I caught myself in the shop queue with my phone already out. A few minutes of waiting, and I had filled them without noticing. And I was not even busy that day.
That is what a long to-do list does to you. Thinking and checking on things becomes the habit for every spare minute. The walk happens while on a call. The morning coffee doubles as the first half hour of email. The meeting ends and your thumb is already swiping the phone open.
And each pairing makes sense on its own. A walk with a call beats no walk. A fresh morning brain writes the important email faster. But add them all up, and your mind barely gets a stretch with nothing to work on.
Those plain moments are when your mind sorts things out. Studies say short moments of boredom are good for your brain: regular ones benefit your nervous system and mental health, and lead to fresh ideas and better problem-solving. That is why the thought you chased all day turns up in the shower, one of the few places left where only one thing is going on.
You can plan the week well, sleep well, and still end it with a crowded head. It is not just about the hours. The walk had your call in it. The queue had your screen in it. It’s the mental sorting that never got its turn.
The good news is that the fix is a subtraction, not an addition. You are not adding anything to the week. You are leaving one pairing behind. The walk is just a walk. Queueing is just queueing.
It feels odd the first few times, standing there doing nothing, not even a podcast in your ears while walking. And then it feels strangely satisfying. Like you’ve got a bit more control over your own life.
Take 10-15 minutes over the weekend to reflect on these questions:
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Looking back at your week with a lens of “just letting yourself be”, what stands out for you?
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How does that land? Does it feel light or uncomfortable?
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Based on how you feel, what is one thing you could do to make stronger, or less?
What insights did you get? I’d love to hear.