Is your screen time fuelling your creativity or just draining your focus?

Dr. Srini Pillay, M.D. suggests that the magic often lies between deep focus and those ‘unfocused’ moments. He encourages taking breaks for ‘constructive daydreaming’—whether you’re gardening, reading, or knitting, these mindless activities can spark your next big idea.

Melbourne artist, Minna Leunig, and New York sculptor, Maya Beverly, agree—distraction isn’t always a bad thing. It might be a sign that your ideas need more time to simmer or that you’re not fully invested in a project. The good news? Attention is a renewable resource IF you know how to recharge it.
In fact, screen time can actually play a role in this ‘constructive unfocus.’ Here’s just a few ways we harness it to inspire and refuel:

• Online talks like: TEDX/Intelligence Squared/The Royal Society/Humanists UK (at Conway Hall)
• Creative inspiration on Pinterest and writers’ work on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Garden designers who reflect our own love of gardening like Piet Oudolf
• Blogs and case studies from other agencies
• The rich history and resources of the St Bride Foundation (major London hub for the creative arts)

In Leunig’s words, “The internet can be an unhinged, frenetic, and disturbing place.” But what if you flipped the script and saw it as your creative playground? Share when it feels right, experiment without pressure, and keep the joy in your creative process.

The bottom line? Screen time can be both a muse and a menace. The trick is to be INTENTIONAL—set boundaries, and use digital tools to enhance, not hijack, your creative flow.

Read the full article on It’s Nice That here: Does screen time help or hinder creativity?

… And creds to Jason Ingram for the great shot of a Piet Oudolf-designed garden!