I recently learned about the “iceberg” theory, that you’re only aware of 10% of the stuff that goes on in your mind, while the other 90% is happening beneath the surface.

However, there are ways to strengthen that connection. I’ve always considered myself an unconscious writer. I realize now that I rely on my intuition all the time for writing.

So I’m trying to strengthen my connection between my unconscious and conscious brain. I’ve been spending time journaling on a regular basis again. (I quit right about the time I started losing my brain and all words were hard, back in 2022.) I don’t write down my dreams in the morning. I’ve done that in the past and not found it that useful. However, I have been looking for themes in my dreams. That’s been educational.

I’ve also spent time just sitting and reflecting.

I’ve come to realize that I’ve been distracting myself for so long just sitting feels unusual. However, I know I need to do this, and I’ve known it for a long time.

One of my favorite posters that a co-worker back in the ’80s had on her wall stated, “A writer is still working when she’s looking out the window.” That really struck a chord with me, and I understood that I needed to do that regularly.

I’ve spent too much time looking at my phone and not enough time looking out the window these last few years. Digging deep can be scary. There’s some dark waters that I’ve been ignoring for too long. Until I can face these things, I can’t let go of them. They’ll just continue to lurk in the shadows, haunting me.

I joke sometimes that one of my personal mantras is do-be-do-be-do.

Move for a while. Be out in the world and active.

Then sit for a while. Reflect on the things you’ve done, what you’re going to do next.

Then move again.

This pattern doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s always worked for me.

So for now? I’m sitting for a while. Reflecting. Questioning. Investigating.

What about you? Do you move between the cycles of being and doing? Do you have a different cycle? Where are you in your cycle?