By Becca Cohen
Slowing down is just as valuable as achievement. Some of the best ideas don’t come from rushing between meetings but from moments of stillness—sitting on a bench, taking a slow walk, or embracing boredom. In those quiet moments, the mind processes ideas in ways that structured schedules often don’t allow. Creativity, reflection, and self-discovery thrive in the spaces where we allow ourselves to just be.
Psychologists highlight the default mode network (DMN)—a state where the brain, free from tasks, sparks creativity. Research shows that boredom fosters problem-solving and innovation. When we constantly seek distraction, we miss these mental breakthroughs. A study found that people who engaged in mundane tasks before tackling creative problems performed better than those who didn’t experience boredom at all. This suggests that giving the mind a break allows it to reorganize thoughts and form new connections.
Our obsession with productivity often comes at the expense of these natural mental processes. With endless digital stimulation, we rarely give ourselves the opportunity to sit in silence, let our minds wander, and tap into our deepest thoughts. But those moments—of looking out a window, walking without a destination, or sitting in stillness—are where true clarity can emerge.
College should balance productivity with self-discovery. Take the long walk, sit in silence, and let your mind wander. Often, the greatest ideas emerge when we stop forcing them. Give yourself permission to slow down, detach from the constant need to achieve, and trust that progress isn’t always about doing more—it’s also about thinking deeper.
The world moves fast, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Sometimes, the most meaningful growth happens not when we push ourselves to the limit, but when we step back and simply let life unfold.
Happy Valley Comm 