Contemplation

I certainly don't do it when conversing face to face. Caroline

Since contributing to this thread, I have been, to a certain extent, monitoring myself and I have been surprised just how much I do close my eyes when concentrating on anything that does not actively require me to use the sense of sight.

Like marionk I realised I closed my eyes during my pilates class, once I had checked by looking at the instructor or other class members that I was doing each exercise correctly.

However I do not do it when with other people, in the way Saak and Caroline have described.

Very unsettling when you see someone doing this,as I know someone that does! I feel they are trying to 'zone out' from the conversation, the very opposite of concentrating! I also find it very rude tbh.

No, I don't close my eyes unless asleep. Someone I know does that and also find it weird and disconcerting, I have to "knock" her to make sure she's still alive

Not weird, I do a lot of my Pilates class with my eyes closed (not the balancing bits,of course?)

I've always closed my eyes when cleaning my teeth.

Monica - you aren't weird....... I would think you have found a unique way of just putting yourself into your own comfort zone and cutting out minor distractions, which is probably considered a mild state of meditation. If it makes you feel comfortable then you've probably found an inner support system that "centres" you - I would look upon it as a comforting gift, and certainly not at all weird!

Ninathenana, my husband does that too. he does it also when I'm talking to him about something serious and I sometimes think it's because he doesn't want to hear what I'm saying, or is bored with the subject, but actually like you, if he's deeply concentrating on anything he closes his eyes.

I also close my eyes nina - something else we have in common!!

I close my eyes lots. Especially while watching University Challenge. I can answer some of the questions then. Many other quiz shows are watched with eyes shut. It certainly stops the distractions

I stick my tongue out of the corner of my mouth when I concentrate, although I've tried to stop. I had no idea until I took my wedding pics in to work to show colleagues and when they saw the one of me signing the register they said "Oh look,she's got her face on!" My dad did exactly the same thing too so I recognised the look. We all have our little idiosyncrasies I guess.

I sometimes listen to beautiful music with my eyes closed eg at concerts. But I do risknodding off unfortunately!

Ha, sorry about that. I am new to this and forgot the brackets..

I stick my tongue out. I think closing your eyes is much nicer.grin

I'm with you Nina and M0nica, I close my eyes as it tunes out distractions. Definitely when I'm on the phone or thinking, and I do a lot of my yoga practice with my eyes closed so I can concentrate on what my body is doing. We're not the weird ones ?

Oh, I thought everybody closed their eyes like this?!

Horray for us weirdos MOnica that's exactly what I meant.
If I do it when talking on the phone, I can picture them in the same room as me rather than miles away.

ninathenana I am another 'weirdo'.I often close my eyes when doing almost anything that does not require sight. Not just thinking and planning, if I am walking round the house in the dark (can't be bothered to turn lights on in a room I am only walking through) I also shut my eyes. It reduces distractions so that I can concentrate and also enables me to see things in my mind's eye.

I just stare into space. DH knows not to disturb me!

I find it easier to concentrate deeply with my eyes closed! So can I join your club? ?

I often do it on the phone, oh well, weirdness confirmed .

sorry ninathenana definitely weird - but in the nicest possible way

Ah well, it's confirmed then. I'm sure D would agree with you

It is not something I do!
I go walking with somebody who stands still when she is thinking! We make slow progress. It is just as annoying as a hairdresser who stops work with comb in the air to hold a conversation.