What happens in my head when I forget headphones

I typically have three sets of headphones in my work bag. Why? Great question, I don't know either. But somehow none of them were in my bag today, and I was left headphone-less for an entire day at work. Here's exactly what happened in my head throughout the day:

It won't be THAT bad, right? I've forgotten my glasses before and found ways around that (scrolled in so close an old man with glaucoma could read), so I can handle it...yes.

Yes, I can do this. Here we go on our unintentional day of silence.

Phew, it sure is quiet.

Is that me typing so loud? Crap, I sound angry. People probably think I'm mad. Lighter on the keys, girl. Get yourself together.

Oh my gosh, people can actually probably hear me sighing all the time! They're going to think I'm fatigued. Well, I am so that's not that bad...

Wow, it's really quiet. I can't get over how quiet it is. I wonder what people think about all day that don't have music on usually.

Jeez, someone's breathing really loud. No wait -- that's just me again. I clearly have no cubicle decorum.

OH MY GOSH! I MAY HAVE MY HEADPHONES IN MY CAR.

Let me go check. No wait, I'll wait to lunch. Get yourself together, you can do this.

Everyone else sits in silence all day, you can do this.

Phew silence is pretty silent. It's making me tired. I need more coffee. Is three cups of black coffee bad? No, I've read about it and it's not.

Okay, I will definitely get my headphones. This is making me stir crazy. Maybe I can play it really softly and no one will hear it.

Yup, definitely playing it out loud. And it's really loud. I need those headphones.

I don't know how people do this all the time. Screw it...going to get my headphones. I don't need to prove that I can do this to myself. Someone invented headphones for a reason.

Bye silence. Until next time. Oh wait, no-- I hope there isn't a next time.

Making my Office More Conducive to My Creativity

I do some of my best thinking in some pretty identifiable places. I know myself well enough to know that when I need to think about an important matter I need to get to a certain place. Furthermore, I know where I need to go to feel most creative. My office desk doesn't fall into either of these categories. That made me think:

What if I could make my office more like all of my most intellectually stimulating zones?

The Shower

Hands down, if I need to clear my head or make a major decision, I take a shower. Naturally, I wanted to contemplate why the shower is such a good place for me to think, so I got in the shower. Here's the list of answers I came up with:

• I am alone with my thoughts.
• There are no distractions.
• I feel safe.
• I'm relaxed.
• I'm warm.
• I'm naked.

(The last one, I'm not sure actually helps my thought process, but it does make me comfier.)

My Bed

My bed is where I come up with all my inane, crazy, creative ideas that inspire me to actually take action on something. While my most practical ideas happen in the shower, my best and most inspired ideas happen in those moments right before I go to sleep, or right when I wake up. Why?

• I am alone with my thoughts.
• There are no distractions.
• I feel safe.
• I'm relaxed.
• I'm warm.
• I'm naked.

But what perplexes me most is why the shower and bed have different affects on my cognition. You would think that since the list is identical, the shower and bed would have the same effect, but they definitely do not. I'm thinking it is the state of mind I am in more than where I am.

So, how would I make my office more similar to my favorite thinking zones?

Is that even a question? Obviously I need a bed and a shower in my office. Or better yet, I can just work from home, since just any bed won't be the same.

Or maybe I can find a way to replicate the sentiments of safety within my own office, which might be a more practical answer.