Is it normal to pace around while thinking?

I've seen this sort of thing portrayed in media, like when a character is put into a predicament and has to think their way out of it. It happens when I'm brainstorming, so I just assumed it's something most people do. However, I've actually had quite a few people comment on how weird my pacing is, and I figured I should ask on this site. Is this something you do, and if not, are there any other habits you have while thinking?

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Comments ( 8 )
  • Blipblorpbing

    I do it while memorising.

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  • Wryladradofft

    I do the same, and as far as I'm aware it's not uncommon

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  • yuccatheplant

    It is quite normal. Some people concentrate better on things if they can move cerntain muscles - most commonly legs.

    You actually reminded me of one of my teachers at High school, who would pace around during lectures.
    He very commonly either walked in circles around classroom, or did that thing where he would go two steps forward, two steps backward, so he would not leave the front part of the classroom. Now that I am remembering about it, it sounds weird, but not a single person would comment on it when he did it, which I find very comforting now. He was cool teacher though.

    Also, a lot of people likes to walk around when talking with somebody through phone.

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  • Tinybird

    I do it while I act out daydreams in my head so yeah, it's normal

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  • W3nl47

    It is very normal!

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  • Cuntsiclestick

    Pacing around when thinking is only weird if you get in other people's way. That being said, I sometimes pace around too. XD

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  • Boojum

    What you see in movies is just a trope, but it's one based on a very long history of people pondering while they pace, and so what you do is perfectly normal. I suspect the people who believe you're weird are probably stuck in the school mindset where everyone is expected to sit motionless and silent and cogitate, but that's just a rule that exists for the convenience of teachers, not for the benefit of their pupils.

    There have been studies which found that walking does help mental processes in some unclear way.

    https://medium.com/@DevinCHughes/why-walking-helps-us-think-stanford-study-finds-walking-improves-81ecd5aa61b1

    https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/walking-helps-us-think

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  • Somenormie

    I sometimes pace.

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