the
issue one
DETOURIST the mindless creative
april 2014
THE MINDLESS CREATIVE
in this issue THE MINDLESS CREATIVE
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info WHAT ARE MINDLESS ACTIVITIES?
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TYPES OF MINDLESS ACTIVITES
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BENEFITS OF MINDLESS ACTIVITIES
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ENGAGING IN MINDLESS ACTIVITIES
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epilogue
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the MINDLESS CREATIVE
Think about the last time you encountered a creative block — what did you do? Take a break and do something else? Whatever that could be, it’s most probably something that can be considered “mindless”.
So what exactly are mindless activities?
THE MINDLESS CREATIVE
As negative as it sounds, the typical reaction to these activities is equally unfavourable. Parents nag at their children for playing games; bosses question the need for their employees to go for longer lunch breaks. Of course, these examples sound exactly like ways to skive, but underneath the facade is possibly a tired, uninspired soul.
Despite its bad reputation for being borderline procrastination, mindless activities are critical not just in life to provide a much-needed break from a frustrating moment, it also plays an important role in overcoming and preventing the nemesis of every creative individual — creative blocks.
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WHAT ARE MINDLESS ACTIVITIES?
THE DETOURIST — ISSUE ONE
You might think zombies as soon as the word “mindless” popped up but ditch that preconception — the mindless activities here are far from walking aimlessly, looking for the next brain to eat. Find out what makes an activity mindless and don’t be surprised — what you’re doing now is one!
Requires minimal thinking
Easy to engage in
Every activity has a different requirement for deep thinking but for the mindless ones, there is little need to consider how to complete the task. Just like brushing your teeth, you don’t need to be “present” consciously!
Mindless activities are also extremely simple tasks. A normal person would have no trouble engaging in, with minimal instruction and supervision. Think washing plates and working out — you’ll never need a long time to learn.
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TYPES OF MINDLESS ACTIVITIES
Productivity Apparent
Productivity Obscured
Mindless activities such as organising desks, doing laundry or washing dishing are pretty obviously productive, though outwardly, they may contribute nothing towards completing a project.
The productivity-obscured are more enjoyable, decided according to your preferences. Having tea, watching an action flick — you’re trying to make yourself feel better, but others dismiss it as unnecessary procrastination.
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Household chores or indispensable work Camouflages creative blocks
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Doesn’t matter if completed Provides inspiration and/or distracts from work
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BENEFITS OF MINDLESS ACTIVITIES
Source of inspiration
THE DETOURIST — ISSUE ONE
While completing a mindless activity, you might get inspired by what you see, hear or even feel emotionally. These inspiration may aid your current project or even start the next!
Incubates ideas Mindless activities serve as a distraction to the conscious process of ideation and helps incubation, which occurs unconsciously.
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Increases productivity Engaging in mindless activties helps to check off items on a to-do list, especially when engaging in productivity-apparent ones which must be done.
Ease the brain from overloading
Reduces stress
An overload of information causes creativity to be reduced dramatically and prevents us from making meaningly associations.
We all know how we can’t think straight when we’re too stressed. Mindless activities soothes the tension and calms us down.
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ENGAGING IN MINDLESS ACTIVITIES Given the choice, one would rather engage in productivity-obscured activities due to their relaxing effect. However, there is a high probability that these activities may be “misused” and will simply become unproductive.
THE DETOURIST — ISSUE ONE
In order to reap the full benefits of mindless activities, here are a few simple guidelines. Keep them in mind the next time you encounter a creative block and they’llbe gone in no time.
Change the task, if not the method.
Observe and experience.
Doing the same old activity in the same old way will do nothing to inspire you. You might always take the same bus or drink the same tea, why not try something different?
As you are engaging in an mindless activity, be conscious of what you’re doing. Observe and notice the various elements making up your experience. The key to getting inspired is to notice the details!
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Enjoy them!
Do your research.
Even when you’re completing a productivityapparent activity you’ld rather not do, know that you’re clearing another item on your to-do list and feel better!
If you don’t know the facts, any ideas incubated from engaging in mindless activities might lose their relevance and be unsuitable for your project. Understand your brief, then do something mindless!
Never over-indulge! You might think mindless activity is a cure-all for creative blocks, but it isn’t! Nothing can be achieved if you don’t actually work on the project you’re stuck with.
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epilogue Mindless activities have many benefits, but only with extra care can they be induced and magnified. We’re all already engaging in these activities — all we need to do is do reflect on whether they help us, in clearing to-do lists, inspiring us or simply give us a proper break.
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Remember: mindless activities done right is encouraged; procrastination is not!
editted, designed, illustrated by paper
Chua Wan Lin Naturalis Recycled in Smooth White
the
detourist
issue one april 2014
Published for the project www.itsadetour.com