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Ask HN: How do you get into the right headspace to think deeply?

by lifeplusplus on 12/27/22, 11:16 PM with 7 comments

it's like I need to hit some sort of trifecta to be able to do it these days: slept really well, no ongoing issue, nothing sad happened recently, something insightful was noticed, free time....etc.

I remember around age 10-16 this was my default state, I could think about things so deeply anytime anywhere, to point I'd be looking at someone not even know.. or just looking at clouds and get lost deep into thoughts and have epiphany half an hour later....

I admit age wasn't the only thing different between then and now, I hadn't discovered reddit, didn't use youtube much, only played video games around 8pm for 2 hours, had very consistent schedule, had far fewer responsibilities, and things always looked up and up in sense there was lot of hope and potential, future seemed brighter. I guess reflecting back I can see my mind was much more free of distractions. (social media, news, entertainment, etc) :/

  • by ryan on 12/27/22, 11:21 PM

    My protocol is: 1) clear your mind 2) prime your mind 3) flow your truth

    1. Clear your mind

    Spend 30 minutes meditating, preferably first thing when you wake up.

    Pick something that works for you. A simple practice: • Allow whatever happens to happen • When you notice you are trying to control your attention, drop that intention

    2. Prime your mind

    Spend 30min reading or listening to high-quality content. I like listening to great spiritual teachers and philosophers. In any case, pick something that your interest is drawn to. Make it BIG and not empty calories.

    3. Flow your truth

    30-60min of writing. Let it flow.

    Bonus points for publishing your writing - it will add sharpness and clarity to your thinking.

    Also consider walking. I find I get many of my epiphanies lately when I'm walking the dogs in the evening. I take type notes or voice notes on my phone.

  • by guina on 12/28/22, 4:48 PM

    I can’t really force deep thinking for myself. Instead it comes spur of the moment when I’m away from my work. A solution to a problem or a compelling idea will pop into my head, and when that happens is when I’m in the headspace to think deeply.

    This is a little different from Flow states I get into when I’m _already_ working. Usually in my work Flow states I’ve already had my spur-of-the-moment-deep-thought and now I’m just implementing in a Deep Work state.

  • by birdymcbird on 12/27/22, 11:39 PM

    I often have moments of insights with really solid ideas. One thing that’s worked for me is to note things down, and handwriting notes instead of typing seems to work better.

    as I’ve gotten older and had more adult responsibilities family work finances .. million things to keep track of, getting into zone and fully tuned is harder. don’t beat yourself up

  • by WheelsAtLarge on 12/27/22, 11:22 PM

    Long daily walks with a recorder for notes.

  • by yuppie_scum on 12/27/22, 11:59 PM

    Put on Do Not Disturb and listen to some music.