A lot of responses often focus on solitude for creativity vs. distraction and interruptions. Something that I don't see mentioned often is the need for distrac

A lot of responses often focus on solitude for creativity vs. distraction and interruptions. Something that I don't see mentioned often is the need for distraction. I'm pretty good at tuning out distractions when I'm focused, sometimes too good (you may need to wave your hand between me and the monitor to get my attention). Unfortunately, sometimes I overfocus and get mental tunnel vision / can't see the forest for the trees. I need to step away from the screen, pace around, maybe grab a clipboard and sketch a diagram, or clear my mind some other way. In my own office, I can do that and the computer's right there when the mental switch flips, the gate opens, and the ideas start to flow again. In an open office, I have to leave the building and may be 10 minutes away from my desk (and subject to several interruptions on the way back). And of course, you always have the feeling of being watched and judged whenever you step away or do something at your desk that doesn't appear to be diligently working. So open offices (or cubicles) can be worse even when you do need distraction.