19 Ideas on Finding Time to Think

It seems there is never enough time for anything. We have a lot of tasks we need to complete; so many things to do to avoid getting buried by life. But, this leaves little time for contemplation. Plain and simple – there’s no time to think. The kind of thinking where you can get rid of distractions and do away with that little voice in your head reminding you of everything that needs to get done.     

There are ways to get back our time. Instead of sitting in front of the TV all night and making status updates I’ve come up with some alternatives. 

Here are 19 ideas on finding time to think:

Look out the window: I don’t know if anything beats daydreaming. There’s so much going on outside that you can’t help but reflect on what’s going on inside. Clouds, trees, insects, animals, and people can trigger so many thoughts.  

Watch a sunset: It’s a great way to look back on the day and look ahead to tomorrow. Sunsets are never the same. You’ll observe different hues, different textures and depending on the amount of clouds the sunset can surround you. And it can change for an hour or so, even after the sun goes down. Don’t miss the show in the sky and the chance for your mind to wander.  

Look at the stars: This gets you thinking about life’s big questions. You can’t help it. It puts life into perspective looking up at the universe at light that might be hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years old. You realize you are a speck, yet full of possibilities. 

Sit by a lake or river: Being near water is relaxing. The movement of the water and sound can be hypnotic. If you’re able to sit in a canoe in the middle of a lake try it. You’ll be right in the middle of the experience.   

Make a bonfire: Watching the flames dance and hearing the crackle of the fire connects us to our ancestors and another part of ourselves.  

Plant a garden or a tree: Getting your hands dirty reconnects us to the earth. It’s as if a chisel cracks away the shell of modern society and you and mother nature are reunited.  There’s something sacred about planting a tree. Maybe because it’s going to be there for years; possibly longer than we are. It’s majestic and mighty.   

Listen to music: I love this one. I get lost in music a lot. It’s where I go to feel like I’m alive. Music stimulates the creative side of my brain. 

Go for a drive or a road trip: This is where you can really get to know someone and know yourself a little bit better too. It’s a great way to strip away the layers and be honest. It might be because you need to travel light and it gets you back to the essentials – food, shelter, sleep, and companionship.

Read: It takes you to another world and makes you ponder life’s big questions. Every once in a while change it up by adding poetry, philosophy, mythology, or some sacred text (whatever that means to you) into the mix. It elevates our thoughts.   

Draw or paint: I always loved drawing, like most kids. I took drawing and painting in college and it opened my eyes to observe things differently. Pull out a pad of paper and a pencil and see what happens.   

Work on a crossword puzzle: There’s something that happens when you play with words. Seeing a word can trigger so many thoughts. Words can take you from point A straight to point G and then point S with no idea how you got there.  

Build a model: It takes focus and discipline. When you start, it can feel overwhelming with so many pieces to fit together. You can’t rush it and it’s a good way to slow things down. I loved building model tanks and airplanes as a kid.    

Play catch: There’s something relaxing about throwing a baseball around. You get into a rhythm and it can be a kind of meditation. Don’t have a baseball? Try a football or a frisbee.  

Shoot hoops: More good exercise that forces you to concentrate and think about your shot. It’s good for focus. Plus, you have the rhythm of the ball bouncing and hitting the backboard or net for added stimulation.    

Go fishing: There’s nothing better to slow things down. It’s just you, the water, a fishing pole, and a friend or two. Don’t worry about catching fish. That’s not the point.   

Go for a walk: More good exercise that makes your senses perk up.   

Ride a bike: Good exercise and you get to see things from a different perspective. The sound of the rubber on the road or trail can be hypnotizing. 

Explore nature: Listening to the wind blow through the trees and birds singing is calming. Add the sound of water running over rocks or a waterfall and you’ve got yourself the perfect place to stop and take a meditation break.        

Take a shower/bath: We’re at our most vulnerable here and maybe our most honest. We’re naked and we’re not wearing the mask or persona we wear the rest of the day. It’s our true self. We can relax and let go of everything we’re holding onto here and feel the hot water, the steam, and the solitude like nowhere else. This will stimulate amazing thoughts.       

This list gives us a way to get unstuck and think our way into a more positive existence. We need time to think and re-group. School has semester breaks, in football and basketball you have halftime; take time for yourself to re-think your game plan.    

When do you find time for yourself? How are you able to think clearly? What are your results, or what do you hope the results will be?