202109091124 Anti-flow state

Related to 202109091123 Flow state, this is the mental state characterized by 202109091125 Free association of thought and the planting and harvesting actions of 202109090947 Idea gardening. Whereas in flow state we're intensely focused on the idea we're working on, the anti-flow state requires being absorbed in something other than that idea so the idea can have room to evolve in our subconscious mind.

Anti-flow is essentially an act of discovery. We discover connections that we could not have consciously thought of.¹

Anti-Flow, by definition, is about discovering hidden potential in the strange mental crevices of your mind.¹

Anti-flow is the weaponized inspiration generation. Anything can show up during deep sessions of Anti-Flow from the mundane to the magical.¹

Encouraging an anti-flow state of mind can be done through deliberately, systemically enabling serendipity. There are many ways to encourage the free association of thoughts:

• Exercise.
• Performing mindless tasks like mowing the lawn.
• Performing rituals or meditation to relax and allow our mind to wander.
• The concentrated use of a Zettelkasten workflow (202107272242 The Art of using a Zettelkasten, 202109091131 Notes should surprise us, 202109091133 Notes should associate organically).