But busyness has a way of stealing creativity from you. Generative work, like art and writing, requires long periods of nothingness: it’s only in that wide empty space that ideas emerge. Long runs, hot showers, commutes that don’t involve harried Slack messages and listening to podcasts at 2x speed. Sitting at the edge of a dock, listening to the... See more

You used to get your best ideas in the shower.

Now you have a waterproof phone case.

Scrolling while eating. Podcasts while walking. Background noise just to fall asleep. We've eliminated every gap where the mind once wandered.

As a neuroscientist, I can tell you - your brain needs those gaps. Try one silent walk this week and see what comes back.

We are overstimulated and we don’t even notice. Netflix while eating. Reels in the bathroom. Music while cooking. Podcasts on walks. We consume by default, not by intention. You keep filling every gap, Then wonder why you feel foggy and unmotivated. Boredom and silence are the real growth drivers. They give you space to think and create. That’s... See more