Why you need to carve out thinking time

I don’t know about you, but the slow reintroduction to everyday living, albeit with some restrictions, is tiring me out. I struggled during the early days of lockdown, pining for people. I have always viewed myself as an extrovert, gaining energy from other people. But the past year has highlighted that I am more of an “extroverted introvert”. Whilst social interactions do energize me to a degree, I need much more downtime than I originally thought. I never really considered that the tiredness and slight irritably I felt after socializing was actually because I was “peopled out”! If you are like me, the past year may have led you to some revelations about what you need, then this is the article for you! Today, I want to talk about the importance of carving out thinking time for your creativity, productivity and general wellbeing.

 

One thing we have all had to deal with is the ever-changing rules, requirements and workloads. For some it’s been full-on and overwhelming, for others it’s been feast and famine; business ups and downs balanced against home-schooling, increased childcare and limited time to do what makes us feel great. Now we are returning to some elements of predictability, it’s very easy to slide into full-blown “action”. We are trying to catch up on everything we feel we have had on hold, whilst cramming our diaries full of those people and places we have missed out on.

Whilst it can be exciting and inspiring to see those blank diary spaces fill again, be wary of slipping back into the habit of full days and just reacting. I have spoken before on my blog about the power and importance of the seven different types of rest (if you have missed it, read the article here). We need psychological space to recharge and allow our creative juices to flow.

I have experienced this issue firsthand, as I have recently found myself returning to bad habits. Since my two children returned to school in March, I’ve been working on picking up where things had to slack off, workwise, whilst reacting to what needs doing right now. Whilst this was great in the early days, it’s left me feeling tired and creatively stunted. I can see my diary creaking with things that need to be done, and EVERYTHING feels urgent!

So, what do I need to do? Take my own advice and schedule in blank time. At the moment I am sticking to my aim of walking the school run, so that gives me at least 20 minutes a day to clear my head; I am also working on keeping my smartphone in my bag during that time (that is a work in progress). This “bookends” my working day with movement; you may remember from previous blogs that walking is a great way to reduce stress and clear the mind. These short bursts of thinking time also help me solve the conundrums that are holding space in my brain. Whilst my feet are pounding the ground, issues get unravelled in my head.

I challenge us all to take this one step further. To regain the habit of blocking blank time into my diary. This time sits and waits for me to plot, create and problem solved. It allows me to doodle and dawdle. It’s a place I can park any problems or worries I may have, which in turn helps keep me calm as I know I have the time to “constructively worry”.

So, I’m going to do something different in this blog. I’m going to stop writing. I’m giving you some free time to think. Take the space on this page as your creative space, and work on what you need for yourself………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…. And how you are back! How was it! I challenge you to slot out some thinking time in your diary. Be it paper or pixel, come along to Creating Careers to Enjoy and tell us what works for you!