Where do you do your best thinking? I've been trying to contemplate the answer to this question. Much of my most creative thinking seems to take place in the shower or the bath. This is where ideas pop into my head out of nowhere. It's quiet, soothing, relaxing and I always seem to solve a problem or think of a better way to teach that lesson. I can't figure out why it's in the shower or bath where I think creatively. The water! It's got to be something about the water...maybe it reminds me of the beach and it's relaxing.
Another place where I seem to puzzle out problems is in the car. My commute to school is five miles, but I mentally go through my day on the ride and picture the students and I working. Often a bright idea pops into my head and my lesson plan changes instantly! (Thank goodness, I'm an early riser!) Oh that reminds me...most of my best thinking is done early in the morning. I'm refreshed and ready to face a new day.
Where do you do your best thinking? When can you puzzle life's mysteries?
Thanks Stacey, for the shout out on Two Writing Teachers. I'm grateful for this community!
The shower is a good thinking spot for me too. I'm a morning person too so reading and writing online early also gets me thinking.
ReplyDeleteLee Ann, That's so true. Reading and writing always motivate and inspire me!
DeleteI think it must be the water. When I used to get up to swim in the mornings, the laps in the pool became my thinking time.
ReplyDeleteSwimming in the morning...what a wonderful way to start the day! And now that you mention it...swimming at pools and the ocean work the same way for me. Thank God for water!
DeleteUnfortunately, my best thinking wakes me up VERY early and pokes at the inside of my forehead until I get up and write it out. I do like the shower, though--I would agree with the others, too.
ReplyDelete"pokes at the inside of my forehead" OH, I know those mornings!
DeleteThe ride to and from work seems to inspire lots of ideas, as does the dog-walking time. AND early in the morning! Once you start thinking like a writer, ideas are everywhere.
ReplyDeleteTara, You made me smile!! "Once you start thinking like a writer..." YES! Thanks!
DeleteThese are the exact 2 places where I also do my best thinking! I think, for me, it's the only places I have solitude. It's the only place it's quiet enough to think!
ReplyDeleteShowers and a commute - I am there with you in having ideas pop out. I haven't figured a way to get a waterproof notebook for the shower. I also find reading other posts gives me ideas and so I try to have a notebook nearby. Glad you are posting.
ReplyDeleteI'm a late night person, so my best thinking is late, but also in the bath or shower like you described. Your words reminded me that I had a student a while ago (middle school) whose mother bought her those bath crayons because she always said she wrote the best lines for poetry in the shower. She was a good writer. Happy to see you here again sharing, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI often do my best thinking in those places. Also in bed late at night. That's why it helps to have a notebook nearby my bed!
ReplyDeleteI too am a morning person who gets up at 4:45 most days to write, read, reflect and exercise. Like you my best ideas come early in the day, and often on my commute (1+ hours) to work!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do come up with ideas in the shower and on my drive to work (about 20 min.), my best ideas come when I'm walking. And I completely agree with Tara: "Once you start thinking like a writer, ideas are everywhere."
ReplyDeleteMy thinking time is when I am pedaling on my bike observing the countryside. I think I'm always in a rush in the shower, I don't seem to do much thinking in there.
ReplyDeleteMy best ideas seem to come during walks, drives, and showers...in no particular order! Glad you joined the writing community!
ReplyDeleteI am an incurable insomniac. My best thinking comes between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. when I am trying to fall back to sleep and not wake my husband. I keep a pad and pen on my nightstand where I jot down notes because, by morning, all of that great thinking is gone if I do not write it down!
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