For all those with hyperactive minds...
Often the world moves way too fast for you to sit and just think. And even if occasion does call for it or if you do make time for it, it is often that the thoughts that your mind drifts towards are much more exciting and fulfilling than what you intended to 'think' about.
I'm sure we've all experienced that. We open a book intending to study and over a course of time, find ourselves having not studied a thing but have accomplished something else. Our mind wanders, but not necessarily aimlessly.
I sit in class prepared to learn, but my mind, unwilling to be leashed, escapes the walls of the ALR. At the end of the class, having paid little or no attention to the working of air conditioners, or the welding of plates, or the characteristics of brutal architecture, or whatever, I have instead planned my weekend schedule, come up with new fonts for my building construction sheet, made a list of study tour destinations and have discussed alternate career options (for just in case). It is totally besides the point of sitting in class, but not exactly a complete waste of my time.
This semester has taught me that architecture is only fulfilling if it becomes one of those places of refuge for my mind. It cannot be understood by force. I've have tried, in vain to sit and force myself to think. It just doesn't happen. And the result of forced work brings satisfaction only because it’s done. I'm speaking for myself here, because if you can make your mind think when you want it too, you are unlike me and I envy you greatly.
For me, coming up with a concept for design is like asking me for the lyrics of a song. It’s there somewhere inside my head, refusing to budge from that corner out of reach. But it most definitely will, when I least expect it to, on the bus, in the shower or in estimation class and suddenly I'll find myself singing the whole song, beginning to end.
It’s not an excuse. No one else will understand. It’s a disability that I've learned to deal with. I'm learning to make design my destination of wandering thought. It’s not that hard, once you put your mind to it. But that is just not possible consciously. Subconsciously, you tend to think of things that are of some interest or importance to you. Make design that subconscious thought. I don’t know of any way to do that. But I do know that when it does happen, it comes with a multiplied force. Suddenly, out of the blue, I have a concept that I absolutely love, a design that appeals to me and that immense feeling of satisfaction that I can move forward and achieve, especially because I've been able to move away from almost giving up.
What I can say to you, who understands what I've talked about. Free your mind. Let it wander. Let it uncover those ideas which you know are hiding somewhere in your mind. Don’t lose that creative spark that you have by holding too tightly to your minds reins. Be a daydreamer. Be a mind traveller. Just map out your route.
Often the world moves way too fast for you to sit and just think. And even if occasion does call for it or if you do make time for it, it is often that the thoughts that your mind drifts towards are much more exciting and fulfilling than what you intended to 'think' about.
I'm sure we've all experienced that. We open a book intending to study and over a course of time, find ourselves having not studied a thing but have accomplished something else. Our mind wanders, but not necessarily aimlessly.
I sit in class prepared to learn, but my mind, unwilling to be leashed, escapes the walls of the ALR. At the end of the class, having paid little or no attention to the working of air conditioners, or the welding of plates, or the characteristics of brutal architecture, or whatever, I have instead planned my weekend schedule, come up with new fonts for my building construction sheet, made a list of study tour destinations and have discussed alternate career options (for just in case). It is totally besides the point of sitting in class, but not exactly a complete waste of my time.
This semester has taught me that architecture is only fulfilling if it becomes one of those places of refuge for my mind. It cannot be understood by force. I've have tried, in vain to sit and force myself to think. It just doesn't happen. And the result of forced work brings satisfaction only because it’s done. I'm speaking for myself here, because if you can make your mind think when you want it too, you are unlike me and I envy you greatly.
For me, coming up with a concept for design is like asking me for the lyrics of a song. It’s there somewhere inside my head, refusing to budge from that corner out of reach. But it most definitely will, when I least expect it to, on the bus, in the shower or in estimation class and suddenly I'll find myself singing the whole song, beginning to end.
It’s not an excuse. No one else will understand. It’s a disability that I've learned to deal with. I'm learning to make design my destination of wandering thought. It’s not that hard, once you put your mind to it. But that is just not possible consciously. Subconsciously, you tend to think of things that are of some interest or importance to you. Make design that subconscious thought. I don’t know of any way to do that. But I do know that when it does happen, it comes with a multiplied force. Suddenly, out of the blue, I have a concept that I absolutely love, a design that appeals to me and that immense feeling of satisfaction that I can move forward and achieve, especially because I've been able to move away from almost giving up.
What I can say to you, who understands what I've talked about. Free your mind. Let it wander. Let it uncover those ideas which you know are hiding somewhere in your mind. Don’t lose that creative spark that you have by holding too tightly to your minds reins. Be a daydreamer. Be a mind traveller. Just map out your route.
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