Sometimes the Most Productive Thing You Can Do is Have a Shower
Last week, I nearly bought a waterproof speaker for my shower. I loved the idea of listening to a podcast while getting ready for the day, turning a few minutes of quiet time into a learning opportunity.
But I stopped myself just before I reached the checkout.
Why was I trying to fill this time?
For me, the shower is one of the few environments where there are no screens or demands. It is an opportunity for quiet reflection and the incubation of creative ideas. When we do something routine and repetitive, like showering, our brains do not switch off. Instead, they enter a state where the mind can wander and connect different ideas.
By adding a podcast to that time, I was replacing my own thoughts with someone else’s. I was trying to optimise a moment that is actually more valuable when it is left alone.
So, this is a note to self and anyone else who needs it:
Not every gap needs to be filled. Quiet time is not wasted time. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is let your mind wander while you enjoy having a shower.
