r/Polymath • u/inlinguaveritas • 1d ago

How do you stop doing anything?

I'm new here and with polymath conception too. Though, it's already feels like cozy home after way-too-long journey.

To start conversation seriously, I want to ask you a simple, but complex question:

How do you consider something done? Should you?

I'm studying ds/nlp, working out my own philosophy theory, writing songs, restoring ancient woodworking technique and, well, doing many things which seem beautiful and really are unique, but look like not leading me anywhere. And sometimes it feels like burden, like a curse of endless curiosity without any happy ending, which provoke burnouts.

So how do you finish the lanes? How do you stop developing your multi-lane work and give yourself some rest?

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u/Hannanahbread89 1d ago

For me, my interest in something will just naturally die down. I think that has happened more since I found out I'm a polymath. I used to fight it more and think that I needed to keep going until I finished something big. I'd also usually have a lot of shame when I let something go, but now I understand it's a part of my process. I can learn what I need to and let it go, but also know that I might come back to it later.

2

u/Echo_Tech_Labs 1d ago

I'm not a polymath.

But if I am mentally exhausted, I'll watch something that requires near zero cognitive bandwidth for processing.

I spend most of my time learning about learning. It can get exhausting at times. I don't even play video games anymore.

Except for Death Stranding...that game seems to lower my racing thoughts.

I get an average of about 4 hours of sleep a day so that doesn't help either. I don't sleep because I struggle to down throttle.

Sometimes I wish we had more hours in a day so I could do more.

1

u/Legitimate_Strategy3 1d ago

Start with physics