It happens to me every afternoon. Some time between 2 and 3 or so, I find myself surfing the web, pushing refresh a dozen times on my website stats page, itching for a walk, allowing the cat on my lap thus ensuring I can’t type… whatever.
Before I quit my day job to make a living as a professional writer, I used to try to fight through this Idiot Hour. I’d feel guilty for not being as productive, and I’d try to concentrate and keep going. I used to keep peppermint and lemon essential oils in my desk drawer to sniff them when my brain went dead.
But now that I work for myself, I recognize these little mental shutdowns as real needs for a small break. Sometimes it takes me a few moments to realize how distracted I’ve become — for example, I’ll kind of “wake up” in the middle of blind-blog surfing to realize I’m not getting any real work done.
When it happens now, I run an errand, take a walk, watch an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (don’t ask — I’m addicted), eat some edamame that has to be shelled, cuddle with the cat, take a nap, etc. And I don’t feel guilty because I know that after my brain break, I’ll be fresh to get back to work.
I have the same sort of metabolic slump from about 2:00 to 3:00. When I was in college, I would schedule my classes so as to have a break during that part of the day.
I think more of the world needs to take a page from the Spaniards’ book and declare midafternoon siesta. There have got to be more than the both of us out there going “duhh” during that point in the day.
Be thankful you just have an “Idiot Hour.” I find that I have entire “Idiot Days” now!
Isn’t it nice that you’re now in a position to recognize what’s going on, and take steps to nurture yourself, instead of pushing through and forcing things? I’m sure it makes you more creative, and better at what you do.
meetzeep, Thanks for stopping by. That’s exactly what it is — a siesta. Only it’s not as hot here in San Diego, so I’m not really avoiding the heat.
Ms. McQueen, I totally agree with you. It’s so much nicer to be able to give in to one’s natural rhythms instead of working the typical 9-5.
Of course, right now I’m watching Buffy. I’m not sure that’s party of anyone’s natural rhythms. Oh well.
There’s been a lot of research that shows how important it is to take breaks. Sometimes they recommend them on a regular basis, but for me it’s whenever I need one. Sometimes I get in a rhythm and can work productively for many hours straight (if I can avoid distractions like having to answer the phone and go to meetings), but sometimes my mind decides it needs a break and automatically shuts down the work processing (as you described). So now I recognize that as a time I should check my blogs or go talk to someone or walk around — whatever. And after a short respite, I’m (at least somewhat) ready to start working again.
I’ve been unemployed for six months. It’s to the point where I feel like I have entire idiot days.
I also envy your commitment to edamame. Time spent shelling them is still better for you than ten minutes of wiping Oreo Cakester crumbs off your t-shirt.
Not that I just did that or anything.
I’m not kidding anyone about my nutritional dedication, gordonshumway… I just fessed up in a comment on another blog that I made a marshmallow run to the store last night. And one of the keywords that keeps finding my site is “cupcake.”
I think I’m the only one in the universe who eats marshmallows by themselves. In the microwave, they puff up so beautifully….
I suggest taking a break and a brisk walk for about 10 minutes. It will restore your super blogger energy pack and give you some more fresh new creative ideas for you blog.
Try it tommorrow.