Can You Be Alone With Your Own Thoughts?

Can You Be Alone With Your Own Thoughts? When was the last time you had absolutely nothing to do? No phone. No podcast. No music. No scrolling. Just you and your thoughts. In a fascinating University of Virginia-led study, participants were asked to spend a short period of time alone with their thoughts. In one experiment, 67% of the men and 25% of the women chose to give themselves at least one mild electric shock rather than simply sit there. Even more surprising, they had previously said they would pay money to avoid that same shock. Apparently, being alone with ourselves can get uncomfortable pretty quickly. In this episode of Brave Moves , I’m exploring our growing discomfort with empty space and what might happen when we stop filling every available moment with something to consume. We reach for our phones while standing in line. We put on a podcast while walking. We check email while waiting for an appointment. Sometimes we barely give our minds a chance to wander before we hand them something else to pay attention to. But those quiet moments can matter. They give us space to notice what we’re thinking, allow our minds to wander, and sometimes hear the thoughts that have been buried underneath all that noise. And yes, I fully appreciate the irony of telling you this while you’re listening to a podcast. What You’ll Hear • What researchers discovered when people were asked to sit alone with their thoughts • Why boredom and solitude can feel surprisingly uncomfortable • How constantly reaching for stimulation can become automatic • The difference between solitude and loneliness • Why letting your mind wander may support creative thinking • A simple way to begin practicing intentional quiet without turning it into another thing you have to be good at Your Brave Move Give yourself five minutes without consuming anything . No phone. No music. No podcast, including this one. Take a walk, drink your coffee, sit outside, or stare out the window. Pay attention to what happens. If you instinctively reach for your phone, notice it without judging yourself. Then give your mind permission to go wherever it wants to go. You might be surprised by what has been waiting for a little quiet. Before You Go If Brave Moves gives you something to think about, follow the show so you don't miss the next episode and share this one with someone who could use a little more quiet in their life. And if you try the five-minute challenge, come find me on social media and tell me how it went. Was it peaceful? Uncomfortable? Did you make it five minutes without reaching for your phone? I really want to know. And hopefully, you won't need an electric shock to get through it. If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though. Support the show Why Isn't This Working? QUIZ Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan . Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum. If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with you