Candid Quick Take: The Genius of Zoning Out
- Jillian Oetting
- Dec 4, 2024
- 5 min read
My sister works in the AI industry (cue the dun dun DUNNNNN), so naturally, I asked her the most important question of our time: "Can you create an AI that’s basically my personal assistant, something I can talk to all day long? It’ll make lists for me, integrate with all my apps, wake up to a word or name, and—most importantly—help me remember everything I think of while I’m in the shower."
She paused. "While you’re in the shower?"
Yes, the shower. My thinking cave. My safe space. Where I do my best work. I am the best inventor in the shower. I craft the most epic comebacks in the shower. I solve life’s mysteries and come up with genius ideas in the shower. It’s like I unlock a secret part of my brain when the water is running.
But the problem? As soon as the water stops and I step out into the cold air of the bathroom… it’s all gone. Poof. Just like that.
Apparently, I’m not alone in this. There’s a reason why so many people have their best ideas in the shower. And no, it’s not just the steam. It’s science.
The Science of Unfocused Thinking
So, what is it about the shower that turns us into creative geniuses? It all comes down to how our brains work when we’re not actively trying to focus. Scientists call it the ‘default mode network’ (DMN)—but all you really need to know is that this part of your brain lights up when you’re zoning out.
When you’re not focused on a specific task, your brain goes into idea-processing mode. It starts connecting random thoughts, memories, and things you’ve learned—kind of like brainstorming without even realizing it. That’s why you’ll suddenly remember where you left your keys or come up with the perfect solution to a problem you’ve been stuck on for days. It’s not magic, it’s just your brain doing its thing when you give it a break.
Why the Shower Works (and Other Places Too)
The shower is basically a creative playground for your brain. But it’s not the only place where this kind of thinking happens. Here’s why the shower works so well, and where else you might notice your brain’s creative side kicking in:
• No Distractions: In the shower, there are no emails, texts, or notifications interrupting your thoughts. The same thing happens when you’re taking a walk, washing dishes, or driving on an open road—you’re physically doing something, but your mind is free to wander.
• Repetitive Motions: Whether it’s scrubbing your scalp, scrubbing dishes, or putting one foot in front of the other on a walk, these kinds of movements create just enough structure for your body to keep busy while your brain roams freely.
• Relaxation: Warm water relaxes your muscles and your mind, which is why showers and even washing dishes are such a hotspot for creativity. But you might feel this same effect when lying in a hammock, doing some light gardening, or even zoning out during a slow jog.
So while the shower might feel like the magic zone, it’s really just one example of how your brain thrives when you give it space to breathe. If you’ve ever had a brilliant idea while walking the dog or folding laundry, now you know why.
Why Focusing Too Hard Doesn’t Work
Have you ever tried so hard to solve a problem that it felt like your brain just gave up? You stare at the screen, your notes, or whatever it is you’re working on, and nothing clicks. That’s because when we focus too hard, we tend to get stuck in the same patterns of thinking.
When you focus intensely, your brain zeroes in on what it already knows. That can be helpful for tasks like following a recipe or solving a math problem, but for anything that requires creativity or out-of-the-box thinking, you need to let your brain wander. This is why stepping away from a problem—literally taking a walk or switching to a different task—can feel like hitting the refresh button for your mind.
Letting go doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re giving your brain the space it needs to work things out. When you take a break and do something mindless, like folding laundry or taking a walk, your brain has a chance to connect the dots in ways it can’t when you're intensely focused.
Think about how many times you’ve had an ‘aha!’ moment after walking away from something that felt impossible just an hour ago. That’s your brain doing the behind-the-scenes work while you’re not paying attention. Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to stop trying so hard.
How to Harness Unfocused Thinking (And Hold On to Those Aha! Moments)
So, we know that unfocused thinking works wonders, but how do you make the most of it? And more importantly, how do you hold on to those brilliant shower ideas before they disappear into the steam? Here are a few tips to keep the magic alive:
1. Be Prepared:
If you are like me and you already know that your best ideas come to you in the shower, leave your phone somewhere nearby and turn on voice activation (Siri, Google, Alexa) of some kind to allow you to speak to your phone while you are otherwise occupied. This way, you can quickly give a voice command to make a note or add a "to-do".
2. Create Your Own "Shower Moments":
You don’t have to wait for your next shower to tap into this kind of thinking. Try activities that let your mind wander, like taking a walk, doing the dishes, doodling, or even sitting quietly without distractions. The key is finding something repetitive or relaxing that doesn’t require much mental effort.
3. Set a Daily Brain Dump Session:
Carve out a specific time each day to jot down thoughts, ideas, or solutions you’ve been holding on to, even if they seem random. Doing this regularly trains your brain to save and organize insights for later processing.
4. Use Keywords:
If you don’t have time to elaborate on the idea or thought, jot down just one or two keywords that anchor your thought. For instance, if your idea relates to a project, write the project name followed by a single word describing the idea.
5. Embrace the Aha! Moments When They Happen:
When inspiration strikes, don’t overthink it. Capture it in whatever way you can—write it down, record it, or even just repeat it to yourself until you can hold on to it. Those moments are fleeting but valuable.
The Takeaway
The next time you find yourself solving the world’s problems—or just your own—in the shower, give yourself a little credit. Your brain is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do when you give it space to breathe. And now, with a waterproof notepad or a quick jot-down habit, you can make sure your brilliant ideas don’t slip away with the water.
Because let’s face it: some of our best work happens when we’re not even trying.
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