Conversation

Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
I've noticed that consciousness recedes when I'm deep in a coding phase, many back-to-back days in flow. My mind narrows to tunnel-vision, fixated on the software and its issues. My sense of self shrinks; non-code ideas cease to arise; I get less curious; writing yields little.
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
It's an odd feeling: flow is experientially satisfying, but the creeping self-abnegation is worrying. I also notice it takes quite a while to "reset" from this phase, to start hearing myself think again, to feel like less of an automaton.
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
I don't experience this feeling when I spend many days back-to-back in flow doing other work: developing an idea, writing, designing. I wonder if it's bc those activities are more creative, involve more reflective thought. Or maybe it's that I'm worse at them—so flow's less deep!
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
Also, I haven't noticed this much until last year. Hypotheses: a) didn't happen before b/c I rarely stayed in flow for days at a time working on a team; b) I only notice it now b/c I've become more self aware; c) I only notice it now b/c I value insight more and execution less?
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
One alternative ofc is to not get so deep into flow when building stuff. I've tried that (accidentally and intentionally); it does avoid the self-abnegation issue. But then I get frustrated because projects take non-linearly longer to finish, and it feels like they drag on. 🤷‍♂️
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droqen
@droqen
Not sure if you feel the same way as I do, but I adore moving in and out of this state: going into deep flow lets me do things I couldn't do otherwise, and once I escape deep flow, I appreciate my broader, more human perspective returning. Both states are valid and useful!
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droqen
@droqen
It's the best feeling in the world to me to exit a frustrated-but-flowy state and recognize larger issues I'd been ignoring or unaware of. But if I avoid going into the flow state because of an appreciation for this, I never get to feel this beautiful, sharp shift in perspective.
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