20 Reasons Why Millions of People Get Their Best Ideas in the Shower

Photo by Majestic Lukas on Unsplash

During the past 35 years, I’ve asked more than 10,000 people where and when they get their best ideas. I get all kinds of answers, but the one that has fascinated me the most is “the shower” — maybe because I also get so many of my good ideas there.

What follows are 20 reasons why showering is so conducive to creative thinking.

1. Showering signals “a new day” or “new beginning.”

2. You’re usually alone, with time to reflect.

3. Interruptions are rare.

4. The rush of water creates a kind of white noise that makes concentration easier.

5. Shower stalls look like little incubation chambers.

6. Water is associated with “contemplation” (i.e. sitting near a river, lake, or ocean.)

7. Showering is a metaphor for “getting rid of the dirt” — the stuff that covers up what’s beneath.

8. Showering is a ritual. Lots of creative people like to have little rituals to get their head in the right place.