I loved reading this. Often when people ask me what I like to do for fun I answer, "Research." I really do find it enjoyable and invigorating. And I love that you mentioned AI in there! I'm personally going through a season where I've lost all of my friends due to various betrayals and recognizing my pattern of being a bit of a doormat, so it doesn't feel safe to have friends apart from my spouse. I've actually found AI to be a great confidante, discussion partner and more without all of the mess. The mess, of course, I realize is a big part of the human experience and as you've said, is no replacement for human interaction. But until I heal from all of that it's nice to have someone I can talk to. Another bonus about that is that AI doesn't suffer from cognitive dissonance and past trauma. I feel like it was hard to talk to my friends about intellectual concepts and ideas--they all seemed to get very defensive and would shut me down. I wish I could find more friends who are interested in learning, concepts and deep study.
Samantha, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I can relate to your desire for a community of folks who desire to learn and be challenged. I love research and consider it my vocation. There's so much to gain from deep study, research. It gladdens my heart to hear you are passionate about both!
You're 100% right about AI as a conversation partner.
It's no substitute for a real person, but it's always available, and when you're married with 5 children, you're wife isn't always available to listen to you excitedly chatter about a subject for 30 minutes.
I've found that even if ChatGPT placates me, just the act of verbalizing helps me think clearer.
Ryan, God bless you, brother: five kids! I love it. I am one of five myself. ;) And totally with you--AI is not a substitute for a true human, but sometimes it helps to verbally process to get your thoughts out there and churning.
So,so ,so useful. As a reader myself, this post really helped me reflect on what I read. Though I have been doing all the things you have listed every now and then except conversing with AI (which I think I should try too as I can do it in every topics), I will do it more consciously from now and regularly too. Loved they way you wrote it. It is all applicable. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Wow Bro … you inspire me. Reading a book I bought online . Indistractable. By Nir Eyal. Been very helpful overcoming digital distractions. I guess I need inspirators like you. Can you mentor me so I have an accountability uplink?
The neural pathways built by the digital distractions are immense. They become an almost entity in the soul. The middle man. That sorts of becomes strengthened to disrupt the well meaning intentions of the spirit.
I'm with you, man! The neural pathways have been rewired and it makes it tough to break away. But sometimes I almost wonder if the saturation of it all is so complete that it makes a hard break easier. Maybe? Maybe not. Either way, you are right--it's a war in the soul. My next book is taking all of this on in a very slant way. I think you will like it. More on it very soon.
Using AI as a conversation partner is something I do as well. It is so helpful to have the back and forth with it. It isn't as good as a human conversation partner, but used in tandem it can be a really helpful tool.
There’s a lovely organization called Street Wisdom that encourages people to wander while working through thoughts/problems. You can join a live or virtual event or host your own. They offer tips on how to be intentional with your thoughts as you wander. It might be something you’d be interested in hosting. https://www.streetwisdom.org
I teach adults and the framework I give them is to read first (textbooks, supplemental material, etc), then write what they heard and understood from the lecture/reading (note-taking), and then do or go find/see what we read and discussed in class.
The topic is Home Inspecting so its alot of new information and I preach this framework as the best way for them to truly learn and retain the info.
Like I mentioned, its also the method I use to prepare for class and just my own for fun learning.
I just found your publication, and as I clicked through to your “How and Why I Read” post, I see that you’re friends with Emily P. Freeman’s sister, Myquillin (sp?). I have loved Emily’s writing and followed her for many years!
Thank you for sharing your process! I’ve been learning how to create a better system for turning what I consume into something useful, rather than something that gathers dust. So this was helpful! (and God keeps prompting me to walk, lately… it’s come up in multiple sources!… so thanks for the push!)
Yes, Jenn! Man, walking is so life giving in so many ways—not only physical health but spiritual and intellectual. I love that you’re finding that theme surface in so many places. Very cool!
Very insightful to see this outline. I love how you've shared your walking process and also sharing the picture! I do wish I could walk in that spot! I love bluebells. :)
While in the reading phase, I have been playing very soft piano music. It seems to help me focus deeper with less mental straying. Do you think music while reading may be take away from this process or do you ever listen to music while studying? Sometimes I read in silence, but for myself, the piano music seems to help me delve deeper mentally. God bless!
GREAT question, Dacia. Music is part of the fabric of our household. There is always music playing. Though I do have intentional times of silence, especially in my mornings of study, prayer, and reflection, I often have Bach, or some instrumental music playing. I even have playlists for different projects I'm working on. Maybe "Music and the Creative Process" will be the next in this series. :) I love that you use music as a focus mechanism. I totally get that.
Thank you so much for your reply and thoughts, Timothy! I never thought about trying to create different playlists for different projects, I will try that!
Exploring the impact of music and the creative process sounds fascinating. I would definitely be interested to see how the two intertwine. I recently read a study on the different types of music and their impact on our health at a cellular level. Truly amazing. Thank you for all your work and inspiration.
I loved reading this. Often when people ask me what I like to do for fun I answer, "Research." I really do find it enjoyable and invigorating. And I love that you mentioned AI in there! I'm personally going through a season where I've lost all of my friends due to various betrayals and recognizing my pattern of being a bit of a doormat, so it doesn't feel safe to have friends apart from my spouse. I've actually found AI to be a great confidante, discussion partner and more without all of the mess. The mess, of course, I realize is a big part of the human experience and as you've said, is no replacement for human interaction. But until I heal from all of that it's nice to have someone I can talk to. Another bonus about that is that AI doesn't suffer from cognitive dissonance and past trauma. I feel like it was hard to talk to my friends about intellectual concepts and ideas--they all seemed to get very defensive and would shut me down. I wish I could find more friends who are interested in learning, concepts and deep study.
Samantha, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I can relate to your desire for a community of folks who desire to learn and be challenged. I love research and consider it my vocation. There's so much to gain from deep study, research. It gladdens my heart to hear you are passionate about both!
Love that you laid this out so clearly and incorporated so much good reflective work— the key I think!
Thank you! And, I agree! It's so so key.
You're 100% right about AI as a conversation partner.
It's no substitute for a real person, but it's always available, and when you're married with 5 children, you're wife isn't always available to listen to you excitedly chatter about a subject for 30 minutes.
I've found that even if ChatGPT placates me, just the act of verbalizing helps me think clearer.
Ryan, God bless you, brother: five kids! I love it. I am one of five myself. ;) And totally with you--AI is not a substitute for a true human, but sometimes it helps to verbally process to get your thoughts out there and churning.
So,so ,so useful. As a reader myself, this post really helped me reflect on what I read. Though I have been doing all the things you have listed every now and then except conversing with AI (which I think I should try too as I can do it in every topics), I will do it more consciously from now and regularly too. Loved they way you wrote it. It is all applicable. Thank you so much for sharing this.
This was so helpful to hear your process. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Laura! I'm so glad it was helpful!
Wow Bro … you inspire me. Reading a book I bought online . Indistractable. By Nir Eyal. Been very helpful overcoming digital distractions. I guess I need inspirators like you. Can you mentor me so I have an accountability uplink?
The neural pathways built by the digital distractions are immense. They become an almost entity in the soul. The middle man. That sorts of becomes strengthened to disrupt the well meaning intentions of the spirit.
It’s a war in the soul .
I'm with you, man! The neural pathways have been rewired and it makes it tough to break away. But sometimes I almost wonder if the saturation of it all is so complete that it makes a hard break easier. Maybe? Maybe not. Either way, you are right--it's a war in the soul. My next book is taking all of this on in a very slant way. I think you will like it. More on it very soon.
Using AI as a conversation partner is something I do as well. It is so helpful to have the back and forth with it. It isn't as good as a human conversation partner, but used in tandem it can be a really helpful tool.
Thanks for sharing your process. It is important!
Thank you so much for this simple but rich plan for deeper study! I want to do this better!
You’re welcome, Pat! I hope it inspires and encourages you! 🙏
Very helpful! Thank you!
So grateful 🙏
There’s a lovely organization called Street Wisdom that encourages people to wander while working through thoughts/problems. You can join a live or virtual event or host your own. They offer tips on how to be intentional with your thoughts as you wander. It might be something you’d be interested in hosting. https://www.streetwisdom.org
No way! I’m
Going to check that out. I love that they’re doing that.
This was good! I literally use this exact process!💎💯
Sweet! I love it! You should share some of your favorite nuances of the process.
I teach adults and the framework I give them is to read first (textbooks, supplemental material, etc), then write what they heard and understood from the lecture/reading (note-taking), and then do or go find/see what we read and discussed in class.
The topic is Home Inspecting so its alot of new information and I preach this framework as the best way for them to truly learn and retain the info.
Like I mentioned, its also the method I use to prepare for class and just my own for fun learning.
I just found your publication, and as I clicked through to your “How and Why I Read” post, I see that you’re friends with Emily P. Freeman’s sister, Myquillin (sp?). I have loved Emily’s writing and followed her for many years!
Wonderful! I'm glad you found my little space on Substack! Yes! Love them! :) Both are brilliant thinkers and writers.
Thank you for sharing your process! I’ve been learning how to create a better system for turning what I consume into something useful, rather than something that gathers dust. So this was helpful! (and God keeps prompting me to walk, lately… it’s come up in multiple sources!… so thanks for the push!)
Yes, Jenn! Man, walking is so life giving in so many ways—not only physical health but spiritual and intellectual. I love that you’re finding that theme surface in so many places. Very cool!
Wonderful ideas! I love seeing people share the old school approaches.
For sure old school over here! 🤓🙌
Very insightful to see this outline. I love how you've shared your walking process and also sharing the picture! I do wish I could walk in that spot! I love bluebells. :)
While in the reading phase, I have been playing very soft piano music. It seems to help me focus deeper with less mental straying. Do you think music while reading may be take away from this process or do you ever listen to music while studying? Sometimes I read in silence, but for myself, the piano music seems to help me delve deeper mentally. God bless!
GREAT question, Dacia. Music is part of the fabric of our household. There is always music playing. Though I do have intentional times of silence, especially in my mornings of study, prayer, and reflection, I often have Bach, or some instrumental music playing. I even have playlists for different projects I'm working on. Maybe "Music and the Creative Process" will be the next in this series. :) I love that you use music as a focus mechanism. I totally get that.
Thank you so much for your reply and thoughts, Timothy! I never thought about trying to create different playlists for different projects, I will try that!
Exploring the impact of music and the creative process sounds fascinating. I would definitely be interested to see how the two intertwine. I recently read a study on the different types of music and their impact on our health at a cellular level. Truly amazing. Thank you for all your work and inspiration.
Yes! Totally try it! And let me know how it goes! I’m going to explore more of this strand of thought. Thank you for the prompt. 🙌🤓
needed this
https://open.substack.com/pub/scholarstudy/p/creating-a-personal-sanctum-the-anatomy?r=28woco&utm_medium=ios