Oddly enough, one of the questions I’m asked most often (even more than if I color-code my closet) is, “How do you come up with enough ideas for all your blog posts?”
My short and somewhat silly answer is: “I take a shower every night before I go to bed!”
Yes, you read that right!
I don’t know about you, but I get some of my best ideas when I’m in the shower — not only for blog content but also for house projects, decorating tips, recipe ideas, meal plans, craft projects for the kids, and pretty much anything I’ve been thinking about during the day.
Ironically enough, I actually came up with the floor plan for our master bathroom renovation while I was showering in another bathroom 🙂
I suppose I do get quite a few blog post ideas from readers asking questions on various topics, but outside of those questions, most of my blog posts are mentally drafted in the shower, while my children are soundly sleeping and Dave is “manning the monitors”.
I’m not exactly sure how or why showering helps to spark so many ideas in my brain — but it is very common for me to finish my shower, dry off, and quickly grab a pen and paper to write several thoughts or ideas down before I forget them again.
Aside from the shower, I’m also able to do some quality thinking when I walk or drive ALONE — however, with 3 kids, I rarely walk or drive anywhere alone these days!
How about you?
When and where do you do your best thinking?
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I don’t color-code my closet 🙂
Amanda Carlen says
I take a bath every night and read. I also keep a pad of paper and pen by the tub. I come up with great ideas, things I want to research, things I need to do or tell someone. I also keep a pad and pen by my bed – I think of lots of stuff in the 10 minutes before I fall asleep! I have an app on my phone and I can speak into it to create a list in the car.
Reelika @Financially Wise On Heels says
Oh wow, looks like there is something great going on with the shower 🙂 I can totally relate! I get my best ideas while taking a shower too. Therefore I now have a notebook and a pen in my bathroom as well, because I don’t want to forget my ideas 🙂
Patti Trevino says
Hi Andrea! LOL…. I too, get my most “genius” ideas when taking a shower! I thought it was so strange that this was a pattern for me to do my best thinking, that I actually researched the phenom, and we are not too quirky :)… It’s actually quite common. Apparently it has to do with the stimulation of the water running over our heads and down our bodies… Quite interesting! I do have to say, I don’t have as much valuable time when in a bath tub, which is prob why I only take showers :). Anyway…. Just wanted to share!
Kim says
Yes! I love thinking in the shower. I think it’s because it’s the one places we can be ourselves and focus only on the present moment when BAM we’re hit with all of these ideas that have probably been there all along but only surface when we take a moment to ourselves and “breathe” 🙂
Kim says
Oh! And I keep an “aquanotes” notepad in the shower for those ideas that I want to write down immediately 🙂
Andrea says
That’s so smart. I’ve honestly never even thought about doing that!
Natalia says
Driving does it for me, too. Just today I wrote the outline of a presentation I need to do soon, on a little notepad I keep handy. Just a few words, to remind me the key points. Tore off the page and I’m ready! (Yes, I hit a lot of red lights!!!)
Another creative moment for me is while doing dishes. I think it’s the running of water and mindless motion…
Melissa says
I think you might need these: myaquanotes.com!
I get all my ideas usually when I’m driving. Sometimes I have to turn on my phone recorder so I can just spill them all out!
Angie says
I’m an early riser…usually around 5 AM…I love to sit on my patio with my cup of coffee (or 2 or 3), amidst all my lush plants and backyard gardens and trickling fountain. This is where I do my best thinking and praying. My hubby refers to it as my SANCTUARY! It truly is! AND I keep a notebook handy to jot down ideas! 🙂
Kerri says
Get the markers kids use to color in the tub. You can write down your ideas as they come to you.
Mrs. Crackin' the Whip says
I think best when I am all alone and there is complete and total silence! And of course this is very hard to come by!
Yvonne Ostman says
Definitely while working in the garden, or while sewing/knitting or doing something else with my hands. Working with my hands allows my mind to relax, and my thoughts to wander, that´s usually when God has a chance to get a word in. 🙂
Alicia G says
Ha! As soon as I saw the title, I was like “in the shower!” Same here. Something about that uninterrupted, completely ME time that inspires some of my best ideas.
Jules says
Love it! I’m a runner and I get so many ideas while I am out for run. Routine practices like showering, running, or driving seem to trigger something in all of us. I like to think our brains know this time is coming and conveniently turn on the creativity at an opportune moment 🙂
Lauren says
Have you ever considered doing a Fall to-do checklist? Since we have such extreme season changes in W. Michigan it seems there is lots to do! Adding kiddo stuff to it would be so helpful as well. I keep looking on Pinterest for ideas and nothing! Except for things like repair sidewalk cracks (really?!).
Examples: wipe down And put away lawn/deck furniture. Wipe down and store kids water toys. Have irrigation blown out/ put hoses away. Review baking supplies for holiday baking.
It’s kinda like Martha’s calendar on her magazines but for the “common folk”. Lol
this is something that has been twirling around in MY head for the last few days.
Andrea says
Lauren, here’s a post I wrote last fall — I think it’s kind of what you’re looking for 🙂
Maybe I’ll need to do an updated one this year. We’ll see!
MomofTwoPreciousGirls says
modt of my ideas flood while I’m trying to go to sleep! I trIced the whole keep pen and paper by the bed but hubby did not appreciate this practice when I would wake at 2am!!
So my mind races with every little to do and keeps me up all night. Then it’s forgotten…oh well.
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen} says
So funny! All my best ideas come to me in the shower, I need to keep a pad and paper close by like you do 🙂
Deni says
I definitely do my best thinking and praying in the shower! I get lots of clarity and direction.
Kelly Hess says
I am exactly the same as you. The shower always brings about my ideas and then when I walk. I sneak in walks by myself (and a dog) once all the kids are in bed. My husband stays home while I venture out for 30-45 minutes. It is my favorite time of the day to enjoy the fresh air and quietness!