u/ByteSizedDecisions

I’ve been noticing something small but uncomfortable.

Whenever I use AI tools or agents that work in the background, I struggle to just wait.

The moment it starts researching, writing, or completing something, I feel an urge to switch to another tab, check messages, start another task, or distract myself in some way.

It made me realize that I rarely experience waiting as waiting anymore. I treat every pause as something that needs to be filled.

Earlier, when I had to search, read, think, and write myself, I was more actively present with the task. Now, when part of that process happens in the background, my mind seems to label the gap as “empty time.”

I’m trying to use those moments as a mindfulness cue now.

Instead of switching immediately, I pause, notice the urge, take one breath, and let the waiting be part of the task.

Has anyone else noticed this kind of restlessness around waiting? How do you practice staying present during small gaps in the day?