The Ability to Switch Off is a Profound Habit No One Tells You About

In my previous post, I talked about how important it is to put yourself more in Boredom. Additionally, in his second book, The Comfort Crisis, author Michael Easter emphasizes the meaning of boredom multiple times:

“Boredom is neither good nor bad. How you respond to it is what can make it good or bad. When we’re bored, our minds tell us that whatever we are doing isn’t working―we’re failing to satisfy our basic psychological need to be engaged and effective. Too many of us respond poorly. We become prone to accidents, risky activities, loneliness, and ennui, and we waste ever more time on technological distractions.”

Boredom is supposed to tell us something. It can be an emotional feeling that we have been neglecting our whole lives. It can be a moment to reflect on something missing in our lives. It could be letting our minds rest and reflecting on what really matters. Or it can be a source to gain a different perspective and develop something new.

It is a shame that we no longer let ourselves be in the Boredom. We keep on busying ourselves to the noise of the world. We no longer listen to the deepest part of us that might be holding the answer that we’ve all been searching for.

Boredom allows our minds to wander.

Mind wandering can sometimes lead to spontaneous creative thoughts and insights. When the mind is free to wander, it can make unexpected connections and generate new ideas or solutions to problems.

Aaron Sorkin, the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director behind The Social Network and The West Wing, found that no matter how hard he racked his brains at his desk, inspiration would most likely strike while he was unwinding in the shower. So, naturally, he had one installed in the corner of his office and proceeded to bathe eight times a day.

Sir Isaac Newton, the renowned physicist and mathematician, spent time in isolation during the plague years (1665–1666), a time known as the Great Plague of London. During this period, he made significant contributions to science and developed his theories of calculus, optics, and the laws of motion.

His activities during the isolation at Woolsthorpe included his observation of an apple falling from a tree. This simple observation led him to contemplate the force that caused the apple to fall and, eventually, to formulate his law of universal gravitation. The legend suggests that this moment of solitude and observation sparked Newton’s curiosity and inspired him to explore the fundamental principles governing the motion of objects.

By allowing our minds to wander, we’d notice that ideas can come from anywhere if only we are aware, sensitive, and open. The moment of solitude allows us to unleash the magical part of the brain, which can be a realization, new ideas, and different perspectives.

Interestingly, David Perell, in his recent tweet, stated that most of the people he admired have a way of escaping the bubble of culture:

A cultural bubble is a condition in which individuals or groups are isolated from or unaware of cultural perspectives, ideas, and influences outside their social or cultural environment. It can result in limited exposure to diverse opinions, beliefs, and lifestyles, leading to a narrow understanding of the world.

To counter it, Bill Gates has his own famous Think Week, where he takes a week off from his regular work routine to seclude himself in a quiet, distraction-free environment and cabin every year.

The purpose was to escape the daily demands and distractions of running Microsoft and to create an environment conducive to deep thinking by having some goals to expose himself to diverse ideas and information that could stimulate creative thinking. This process helps him organize his thinking and provides a reference for future decision-making. By stepping back from the day-to-day operations, he can see the bigger picture and envision how Microsoft can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

On the other hand, Walt Disney used train rides as a form of isolation and thinking time. He had a miniature live-steam railroad named the Carolwood Pacific Railroad in his backyard. This 1/8th-scale railroad featured a locomotive, cars, and about 2,615 feet of track. Disney built this private railroad at his home in Los Angeles, providing him with a personal space for contemplation and creativity.

Disney’s retreat on the rails extended to the “Lilly Belle,” a special car attached to the Disneyland Railroad in Disneyland. Named after his wife, Lillian Disney, this car allowed Walt to combine his love for trains with his need for solitude. The Lilly Belle was elegantly decorated and featured comfortable seating, providing a tranquil environment for Disney to think and plan.

Disney often used his train rides for ideation and storytelling. He found the train rides to be a form of escape from the hustle and bustle of his daily responsibilities. It is said that he would take these rides alone, circling Disneyland Park, and use the time to conceive and refine ideas for new attractions, characters, and storylines. The train’s rhythmic sounds and the ride’s repetitive nature offered a soothing backdrop for creative thinking.

Switching off, reflecting, and wandering.

Whether you are on a tight project schedule, working for something big in a company, running your own business, or simply living your life as a normal person, it is important to set up a time to switch your brain off for doing nothing, reflecting, observing thoughts, and mind wandering.

You don’t have to bathe eight times a day like Aaron Sorkin, have a think week where you isolate yourself in a cabin like Bill Gates, and build your railway like Disney. You can start by finding alone time in your existing schedule.

Here are some examples that you can think of to switch off and start wandering:

1. Some people prefer to use commuting in public transportation as a way to disconnect and let their minds wander. Some friends no longer use their time to open their phones, use social media, and read books while commuting. They choose to switch off. They let their mind look around the people they see on the train. They try to be more aware of their surroundings by looking at how people are standing and holding the pole, how seriously an older adult reading a newly published newspaper is, how lovely it is for a mom who’s taking her daughter to school, etc. You’ll notice there are many things we can appreciate from the things we see and experience daily if only we are open to it.
2. It would be a great place to switch off if you have a car. Turn off the music. Don’t reply to any texts you receive. Reject the impulse to listen to podcasts. Enjoy your time alone in the car while going to work. A friend of mine told me that he loves driving a car because it’s the only time he has to be alone with his thoughts, considering he has a family that needs his attention the most. Car time feels like an oasis from his busy work and family schedule. He’s leveraged it at its best!
3. A weekend getaway to nature is my favorite. Usually, I spend it with some friends. We go to nearby mountain areas or rural villages where we can enjoy nature, switch off from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy our moments together.
4. Exercising is also a good way to use it as a solitary activity. You might notice why some people run so much and go to the gym or CrossFit. Exercising is intended to clear their thoughts. Exercising sometimes feels like hitting a reset button for the day because exercising puts you into the present moment, where you can’t think of anything else besides your struggle when exercising.
5. Engage in a hobby. Who knows if you have a natural talent to be a singer, guitarist, pianist, actor, painter, chef, gardener, and writer if you never put your time into it? Give yourself permission to engage in your existing hobbies or explore new ones. Making time for hobbies can be incredibly rewarding as it allows us to engage our minds and hearts fully, find purpose and meaning, and experience satisfaction from pursuing something we love.
6. Walking around the park, neighborhood, and anywhere close by. Make walking your default mode of transportation. There are tons of health benefits to walking. Out for lunch with friends? Go on foot. Get sunlight and walk around your neighborhood or the park first thing in the morning. Are you having a dinner in a mall? Go for a walk around the mall. Wherever you are going, as long as it is close to each other, try to walk instead of using vehicles. Walking has proven to be a reflection of new ideas.
7. Meditation to feel calm and peaceful. Imagine how effective humans can be if they are not anxious all the time. Meditation is the remedy for it. Whether you meditate by focusing on your breath or using a guided meditation app, it is a way to achieve mindfulness, where you feel calm in the present moment and aware of your surroundings.

We can use these examples to introduce solitary activities to our daily lives. It is important to note that you should do these with more intention and prioritization because it is so easy to dismiss as, naturally, we have yet to become accustomed to these types of habits or activities. We prefer to numb our minds through phones, social media, movies, etc, as our default compulsion. We need to fight against it. We can’t let those compulsions colonize our minds, as they are our assets to protect.

Set a schedule on your calendar to do these at a minimum of 15–30 minutes daily. Then, expand as you gain more benefits from solitary activities.

What are your favorite solitary activities? Please share it in the comments.

P.S. This post is firstly published on Fitgeist.