What is Ennui?

Ennui is a state of mind, or perhaps a state of being. It's that feeling of being trapped in a never-ending loop of tedium and listlessness. You know, like that one aunt at the family reunion who talks about her cat's dental issues for hours on end.

Or, if you're feeling particularly fancy, it's like being stuck in a bad dream where you're stuck in a never-ending cycle of boredom and despair.

But don't worry, ennui is not just for the clinically depressed or the terminally bored. It's for anyone who's ever felt like they've been trapped in a bad movie, or a worse TV show, or perhaps a slightly-less-better-than-average video game. You're in good company!

Common causes of Ennui:

• Overthinking things that are, in fact, not worth thinking about
• Watching paint dry
• Playing Candy Crush on an iPhone 4s
• Reading the entirety of Wikipedia in 1 hour 45 minutes and 32 seconds

Want to learn more about the lesser-known cousin of Ennui, Despair?

Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, check out the What is Ennui-Adjacent page for a thrilling exploration of ennui's lesser-known relatives!