Winter Neutrals and Thoughts on Boredom + Creativity

February 8, 2018

Winter Neutrals on Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy

Confession: I love TED talks. This one left a major impact on me as I prepared to quit my job, in fact. The other week I watched a TED Talk by Manoush Zomorodi entitled How Boredom Can Lead To Your Most Brilliant Ideas and man, did it resonate. 

Sarah Flint Loafers I on Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy

In the talk Manoush addresses how, when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy forming new connections that connect ideas and solve problems. But, in today’s society, we very rarely allow ourselves these moments of autopilot or boredom because we are multi-tasking at insane levels. We’re checking our phone nearly 100 times a day, we’re opening and surfing on 10+ tabs in a web browser, we’re checking apps incessantly…you know how it goes.

Camel Coat styled with white jeans I Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsyI have faced such frustration with myself with how easily I get distracted nowadays. I will be doing something on my computer and then realize I need to check my synced calendars on my phone to see about my availability before I reply to an email but the moment I pick up my phone, I forget what I’m doing because I’m suddenly on Instagram. The behavior is infuriating. And, sometimes, while I wait for a page to load in my browser before I even know what I am doing I am checking other tabs to see what’s new in my various inboxes. Can I truly not wait 10 seconds for page to load!? Does anyone else relate to this? Even during the TED Talk I did multiple other things. (The video is only 15 minutes…I mean come on, Meghan! FOCUS!)

Winter Neutrals I wit & whimsy

Since watching this TED Talk I’ve been trying to allow myself times of less multi-tasking. Whether it is folding laundry or riding on the subway without looking at my phone or having my morning coffee without checking Instagram. During these times I’ve realized how much more relaxed I am and how I begin to think of other things.

Styling White Jeans in Winter I wit & whimsy

Relatedly, remember when I spoke in this post about how I had learned that going on walks can be one of the best things to do to cure a mental block? The very activity of doing two things at once (walking + thinking) can spark ingenuity and creativity. As I previously noted, it makes so much sense to me because I often get some of my best ideas during workout classes. (Not super ideal as I don’t have a means of writing said ideas down when I am mid-jump squat but I try hard to remember them till the end of class when I can do so!) But, regardless, since I work by myself I can sometimes really miss the creative power that comes from group brainstorming or being surrounded by other people.

Styling White Jeans in Winter I wit & whimsy

My favorite part of the talk was when Manoush says “Just know that, by doing nothing, you are actually being your most productive and creative self.” What a delightful thought in this day in age where we are multi-tasking maniacs.

Styling a camel coat with white jeans I seen on Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy

If you watch the video I’d love to hear your thoughts! And also perhaps you guys will test out the theory with me in the coming weeks!?

Classic Winter Neutrals on Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy

Hope you guys also enjoy this easy look made up of winter neutrals. Whenever I can’t think of an outfit I just choose pieces in the same color scheme – ha!

Sweater (also here; wearing a M) // Similar jeans // Sarah Flint Shoes (c/o – they come in 4 colors! These are next on my list from this awesome brand) // Coat // Bag

More good neutrals:

 

p.s another casual look with this coat & another neutrals look.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]

comments +

  1. Sue says:

    What you are describing is exactly how I have been feeling lately. I reach for my phone seemingly involuntarily at this point. For no real reason than that it has become habit. And I can feel the effects: less creativity, feeling increasingly more distracted, etc. I really want to work to change this. Going to watch the video you suggested! Thanks!

  2. Kate Scott says:

    Love this! Over the weekend, I left my headphones at a friend’s apartment and at first, I was frustrated to not be able to listen to music or podcasts on my commute. But I started to enjoy the thinking time and even was able to keep my phone in my bag instead of mindlessly playing games. And it was actually a very enjoyable time! Here’s to hoping that million dollar idea will somehow appear between now and when I get my headphones back… 🙂

  3. Melissa says:

    I have been feeling the exact same way. I noticed how overwhelmed and frustrated I was at work when I had seemingly endless projects but couldn’t stop myself from grabbing my phone and mindlessly scrolling Twitter or checking my email a hundred times a day. The past two weeks I have made an effort to “mono-task” by putting my phone in a drawer and closing out all of my tabs to focus on one project, or by setting specific time periods and limits to check my email. It has definitely been helping me feel more focused!

    • Meghan says:

      Exactly how I’ve been feeling, Melissa! A never-ending to do list and zero ability to focus! I love the idea behind “mono-tasking” and definitely need to try and employ this as well! Thanks for sharing your experience!

  4. MarciaMarciaMarcia says:

    This is so true. It’s one reason why I make a point of not wearing headphones when I’m walking my dogs or trail running. It’s really nice to just be outside, unplug, and just let thoughts flow. My running friends and I often joke that we solve the world’s problems when we’re running!

    • Meghan says:

      Maybe you are your running group one day will! I love the sentiment of this and that you see the value in taking time to be alone with your thoughts! Have a wonderful weekend, Marcia.

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