Like many folks in tech, my head’s usually full of noise; podcasts, playlists, Slack messages, meeting notes. But I’ve found an unlikely place where my brain slows down just enough for creativity to catch up: the swimming pool.
Running fills the time, swimming clears the mind #
Three mornings a week, I hit the gym before work. I start with a 30-minute run, usually fuelled by a podcast or a mix from Glitterbox, Defected, or even my own House Finesse show. It’s productive, energising and full-on.
Then I swim.
No headphones, no music, no podcasts. Just me, four tiled walls, and water. It’s not inspiring on the surface, but it’s where the best ideas tend to bubble up.
Creative sparks in the quiet moments #
There’s something about the repetition and stillness that opens up space in my brain. Without distractions, I find myself drifting into ideas; not just for ALL THE side projects but also family stuff and work.
It reminded me: creativity often needs silence, not stimulation.
No browsers. No doom-scrolling. Just stillness.
The annoying bit: trying to capture it #
The ideas come but the problem is I can’t easily do anything with them.
My Apple Watch isn’t very helpful with wet fingers (I even struggle to end or pause my workouts).
I can’t exactly start shouting notes into my phone around the pool either - the strangers would be worried.
So, at the moment, I try to brain dump as soon as I get back to the locker room. But inevitably, some of them slip away.
Where I’m heading with this #
I’m still figuring it out, but I’ve started experimenting:
Taking more tech-free time outside the pool (quiet walks and screen-free lunch breaks
Bouncing ideas around with ChatGPT hands-free whilst driving - remarkably convenient when you're stuck in the car for up to an hour
Finding faster ways to get notes down straight after a workout, possibly using some AI to structure them thoughts
Letting go of the need to capture everything and trusting the best ideas will come back
Over to you #
If you’re feeling creatively blocked, maybe try doing less. Let yourself be bored. Go for a swim. Or a quiet walk. See what comes up.
Just don’t expect your tech to help while you’re dripping wet.