Ideas Underwater

by Kathy on July 23, 2012 · 8 comments

in Inspiration, NaBloPoMo, Quotes, Sean, Writing

Towards the end of this past school year I chaperoned a field trip with my son Sean’s second grade class to the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) here in Chicago. I was responsible for exploring MSI with a group of five students, including Sean.

I have always loved going to MSI and especially enjoy experiencing it through the perspective of grade school kids. Sean’s classmates and I had a lot of fun that day checking out various exhibits, learning about Science Storms, playing in The Idea Factory and even getting to make slime!

At some point during the day we were wandering through an exhibit when I saw this quote on the wall:

It really speaks to me, because as I recently shared here, one of my simple pleasures in life is taking long and hot showers. But what I didn’t say in that post is that I do some of my best thinking and musing while I am there under the water.

My showers aren’t so long because of my skin and hair care routines, though I do get clean while I am in there. They tend to go on for a while because it is “me time” where I can relax, clear my mind and process what is happening in my life.

My blog hop/writing exercise Time Warp Tuesdays was conceived during one of my showers last year, as have some other of my favorite blog post ideas.

Another reason I love the quote pictured above, is because it is not just about coming up with awesome ideas, it addresses what we do with them.

I pride myself on taking action and following through, after I get out and dry off, on many of the ideas that come to me while I am underwater.

Do you find yourself brainstorming while you are in the shower?

Have you ever come up with a really great idea that way?

Did you do something about it after you got out and dried off?

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Molly Jo July 23, 2012 at 11:28 pm

Kathy, I absolutely LOVE this post! I agree, showers are the best place to think. Yes, I’ve come up with some amazing stories in the shower and yes, I have dried off, sat down, and written them out. Thanks for posting the quote. That’s magnificent!
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2 Jjiraffe July 24, 2012 at 1:52 am

One of the consulting companies I worked with used an ad of someone in a shower saying “Our best ideas often originate in strange places. We’re always thinking about your company.”

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3 Mud Hut Mama July 24, 2012 at 3:25 am

I love that quote and this post – so very true although I never really thought about it until I read this. My shower is my time to unwind and it’s about the only uninterrupted time I have, although my littlest still finds me there occasionally! I do get some ideas that I think are pretty good during that time – sometimes I act on them but often I get caught up with life and they are forgotten. I think I might start keeping a notepad in the bathroom.
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4 Hippy Chick July 24, 2012 at 10:45 am

I love this post!

We are a family of five and sometimes, by the end of the day, I just need ten minutes to myself. Last night, the kids were asking for snacks, I had just finished working out, the house was a mess, and my husband was tired. I told the kids to find their own snacks, I had to take a shower.

It’s my refuge! Ten minutes of being blissfully alone, no demands, no one talking at me. Yes, I do brainstorm, but I also brain-calm. I organize my thoughts and plan my next move. If I have a lightbulb moment while I’m in there, yes, I generally take action as soon as possible, even if it’s just writing it down.

Showers are good.
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5 Ren July 24, 2012 at 11:39 am

I love sorting out my thoughts and organizing my day in the shower. There is something about warm water cascading that is very calming.
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6 Lori Lavender Luz July 24, 2012 at 1:57 pm

Yessity yes yes yes.

I do all my best thinking in the shower. Something about the properties of falling water droplets, I suppose, and the relaxed state of solitude.

I think Perfect Moment Mondays came from the shower, as do many of my blog posts, and even the conception of a couple of entire blogs (Drama2BMama and AllThumbsReviews).
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7 Jennifer July 24, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Hello from ICLW! What an interesting post. I don’t really take the time to think in the shower, may need to see if some inspiration strikes!

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