Re:Ask HN: Frameworks for thinking through your thoughts and...
by muzani on Tuesday September 21, 2021 @01:28PM
(#28607385)
The subconscious brain is optimized to handle a firehose of information. The conscious brain is terrible at it.
Activate the subconscious brain instead. Take a nap, or better yet, full sleep. Or take a walk, or a shower.
Learn to observe thoughts without acting on them. You're angry at someone. Great. Don't just that anger. Just feel it but don't let it occupy your thoughts. Or maybe you're excited. Or you have 18 things you need to complete by noon. Your attention is like a flashlight, just shine it over each item, and the subconscious brain processes them.
The subconscious doesn't always do a great job, but it's best at it. There are times when you need to do something with that info -- that's when you call upon the subconscious. But when you're overwhelmed, my best strategy is to step away and let it "cool down".
Activate the subconscious brain instead. Take a nap, or better yet, full sleep. Or take a walk, or a shower.
Learn to observe thoughts without acting on them. You're angry at someone. Great. Don't just that anger. Just feel it but don't let it occupy your thoughts. Or maybe you're excited. Or you have 18 things you need to complete by noon. Your attention is like a flashlight, just shine it over each item, and the subconscious brain processes them.
The subconscious doesn't always do a great job, but it's best at it. There are times when you need to do something with that info -- that's when you call upon the subconscious. But when you're overwhelmed, my best strategy is to step away and let it "cool down".