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1/21/2024
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In the last piece I started writing a little bit about the "how"
of bringing imagination back into my life, but before I get into
any more specifics about the "hows," I want to look at some
"whys." [1]
Use Case One
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For one thing, I have found that there are situations where you
are bored, but it still would be improper to be looking down at
your phone and gaming intensely. Most of the ones I have
experienced involve hospitals, funeral houses, and grave sites.
As an aside, it seems like in the hospital scenario
doom-scrolling is still allowed as it creates no sudden jerks
(turn-based games may also be considered). Also, texting seems
to be always allowed at the hospital, because the person doing
it can claim they are "updating family" or "checking in."
.. This isn't just gallows humor [2]. I have learned from the
example of my wife's family that when a loved on is at a
hospital, it is best to have someone stationed with the patient
at all times in order to make sure someone can talk to the
medical professionals as they come in as well as make sure
creature comforts are taken care of in a timely manner for the
patient. And yes, the less sever the situation, the more likely
you are to be able to play a game on your phone, but as a person
for whom shit has gone down, I want to go to give you permission
to feel boredom in the midst of a long bout of Care and
Concern... What matters is the time you put in to be available,
and how you handle certain key moments. But eyes will pry, and
these moments are just as likely to bring the worst out of
people as the best, so there is certainly a time to hide your
need to play.
Use Case Two
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I have battled insomnia for easily 15 years now, and imaginative
play is one of the best sleep interventions I have found, and it
feels very sustainable -- though I must admit the sample size is
still a bit small. It is only now in my 39th year of life that I
have gotten serious about cutting off my caffeine after 11 am--
and preferably after 9 am or so. That move has been necessary,
but not sufficient; I must watch what I think as well to avoid
my mind racing. This means no new learning that requires a lot
of synthesis -- so non-fiction which I find interesting or
meaningful is out. Likewise, I cannot think about things that
have great stakes for my life and values... But I can't just
think about boring things as my mind will rebel in pretty sort
order [3]. But imagination works pretty well as a sleeping pill.
==
[1] On second thought, I don't think I am where to go to for
"hows." Here, let me recommend a good place on gopher:
gopher://gopher.smolderingwizard.com/1/
[2] And gallows truth. George Sanders: "Humor is what happens
when we're told the truth quicker and more directly than we're
used to."
[3] I want to add another note about extreme lengths I have gone
to in order to try to sleep regularly. During summers I have
tried sitting in darkness once the sun goes down (or even a
little before, knowing how long those days get). This "darkness
therapy" can work for a while, but again the problem is boredom.
I tried a variation on this by getting a red light and trying to
solve math problems or bridge hands (I was trying to take up the
hobby).
I also used to read some poems of E.E. Cummings in bed. Many of
his poems occupy the boundary lines of making sense, at least
when read causally... Letting go of the real world and its logic
and facts seems to help get me to sleep.
==
This work is hereby in the public domain.
Do what you want with it.
