Members of Gen Z are Sitting in Silence to Reset Their Attention Spans. Some Say It’s Harder Than It Sounds
Members of Gen Z are Sitting in Silence to Reset Their Attention Spans. Some Say It’s Harder Than It Sounds
Ashley VegaTue, March 17, 2026 at 6:45 PM UTC
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Stock photo of a woman meditatingCredit: Getty -
TikTok creators are filming themselves attempting a “do nothing” challenge with no screen time
Videos showing the awkward silence have drawn millions of views and reactions
Experts say intentional boredom can support mindfulness and emotional processing
For a generation raised on constant scrolling, streaming and notifications, the idea of sitting quietly with nothing to do has become a surprisingly compelling challenge.
Across TikTok, creators are documenting attempts to spend dedicated time alone without phones, music or television as part of a growing wellness trend centered on intentional boredom. The concept is simple: set a timer, resist digital distractions and see what happens when the mind has nowhere else to go.
Woman deep in meditation stock photoCredit: Getty
One creator, who posts as @katend06, filmed herself trying what she described as “raw dogging boredom for 15 minutes a day,” laying out strict rules that included no food, no screens and no background noise. Her video, captioned “I saw someone else do this and wanted to try,” has drawn more than 11 million views and over 1.5 million likes as viewers watched her shift between fidgeting, staring off into space and reflecting on the experience.
Others have approached the challenge with curiosity and humor. Creator Bradley James, who posts as @bjbuter, shared his attempt with a text overlay noting he has severe ADHD, capturing moments where he appeared to forget he was even filming. “At times I forgot I was recording and just sat there thinking,” he wrote in the caption, as his video racked up more than 1.8 million views.
For some users, the trend has even turned into a social experiment. In a widely viewed clip from creator Bells, who posts as @indicaidiot67, two friends tested their tolerance for boredom together, joking in the on-screen text that one of them had severe ADHD while the other did not. The video has since surpassed 3.7 million views, with commenters debating whether the challenge feels more like mindfulness practice or a test of modern attention spans.
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Mental health experts say the underlying idea behind the trend is not as unusual as it might seem. Psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis, who specializes in ADHD and anxiety, explained that taking intentional breaks from stimulation can have real psychological benefits.
“Anytime that we can unplug and just be in the present moment is a healthy thing,” Sarkis said, as per USA Today, noting that sitting quietly with one’s thoughts can help people process emotions and experiences they might otherwise avoid. She added that many people appear to be reaching a saturation point with social media and are searching for ways to feel more grounded.
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Research has suggested that constant exposure to short-form video content may negatively impact attention spans, making deliberate moments of stillness increasingly appealing. Sarkis said balancing entertainment with intentional boredom can support mindfulness and improve overall quality of life.
As more creators share their experiences online, the challenge has sparked both skepticism and genuine interest. For some participants, the silence feels uncomfortable and unfamiliar. For others, it has become a rare opportunity to slow down, reflect and reconnect with their thoughts in a digital world that rarely stops moving.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
