Do you ever allow your mind to wander?

How often are you actually alone with your thoughts?

In our ever-growing technological world, it’s easier than ever to distract ourselves. Standing in line at the grocery store? Scroll Instagram. In the elevator? Check email. At a red light? Respond to a text. We’ve eliminated so many of those micro-moments where our brains can just be.

And it doesn’t stop there. We listen to podcasts while we drive, and even while we shower. We have Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on in the background while working on our laptops (guilty). Rarely do we give ourselves the chance to let our minds wander.

In my practice, I notice that many clients are actually frightened to be alone with their thoughts. They’re scared of what might surface if they let their minds drift, so every moment gets filled with background noise. Silence feels threatening. Stillness feels unsafe.

But what do we miss when we do this?

For one, regulation. Constant stimulation can keep our brains and bodies in a state of low-grade hyper-alertness, never fully getting the chance to rest. We also miss out on creativity. When all we do is consume, it becomes much harder to connect with our own creative spark. And perhaps most importantly, we miss the opportunity to truly get to know ourselves, to build a deeper, more honest connection with who we are beneath the noise.

So what can we do about it?

Start small. If being alone with your thoughts feels overwhelming, don’t jump straight into silence for an hour. Try not turning on a podcast on your way to work. Take a walk around the block without headphones. Lie on the floor in silence for five minutes.

Just notice what comes up.

You don’t have to fix it. You don’t have to analyze it. Simply allowing space for your mind to wander is often where regulation, creativity, and self-connection begin.