Loading Screens
When I first started working from home two years ago, I would take a 15 minute walk around the neighborhood at the end of the workday. I did this for both the fresh air and to draw a clear line of separation between working and resting. Normally, the drive home from the office would do that part for me. But since I was already home, I had to find another way to draw the line.
Basically, I was used to there being a "loading screen" in between sections of the day, and I needed to recreate that loading screen in order to disconnect from work and enjoy the rest of my day.
Other Loading Screens
Movie previews are an example of a loading screen. Some people swear by needing to watch the previews. Even though I don't understand it, I can appreciate that this is a loading screen for them; it separates real life from the movie they are about to see.
Waiting in line for a ride is a loading screen. And even on top of that, the rollercoaster's slow climb upwards is also a loading screen.
Long trips are loading screens. When you fly to Mexico City, you have a few hours for Mexico to "load in". Then, you are in a different world.
Loading Screens Are Important
I think it's important to add loading screens between activities. Otherwise, everything ends up being blended together into one experience. Taking the time to separate things from each other increases their importance.
It's especially harmful when you do multiple things at once. I can't watch a movie and browse Twitter at the same time. Multitasking is the exact opposite of enjoyment, because nothing you are doing is important enough to be the one thing you are focused on. But even though the advice is often to stop multitasking, I propose that it's important to go a step further and add loading screens between tasks to give your brain time to adjust.
Add loading screens to your life. You might enjoy things better that way.
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