peace. If you struggle with anxiety, start small or consider guided meditation instead.

How to rawdog responsibly

Let's be honest: This practice is just mindfulness with a rebrand. Meditation teachers have been advising, "Sit with discomfort," for thousands of years. Gen Z just gave it a name that grabs attention.

If you want to try it, here's a practical approach:

• Start with 10–15 minutes, not seven hours. 

• Set a timer, put your phone in another room, and sit. 

• Don't skip water (that's just dehydration with extra steps). 

• Use the time to think, not just zone out. 

• Notice what comes up. Let thoughts pass without grabbing your phone to escape them.

The point isn't suffering through boredom for social media clout. It's building your tolerance for an extended period without constant stimulation. Each session trains your brain that screen time isn't the only option when you feel restless.

Try 10 minutes of rawdogging today. Notice how hard it feels. Then, if you want to understand the deeper science behind focus, attention, and habit formation, the Headway app has 15-minute summaries of the best books on the topic. You'll learn faster than staring at a wall — and actually enjoy the process.