How mind wandering benefits our creativity
My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely - Anon
Throughout January, I have felt a strange sense of calm for the first time in a long time.
I've been feeling like this since way before Christmas, unusually so.
I am no stranger to anxiety and stress, some of which are menopause, and the rest is life in general.
I am considering the possibility that I may have reached a time in life where everything has fallen into place, or is it the calm before the storm?
I see life like a half-empty glass of wine rather than half-full.
As I write this, I ask myself if I am putting the kibosh on life and things.
A natural catastrophizer, I prepare to anticipate worst-case scenarios.
It's just me - I hope for the best and plan for the worst, my axiom.
A sense of uncertainty or expectancy.
I am never overly optimistic for fear of disappointment; I am too much of a fatalist and certainly not one to carpe diem despite my outpourings of hope and renewal in 2025 in my last post.
That said, it has served me well over the years to look at life in equal measure.
Life is forever hectic, so slowing down and reflecting is good. Perhaps admitting to the above suggests I am 'being' rather than 'doing'.
I often consider what-if scenarios to the point where my mind keeps repeating the words "pink envelopes" until it quietens; this reflects the fragility of an overthinker.
I would like to believe that this is a passing phase and all part of menopause, but it most certainly is not.
But in my quest for silence, there are scenic stops where I allow my mind to wander, daydreaming, a quiet comfort.
Mostly, this happens while cleaning my teeth or staring out the kitchen window, watching the rain fall or waiting for the kettle to boil.
There's nothing wrong with taking a break from the humdrum of the everyday routine; with mental stress skyrocketing, allowing the mind to wander and lose its train of thought is relaxing and cathartic.
Creativity and inspiration happen when the mind can roam free and be reflective. An idea comes to mind and takes seed, enabling you to think about it freely.
Funnily enough, this happened to me recently. I switched off from what I was doing, my mind relaxed, and an idea seeded itself about my future work life.
I then went into research mode, finding as much information as possible and drawing a mindmap centred on the idea; it was a lot of fun.
With constant connectivity and distracting devices, daydreaming becomes less available as our minds are forced to focus on work, home, and family.
We spend time ruminating over a problem or niggle, and the mind never gets a break; mine certainly doesn't.
For me, walking, hiking, and climbing are not just physical activities but a sanctuary from the chaos of life.
In the quiet and solitude of nature, my mind finds peace and is open to new ideas.
Walking reminds me to look up and around to embrace what is beneath my feet, slow down, breathe in, and appreciate the view.
But to get to this point, my mind wanders off, emptying itself and enabling me to be in the moment.
And that is when my creativity is ignited.
Finding time to step away from the desk and do nothing is a mindset change, a habit where you do nothing for a few minutes.
It is not about laziness; it allows the mind and brain to rest, breathe, and be still.
So, if you are anything like me, the next time you do the laundry or clean the kitchen floor, declutter your brain and allow your mind to wander freely.
