Peace is a Productivity Tool

Productivity can often feel heavier than it should be. Not because I lack motivation or interest in my goals, but because my mind rarely feels quiet. I’ve come to realize that peace is a productivity tool. Without mental clarity, our focus can disappear, and even the smallest things on our to-do list begin to feel overwhelming. 

Why Productivity Feels Harder Than It Should 

I’ve always been a creature of habit. I like my routine, organization, and the satisfaction of getting things done. Starting university, I knew these skills would carry me through my new responsibilities. In the UK, especially, academic accountability is very self-directed, and success depends on how well you manage your own studies. With a few major deadlines each semester, my productivity, or lack of it, is entirely in my hands. Even with motivation, when my scattered or restless thoughts go unchecked, I can easily fall into a listless mindset, leaving me mentally “stuck” in my day-to-day routines.  

How Constant Stimulation Disrupts Focus 

Coming across Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy episode “Doom scrolling is Ruining Your Life,” I had an epiphany. We all know how social media is detrimental to our society, is shortening our attention spans, etc.; what I hadn’t fully grasped is how deeply quick media has conditioned us to avoid stillness. My constant urge to reach for my phone wasn’t just about addiction; it was about distraction. Stillness feels uncomfortable, so I fill every quiet moment I have with noise. Consequently, I avoid the space my head needs to focus, think clearly, and actually accomplish tasks. 

Even though scrolling feels therapeutic in the moment, it covertly heightens my anxiety. Every spare moment, whether getting ready, cleaning, or walking to class, becomes filled with music, TV, videos, or endless reels, nearly blocking any time for me to interact with my thoughts. Cooper mentioned how this pattern showed up in her sleep, and I immediately recognized it in my own. The second my head hits the pillow to sleep, the stress I subconsciously avoided during the day surfaces all at once, creating a constant loop of mental unrest, leaving me unsure how to feel “un-stuck.”

Reclaiming Focus and Peace 

I’m not saying I’m swearing off social media and pop culture. What I am saying is that I’ve become more aware of how constant stimulation affects my ability to begin tasks. Every time I reach for my phone instead of starting something, whether it’s writing an essay or even getting up to do laundry, my brain is forced to react to new stimuli instead of calming down. By avoiding peace, we are subtly making ourselves more and more overwhelmed, even though it feels as if we are simply “rotting.” To overcome this sense of restlessness, here are some ways that I believe can help us slow down and bring our day-to-day peace back:

Complete a full task in silence. 

This is a challenge Cooper recommended in her podcast. She recommends you choose one task you have been putting off and complete it without checking your phone and without background noise, even music. It can be hard to push through at first, but it can train your brain to stop constantly searching for that hard-to-resist stimulation. 

Take advantage of St Andrews’ Peaceful Nature 

Our campus offers countless opportunities to recharge. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the social pace of university, but let’s not forget how authentically beautiful and raw St Andrews is. Grab a coffee, go for an East Sands walk, or even take a sea dip if the weather allows. 

Indulge in Slow Media 

I think we often forget how much we appreciate slow media when we get caught up in our busy lives and don’t allow ourselves time to fully indulge in it. Take time to read or watch a film without simultaneously scrolling on your phone. Slow media gives our brains one thing to process at a time, calming the nervous system rather than overstimulating it. This sense of calm can carry into the rest of your day. I always find it therapeutic when I fully immerse myself in something that is more dense and thought-provoking. 

What Slowing Down Taught Me About Productivity 

My biggest takeaway is that feeling productive doesn’t require constant motion. Instead, slowing down and centering my focus has helped me feel less overwhelmed and held back by anxiety. After countless times of questioning why starting tasks feels so unreasonably intimidating, turning inward and rethinking how I interact with my environment has been impactful. Prioritizing peace is foundational and grounding, and when we allow ourselves this quiet, productivity becomes something purposeful.

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