I want to apologise to my neighbours. The incoherent monologue they hear every morning through my open bathroom window must be confusing, if not annoying.

But it’s the best five minutes of my morning. Sometimes fifteen.

It’s the time when I come up with the best ideas. When I formulate in my head the thoughts that help me structure my work, my day, my future.

It’s the time when I somehow find answers to the questions that might have kept me awake only a few hours earlier. And also the moment when I escape all distractions for a short while.

It’s my morning shower.

The only other time when I have a similar clarity of thinking is when I go for a very long walk. But long walks don’t seem to happen often in my case.

I don’t know why it’s easier to verbalise certain thoughts while standing under a powerful stream of hot water. But it helps immensely.

And if the only price to pay for this mind- (and body-)cleansing experience is a slightly higher gas bill and a bemused look from my neighbour, I’m happy to pay it.