The million-dollar ideas hiding in silence

Last week, my girlfriend shared something with me, which inspired today’s idea.

She goes to a yoga studio where they take her phone at the door.

As she waits for class to start, usually 10 minutes, thoughts start pouring in. Her mind lights up and ideas fire in all directions. Great ones!

She finds herself wishing for a pen and paper.

“Why don't I get like this during the rest of my day?”

She's “alone” often. But not like that.

Not phone-free. Not disconnected. Not present with her thoughts.

I’m sure you can relate. I do.

Maybe when you forget to take your phone to the bathroom and suddenly you’re hit with five great ideas mid-poop 😄

Or when you're on a plane with no Wi-Fi, no entertainment, just your brain doing its thing again.

Are You Starved for Solitude?

Cal Newport calls it solitude deprivation:

You might be by yourself, but if your mind’s always plugged into podcasts, feeds, texts... that’s not solitude.

That’s noise. Digital noise.

Alone But Online vs. Alone and Offline

Alone But Online

• Phone in hand, notifications buzzing

• Background noise always playing

• Constant input from other minds

🔻 Outcome: Mental clutter, creative fatigue

Alone and Offline

• No screens, no voices

• Just your thoughts, unfiltered

• Room to wander, connect, reflect

🔺 Outcome: Clarity, focus, real ideas

Side Note

Loneliness isn’t the goal.

Solitude is about reconnecting with yourself. We need each other!

So yes, make space to be alone and offline. But nurture your relationships.

Text a friend. Call your mom. Stay connected to the people who bring you back to yourself.

How I Find Solitude

The Sauna

I’m privileged to have access to one. It’s where I think best! Honestly, unhookd’s roadmap was ‘cooked’ in there.

If you haven’t yet, sign up for the waitlist! Launching this summer.

Walks

With my phone in my pocket and headphone-less.

Bonus: Carry a pocket notebook and pen to jot down ideas you don’t want to forget. I’m bringing this habit back as I write this.

Chores

Washing dishes, folding laundry, meal prepping.

I’m always tempted to listen to a podcast (and I do sometimes). But they’re the perfect quiet pockets of thought that add up.

The Solitude Check-In

Next time you’re alone, ask yourself:

1. Am I truly alone or Alone But Online?

2. What’s my mind trying to say when I’m not filling the silence?

3. Where can I find 10 minutes of real quiet today?

4. What tools help me stay present? A walk, notebook, airplane mode?

I highly recommend Paul Graham’s The Top Idea In Your Mind essay:

Your Best Ideas Aren’t Hiding Online

They’re not in your next Instagram session. Or email. Or newsfeed.

They’re sitting quietly, waiting in the space you haven’t given them yet.

Make time for both.

I’d love to hear how solitude shows up in your world. Hit reply and let me know. I read every email!

See you next week,
George

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