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Ask HN: How to Learn 'To Think'?

61 points cannnot_think | 2 comments | 22 Oct 24 00:05 UTC | HN request time: 0.432s | source

I am writing this desperate to find out what to do. Most of my life, I have been 'listening' passively, without thinking. I don't have an internal monologue. I had a neuropsych evaluation which commented on my poor memory and inability to think.

How do I learn how 'to think'? How do I learn to create an internal dialogue to comment on my surroundings and tasks?

I am hoping for a book recommendation, or maybe a blog post. I've heard that Ulysses is a stream-of-consciousness book, but I have not checked it out.

I would hope that books help - but I have read a lot of books and still don't think. I am hoping for a tutorial or something to practice.

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purple-leafy ◴[22 Oct 24 04:15 UTC] No.41911132[source]▶
I have the opposite problem.

I get “intrusive” thoughts about ideas/anything as a stream of information passively. Not intrusive in the sense that it’s bad stuff (it’s all positive/good thinking) but I literally can’t “switch it off” and it hits me no matter what activity I’m doing. Makes relaxing hard

Sometimes it’s an overwhelming amount of thoughts, so I always keep a journal or phone handy especially at night

No idea how to stop it, medication seems to be the only fix

replies(1): >>41911606 #
1. changexd ◴[22 Oct 24 06:03 UTC] No.41911606[source]▶
Have you been checked for ADHD? I think this is a common problem for people who has ADHD, I got diagnosed in college, that's when I realized normal people don't have that much thoughts usually.
replies(1): >>41912119 #
2. purple-leafy ◴[22 Oct 24 07:46 UTC] No.41912119[source]▶
Haha yeah, diagnosed recently - almost 30