Well said - this has happened to me so many times. Thankfully my wife knows the face I make when this happens and kindly waits until I'm ready again 😅 Having a mind (especially a curious or creative one) ensures that we're constantly fighting to align our physical reality with where our mind wants us to be. The hope I think is that the two start to converge as we find ourselves and whatever it is we yearn for in life.
That tug of war is something I work on every day through meditation and mindfulness. It’s been a big help, but when I skip a few days, I start to lose control.
This story was inspired by something that happened really early on in my relationship. Since then, I’ve improved, and she’s come to understand, and be patient with me, too :)
An artists life can seem very selfish when we are listening to the muse… and not our partner. 🫣❤️ but, we make art from this invisible thread. Keep writing .
Yesssss. The worst part for me is I do hear at least 50% of what’s being said so sometimes I can fake along but it’s clear my mind isn’t present and I’m responding in shallow words just to respond. I always feel bad afterwards — thanks for this 🙏
This has happened to me a bunch with my creativity. I have to remember certain things to ground me. It’s harder in certain situations than others. You’re not alone.
love your vibe. Found you from the "Get to Know Me" Note. Well done. Cool to explore the connection between creative direction at an organizational level and creative direction at a personal, artistic level. (Like the analogue between teaching writing, and actually doing it (for me) :)
Thank you, Sean. That means a lot to me. You hit the nail on the head, that's sort of what this thing is becoming. Excited to see where it goes. Lots of doors are opening.
Really appreciate you reaching out. I'll check out your stuff.
I can definitely relate to wandering away from conversations— usually the tedious ones.
Still, I can’t help but think that there is some onus on the other person to recognize whether you are listening or not, whether you are ready to receive information or not.
For example, when someone is intently using their phone, I don’t immediately launch into a conversation with them, because I know their mind is elsewhere. I have to get their attention first, call their name. Then I’ll start.
It is the same thing when someone is thinking intently, though I guess it takes some practice to notice when.
I liked the disorienting feeling of second person POV to connect to the theme of floating away and having this out of body experience. It's like your adrift in the limbo between "reality" and the fuzzy kernel of an idea that is actively creating itself.
Also, this was a cool usage of formatting for dramatic effect.
Being the “she” of this story in my own marriage, I’ve had to learn that it isn’t personal, don’t make it a burden to repeat yourself, as long as the thoughts being carried away aren’t ones that are depressive, I don’t worry.
I simply ask:
-Where’s your mind at?
-What are you reading?
-Topic? (My quick question to find out, is he thinking of politics, military vehicle history, work, home tasks, family, etc)
It helps. I’ve become more appreciative over the years of being on the outside, getting to hear what he’s so engulfed in, that he just can’t focus on the present. Sometimes I say - you need to stay present, and he knows he needs to push himself to not drift in certain situations. But letting him drift, leads to less conflict, more interesting conversations, and a happier relationship.
This is what I love about taking long rides on my motorbike. I craft so many stories in my mind along my long drive through the mountains and the palm trees. Otherwise, when I am with other people, I can find myself thinking, "Oh wow. This would be a great metaphor for a story." I make an effort when I am with people to be present but, I wonder how many words get lost in the fray in my attempts to be in the moment. I loved this piece. Thank you for sharing the way we writers float away.
Well said - this has happened to me so many times. Thankfully my wife knows the face I make when this happens and kindly waits until I'm ready again 😅 Having a mind (especially a curious or creative one) ensures that we're constantly fighting to align our physical reality with where our mind wants us to be. The hope I think is that the two start to converge as we find ourselves and whatever it is we yearn for in life.
Very well said.
That tug of war is something I work on every day through meditation and mindfulness. It’s been a big help, but when I skip a few days, I start to lose control.
This story was inspired by something that happened really early on in my relationship. Since then, I’ve improved, and she’s come to understand, and be patient with me, too :)
We’ll never be perfect.
But we can always be better.
An artists life can seem very selfish when we are listening to the muse… and not our partner. 🫣❤️ but, we make art from this invisible thread. Keep writing .
Glad I'm not alone in doing this!
We are those who can not stop thinking...
I try to listen... but those ideas are in my brain...
I'm sorry I did not hear you....
Yesssss. The worst part for me is I do hear at least 50% of what’s being said so sometimes I can fake along but it’s clear my mind isn’t present and I’m responding in shallow words just to respond. I always feel bad afterwards — thanks for this 🙏
Of course! I’m glad it resonated :)
This has happened to me a bunch with my creativity. I have to remember certain things to ground me. It’s harder in certain situations than others. You’re not alone.
I totally relate! Loved this.
love your vibe. Found you from the "Get to Know Me" Note. Well done. Cool to explore the connection between creative direction at an organizational level and creative direction at a personal, artistic level. (Like the analogue between teaching writing, and actually doing it (for me) :)
Thank you, Sean. That means a lot to me. You hit the nail on the head, that's sort of what this thing is becoming. Excited to see where it goes. Lots of doors are opening.
Really appreciate you reaching out. I'll check out your stuff.
Let's keep in touch :)
I can definitely relate to wandering away from conversations— usually the tedious ones.
Still, I can’t help but think that there is some onus on the other person to recognize whether you are listening or not, whether you are ready to receive information or not.
For example, when someone is intently using their phone, I don’t immediately launch into a conversation with them, because I know their mind is elsewhere. I have to get their attention first, call their name. Then I’ll start.
It is the same thing when someone is thinking intently, though I guess it takes some practice to notice when.
Dude I am dreaming 24/7. When my wife catches me in a daze she lets me have it. But the imagination is the funnest place!
I liked the disorienting feeling of second person POV to connect to the theme of floating away and having this out of body experience. It's like your adrift in the limbo between "reality" and the fuzzy kernel of an idea that is actively creating itself.
Also, this was a cool usage of formatting for dramatic effect.
Well said, Wes! Really appreciate that :)
My novel follows a similar style for the same reasons. Glad it's resonating.
Being the “she” of this story in my own marriage, I’ve had to learn that it isn’t personal, don’t make it a burden to repeat yourself, as long as the thoughts being carried away aren’t ones that are depressive, I don’t worry.
I simply ask:
-Where’s your mind at?
-What are you reading?
-Topic? (My quick question to find out, is he thinking of politics, military vehicle history, work, home tasks, family, etc)
It helps. I’ve become more appreciative over the years of being on the outside, getting to hear what he’s so engulfed in, that he just can’t focus on the present. Sometimes I say - you need to stay present, and he knows he needs to push himself to not drift in certain situations. But letting him drift, leads to less conflict, more interesting conversations, and a happier relationship.
This is what I love about taking long rides on my motorbike. I craft so many stories in my mind along my long drive through the mountains and the palm trees. Otherwise, when I am with other people, I can find myself thinking, "Oh wow. This would be a great metaphor for a story." I make an effort when I am with people to be present but, I wonder how many words get lost in the fray in my attempts to be in the moment. I loved this piece. Thank you for sharing the way we writers float away.