Can I Shut it Off?
Well, the great experiment of my life is can I ever shut my brain off? I spend a lot of time every day in prayer, and that is as close as I get to sort of slowing down my brain, but in general, it's always going a million miles an hour. Sometimes this is not what I want my brain to be doing. It's too worrisome, too intense, too exhausting. So . . . this past week was vacation.
My usual vacation is a working one. Laptop on, I will spend the day at Disneyworld or the pool or whatever, but race to check my wired life at night. I check in with my agent, my editor, whatever.
THIS vacation, I bagged the laptop. I told my agent not to call unless it was an emergency (and indeed, there was one). I didn't answer my phone, and I didn't check voicemail. I didn't blog.
By Day Four, my brain had slowed a bit. I had to seek that quiet space. I really did. I had to TELL myself to shut the hell up.
Of course, when a mini-crisis came up, then I was back in the game. But after twelve hours of worry and aggravation, I again reminded myself . . . just get in a relaxed space. BE in the MOMENT with the CHILDREN who rather like you to have FUN with them.
On the way home, I of course thought up a brand-new line for the opening of my new novel. I pondered how to repair the novel-in-crisis. But for a week, a blissful, wonderful week . . . I just was all about sand, what was for lunch, what I was going to drink at sunset, and taking showers outdoors (highly wonderful!). And that was a good thing. So I am back, feeling far less frazzled and far less intense. I don't know how long it will last. But for now . . .
Anyone else who copes with a brain that fires on all cylinders 24/7? Is it a NYC thing--lived most of my life up that way. Is it a writer thing? Or is it simply an insane thing? :-)
My usual vacation is a working one. Laptop on, I will spend the day at Disneyworld or the pool or whatever, but race to check my wired life at night. I check in with my agent, my editor, whatever.
THIS vacation, I bagged the laptop. I told my agent not to call unless it was an emergency (and indeed, there was one). I didn't answer my phone, and I didn't check voicemail. I didn't blog.
By Day Four, my brain had slowed a bit. I had to seek that quiet space. I really did. I had to TELL myself to shut the hell up.
Of course, when a mini-crisis came up, then I was back in the game. But after twelve hours of worry and aggravation, I again reminded myself . . . just get in a relaxed space. BE in the MOMENT with the CHILDREN who rather like you to have FUN with them.
On the way home, I of course thought up a brand-new line for the opening of my new novel. I pondered how to repair the novel-in-crisis. But for a week, a blissful, wonderful week . . . I just was all about sand, what was for lunch, what I was going to drink at sunset, and taking showers outdoors (highly wonderful!). And that was a good thing. So I am back, feeling far less frazzled and far less intense. I don't know how long it will last. But for now . . .
Anyone else who copes with a brain that fires on all cylinders 24/7? Is it a NYC thing--lived most of my life up that way. Is it a writer thing? Or is it simply an insane thing? :-)
posted by Erica Orloff at 3:15 PM
13 Comments:
My mind is alway firing. The biggest problem I have is the ear worm. I get a tune going and can't shut it off. Well, I can if I replace it with another. I'll write or do a physical task, but when I slow down, the tune returns. I wonder what it is?
Welcome back Erica!
Your mind is hyperactive because you're a writer. It's what we do. When we're not writing, we're thinking. We are the preoccupied daydreamers of the world.
It is probably healthy to shut it off occasionally, though. I've been a drummer most of my life. I can go into a trance while playing (solo), and after a while it's just me and the rhythm and a window to the spiritual world. It's a form of meditation, a way to clear the mind while sweating the body. Very satisfying.
Everybody's not a drummer, of course, but I think just about everyone has some sort of activity that could serve in a similar way.
Steve:
Oh, those tunes! Seriously . . . I honest to God read that the "cure" is "finishing it." A shrink was interviewed about people who sometimes find their mind drifting at work and he said that tunes get locked into a repetitive cycle and if you allow the brain to finish it--sing it all the way through--it will get off the cycle. I have no idea if that works or not . . . but there you go. :-)
E
Jude:
You are always my voice of truth here. I adore the idea that "We are the preoccupied daydreamers of the world." Brilliant and true. I have been a daydreamer as long as I can remember, and will STILL have these ludicrous daydreams and thoughts all day long--and as I go to sleep at night. Very often, at night, I "anticipate" my dreams because I fall asleep daydreaming of something I want to dream about. It is who I am, but yes, turning it off sometimes seems like a much-needed rest. I recently took up needlework again and was shocked at how calming it is for me. I just get very involved in it and it's this other area of my brain--same with the NY Times crossword puzzle. It's not that I'm not thinking when I do the puzzle, just that it uses other synapses.
E
Erica, thanks. Next time I'm stuck with a tune that I know the ending, I'll try it.
My brain's like that.
The downside is that it takes me ages to fall asleep, especially after a good bout of writing.
I've no idea how to turn it off, and to be honest, I'm so used to it, I think I'd miss it if I succeeded.
Milady:
Me, too. I like the endless ideas, but a vacation now and then--a REAL one--is nice, too!
E
I'm the sameway. I've always had a mind that constantly is thinking. It's worse now. I'm glad you had a good vacation.
I have such issues with constant on-brain, that it's a recurring item in my books.
But I think it's a woman thing. Wanda Sykes did a hilarious bit about it in one of her stand-up shows for HBO (I think).
Well, it's not a NY thing as I've never been there, lol.
Is it a writer thing? Not sure because I haven't always been a writer but my mind has always worked overtime.
I never sleep through the night, never sleep 8 hours (usually 6 with interuptions) - so someone tell me why I have a daughter who likes 12 hours a night???
Wtg on managing to slow down. The thought of doing nothing scares me senseless!
natalie:
Is that why a woman will ask a man, "What are you thinking?" and he can sincerely say "nothing." And a man can ask a woman and discover she is contemplating quantum physics or working on organzing her book or what have you? LOL!
E
Sara:
Thanks for your comment and sharing it scares you to slow down. For me, it's this weird kind of guilt. You'd think I was a Calvinist. When I was young, if I felt ill and my mother told me to stay home from school, and then later in the day I felt better, I was overcome with guilt for not being in school (though I was a straight A student and one day would not matter). It's like this deep-seated thing . . . my father was a brilliant workaholic, and a believer in the American Dream (he is Russian). I think that's part of it.
E
Erica, I so understand the guilt thing. I CANNOT sit down and watch TV/DVD or read a book during the day. It's just not allowed.... not sure by whom!!! If I do any of the above it has to be gone 7pm (6 at a push)
Post a Comment
<< Home