Thought processes and associativity

Does anyone else feel like their brain just operates on a completely different frequency than the rest of the population? It’s not like my thought process is a straight line... it’s more like a massive web of associations. I’m constantly spotting patterns and making connections that seem totally nonsensical to everyone else, using this alternative logic that only makes sense in my own head. Plus, I'm a super visual thinker—just constant imagery flashing around in my mind—though I guess maybe that isn't that weird.
And yeah, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the deep, complex layers of a situation while somehow completely missing the obvious, glaringly simple point right in front of me. 😬 My thoughts are incredibly fragmented and abstract... they’re hard to pin down, let alone control.

Does it make sense to link all this to something like bipolar disorder or ADHD, or is it something else entirely?

zooming out on the image

Alright. Maybe you could walk me through that thought a bit more? 😬

I’ve been having this weird issue lately where I just can't seem to spot the obvious—even when it's staring me right in the face. For instance, I'll be watching some YouTube video about massive construction fails, right? It'll show a slideshow of maybe ten different photos, and I won't actually wrap my head around what went wrong until I'm looking at the third or fourth one.

Roger Kern16 said:Does anyone else feel like their brain just operates on a completely different frequency than the rest of the population? It’s not like my thought process is a straight line... it’s more like a massive web of associations. I’m constantly spotting patterns and making connections that seem totally nonsensical to everyone else, using this alternative logic that only makes sense in my own head. Plus, I'm a super visual thinker—just constant imagery flashing around in my mind—though I guess maybe that isn't that weird.
And yeah, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the deep, complex layers of a situation while somehow completely missing the obvious, glaringly simple point right in front of me. 😬 My thoughts are incredibly fragmented and abstract... they’re hard to pin down, let alone control.

Does it make sense to link all this to something like bipolar disorder or ADHD, or is it something else entirely?

That question is just part of that specific mindset of yours—seeing things through a different lens while simultaneously questioning if you're actually seeing them right. Just recognize that moment where you're basically trying to map out your own version of reality, that constant need to double-check everything...

So, how do you handle problem-solving, for example?
Do you tend to jump straight to solutions that leave people totally blindsided at first, only for them to wonder later why they didn't see it themselves?
And do you actually visualize your thoughts as you're processing them?

William Roberts3 said:That question is just part of that specific mindset of yours—seeing things through a different lens while simultaneously questioning if you're actually seeing them right. Just recognize that moment where you're basically trying to map out your own version of reality, that constant need to double-check everything...

So, how do you handle problem-solving, for example?
Do you tend to jump straight to solutions that leave people totally blindsided at first, only for them to wonder later why they didn't see it themselves?
And do you actually visualize your thoughts as you're processing them?

You nailed it. Uncertainty and doubt are basically permanent side effects of how my brain processes things... especially when there's no tangible proof in the physical world to back up what I'm thinking. Or, you know, when what I'm trying to describe makes zero sense to anyone else. It ties back to that fragmentation, that non-linear, associative chaos happening inside my head that looks totally nonsensical from the outside. The more I dwell on something, the more abstract it gets. It’s like everything branches out into this endless labyrinth, just unlocking more questions instead of answers.
Anyway, it makes making decisions or giving straight answers a total nightmare.

Quinn:

So, how do you handle problem-solving, for example? Do you find solutions quickly that leave people stunned at first, only for them to later wonder why they didn't see it themselves?

It fluctuates. It depends entirely on my mood and how much I actually care about the issue. I definitely experience what you described—sometimes my brain just serves up a solution out of thin air, purely through intuition. Other times, I'll get completely stuck on something incredibly simple. People usually react to my analogies with genuine surprise... for better or worse.😬

Quinn:

Do you visualize your thoughts?

Most of the time, yeah. My mind puts everything into some kind of visual context. It’s not like my thoughts are physically manifesting, per se, but more like there are constant visual associations tied to whatever I'm thinking about.

Are you speaking (well, asking) from personal experience? What exactly do you mean by that?

Visualization really helps—though it all comes down to how creative you are.
My rule of thumb when things start spiraling out of control—which honestly feels more like one giant, "sticky" web of chaos to me—is that it’s time to categorize.
I can't move forward until I've sorted everything and identified what belongs where. If I don't categorize, the whole web just falls apart—the core info, the actual heart of the breakdown, just vanishes.

Here's how it looks in my head: there’s this massive, smooth, black void. Inside that space, I build a long hallway of doors. Each door has its own label. Behind those doors, you either find more doors (depending on how deep I need to go) or a section filled with "office drawers," which are also labeled.
Since you mentioned being a visual person, this setup might sound familiar. I actually use something similar to manage how I express emotions (not the feelings themselves, just the expression)—I have specific "rooms" for that.

I'm not sure how much one can actually stop analyzing, or if that's even necessary. My approach is basically studying myself until I figure out how to best use the tools I was born with. I don't want to suppress my nature unless it directly clashes with someone else's.

That's just how it works naturally—you explore who you are instead of molding yourself to fit someone else. At the end of the day, all our natures are part of the same "web." I can't live as an imitation. (I end up with these weird, disconnected conclusions that only make sense to me 🕺 )

By embracing your true nature, you unlock that intuitive side of yourself—that elusive core. You react to problems with this logical-intuitive blend. (To me, intuition is just knowledge you've reached through self-discovery without even realizing it. It's not some "predetermined impulse from the universe." 😬 )

Peter Murphy6 said:Visualization really helps—though it all comes down to how creative you are.
My rule of thumb when things start spiraling out of control—which honestly feels more like one giant, "sticky" web of chaos to me—is that it’s time to categorize.
I can't move forward until I've sorted everything and identified what belongs where. If I don't categorize, the whole web just falls apart—the core info, the actual heart of the breakdown, just vanishes.

Here's how it looks in my head: there’s this massive, smooth, black void. Inside that space, I build a long hallway of doors. Each door has its own label. Behind those doors, you either find more doors (depending on how deep I need to go) or a section filled with "office drawers," which are also labeled.
Since you mentioned being a visual person, this setup might sound familiar. I actually use something similar to manage how I express emotions (not the feelings themselves, just the expression)—I have specific "rooms" for that.

I'm not sure how much one can actually stop analyzing, or if that's even necessary. My approach is basically studying myself until I figure out how to best use the tools I was born with. I don't want to suppress my nature unless it directly clashes with someone else's.

That's just how it works naturally—you explore who you are instead of molding yourself to fit someone else. At the end of the day, all our natures are part of the same "web." I can't live as an imitation. (I end up with these weird, disconnected conclusions that only make sense to me 🕺 )

By embracing your true nature, you unlock that intuitive side of yourself—that elusive core. You react to problems with this logical-intuitive blend. (To me, intuition is just knowledge you've reached through self-discovery without even realizing it. It's not some "predetermined impulse from the universe." 😬 )

This is so interesting. That door concept hits home for me—that space feels like a circular foyer full of portals, kind of like the level from Crash Bandicoot 2 I used to play as a kid. But for me, there's zero order or organization inside them. It's pure Chaos. I have no idea where things start or end, and I just get lost in the mess. That’s probably why I even started this thread... how do you actually get a chaotic thought process under control? Half the time, it feels like I'm not even driving; I just pick a topic and my mind takes the wheel and goes wherever it wants.

It seems like I'm missing that categorization step you mentioned, so my mental network just crashes constantly because it gets overloaded.
Are those office drawers something you actively organize, or does it just happen on its own? Is that whole system under your control, or are you just giving a detached description of how you process things?

I don't know how much it's even possible to stop analyzing, or if it would even be useful to try. I'm basically following the principle of studying myself to figure out how to best use what I've got. I don't want to suppress my nature unless it directly clashes with someone else's.

That's just how people are built. You explore your own nature; you don't mold it to fit someone else's. And at the end of the day, all our "networks" are essentially the same. I can't live an imitation. (I end up with these weird, disconnected conclusions that only make sense to me 🕺 )

I relate to this so much. Everything from the intense over-analyzing (mostly inward, which has been giving me major headaches lately) to the aggressive resistance against any kind of forced structure or framework.

I also deal with these mental "fogs"—kind of like when a laptop screen freezes up—especially lately with all the stress and deadlines. I often can't just "unlock" information on command. Like, if someone gives me a topic, I can't just elaborate on it immediately; I usually pull pieces out in fragments through associations or by relating it to something else. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Do you have a diagnosis, or have you found anything in psychology or psychiatry that talks about all this? I'm totally lost...

The rooms, the drawers, the doors—all those mental spaces aren't some cozy escape hatch I decorate just to hide away. Not at all. They’re more like tools for my emotions and analysis—basically part of my internal machinery.
Even my thoughts aren't an exit strategy from reality; they're how I make sense of it.
If you find yourself retreating into your own head, maybe that's where the glitch is?

For me, what I just described isn't separate from who I am. It's not some distinct little world tucked inside me (even though most people basically live in their own private universes)
I don't struggle with focusing on thoughts. Maybe it's because it just happens automatically—I tend to lock onto that first thought right away. That’s why I can ramble about something for three hours straight and then effortlessly loop back to where I started. Maybe you could try creating a "starting point" in your mind? Like, memorize it using associations—giving a thought a physical shape or a visual cue.
Say, I start talking about human psychology, and somehow end up drifting toward Chaos and the organization of the universe 🤣
Psychology might trigger a specific color in my mind, or an emotion, or even a visual image. Like, psychology might remind me of a box, and just like that, I’ve anchored the original thought.

Yeah, it's under my control because I actually designed the system to fit how my brain works. Before that, it was pure Chaos—just totally unfocused. That’s why I used to stop myself from drifting too much. You have control here. This isn't some alternate dimension; it’s just you.

It's interesting you mention resisting labels. It feels like you're working really hard to fit into a specific diagnosis. I get it—it’s easier that way. You push back against being boxed in, yet deep down, you’re desperate to find a category that explains you. Even when people act similarly, the "why" behind it is usually totally different. Humans are way too complex to be reduced to scientific or psychological patterns. Those are just templates.
If I'm reading you right, instead of your mental processes working for you, you're working for them. Your "self" is the core.

I don't have a diagnosis. 🙂 I haven't looked for one either, though for a while, I was just like you—trying to squeeze myself into established frameworks. It feels easier, gives you a sense of belonging, but you don't actually end up meeting your true self.
I actually met myself because that’s the upside of this kind of process—if you keep it under wraps. You can see the big picture so much more clearly. Now, if it messes with your daily life or how you deal with people, then yeah, that's a problem. But if it's just a matter of lacking control, that’s something you can "easily" learn.

What’s happening in your head can go either way—it could be a massive gift or a huge burden. I know.
Honestly, sometimes the best way to figure out who you are is to just let go—to let yourself get swept up in your own existence. I don't even know how to put it. I don't know how much you're holding yourself back...

I've studied psychology and psychiatry on my own as deeply as I could—not necessarily to explain who I am now, but to trace how I got here, to figure out what parts are "me" and what parts were just shaped by my upbringing.

Roger Kern16 said:Does anyone else feel like their brain just operates on a completely different frequency than the rest of the population? It’s not like my thought process is a straight line... it’s more like a massive web of associations. I’m constantly spotting patterns and making connections that seem totally nonsensical to everyone else, using this alternative logic that only makes sense in my own head. Plus, I'm a super visual thinker—just constant imagery flashing around in my mind—though I guess maybe that isn't that weird.
And yeah, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the deep, complex layers of a situation while somehow completely missing the obvious, glaringly simple point right in front of me. 😬 My thoughts are incredibly fragmented and abstract... they’re hard to pin down, let alone control.

Does it make sense to link all this to something like bipolar disorder or ADHD, or is it something else entirely?

The artist, the art. It’s a concept that carries such heavy, often exhausting weight, isn't it? I find myself pondering whether we can ever truly separate the creator from the creation, though perhaps that’s a futile endeavor. One wonders if the essence of the work exists independently, or if it remains forever tethered to the psyche of its maker. It’s a messy, complicated relationship, I suppose. Maybe there is no distinction at all. 🙂 I realize how intimidating it can be when you're surrounded by such blatant primitivism, but honestly... it’s exhausting. In a truly advanced society, someone like this would actually be embraced; there would be support for their growth and development. But here? Here, you're viewed as nothing more than a threat simply because you pose a risk to the status quo of this local ignorance. I suppose that's just the way things work in places that refuse to evolve. ☕

It seems to possess a modicum more logic than those endless cycles of endless diagnoses, where psychiatry only serves its own self-serving purposes, or perhaps when one gets caught up in the tedious dragging out of treatments through alternative medicine. I suppose it’s all just a bit much. ☕

Quinn:

I wonder if there is any merit in attempting to draw a connection here to, say, bipolar disorder or perhaps ADHD, or if we are looking at something else entirely. I suppose it’s difficult to say for certain without more data, but one might consider if there is an underlying link to something else altogether.

I suppose it all depends on who is actually initiating the connection. It’s a matter of perspective, really. 🙂 I suppose I should frame these inquiries within the broader context of intelligence itself. It seems somewhat futile, really, though perhaps necessary. If we assume that we actually "exist" within a universe governed by cause and effect, then the answers provided aren't even remotely close to being intelligent. Or maybe they are; it’s hard to say for certain. 😉

Roger Kern16 said:You nailed it. Uncertainty and doubt are basically permanent side effects of how my brain processes things... especially when there's no tangible proof in the physical world to back up what I'm thinking. Or, you know, when what I'm trying to describe makes zero sense to anyone else. It ties back to that fragmentation, that non-linear, associative chaos happening inside my head that looks totally nonsensical from the outside. The more I dwell on something, the more abstract it gets. It’s like everything branches out into this endless labyrinth, just unlocking more questions instead of answers.
Anyway, it makes making decisions or giving straight answers a total nightmare.

Quinn:

So, how do you handle problem-solving, for example? Do you find solutions quickly that leave people stunned at first, only for them to later wonder why they didn't see it themselves?

It fluctuates. It depends entirely on my mood and how much I actually care about the issue. I definitely experience what you described—sometimes my brain just serves up a solution out of thin air, purely through intuition. Other times, I'll get completely stuck on something incredibly simple. People usually react to my analogies with genuine surprise... for better or worse.😬

Quinn:

Do you visualize your thoughts?

Most of the time, yeah. My mind puts everything into some kind of visual context. It’s not like my thoughts are physically manifesting, per se, but more like there are constant visual associations tied to whatever I'm thinking about.

Are you speaking (well, asking) from personal experience? What exactly do you mean by that?

There isn't an exact 🙂 Asking for precision is just trying to use linear, controlling logic to explain something non-linear.
You just have to feel/see it for yourself. I’m just writing what I feel. There are tons of ways to try and make the "linear" side even slightly clear, but it doesn't work because you need that non-linear "understanding" too. It stays—and will always stay—indescribable to anyone stuck in purely linear thinking.
You want to get to know/understand yourself so you can feel more comfortable and at home in your own skin, which feels like it's swimming through endless oceans of "non-linearity."
The way I see it, my non-linear side perceives things that are "hidden" from my linear processing, but they aren't fighting; they actually enrich the "reality" of the linearity.
It's like a coin with two sides that aren't in conflict or opposition. They don't clash.

Having too much of either—too much non-linearity or too much linearity—just leads to life feeling empty, frustrating, unsatisfying, full of internal conflict and feeling incomplete... because you haven't accepted the other side of the coin.

Did they let you be more "yourself" when you were a kid?
Rules, upbringing, dogmas, even certain types of education tend to block non-linearity just to make it easier to fit in with the crowd—people who think on a more linear, learned/memorized basis.

I can't really suggest anything other than hoping you realize this your own way and feel out your own model/system (there are several) that makes integrating the linear and non-linear easier. That way they become friends in one whole understanding, letting you show up for yourself and others more effectively. Everyone has to walk that path alone.

If I had to boil all that down into a non-linear, intuitive impulse, it would be this: you just need to "realize" that this is YOU! And you don't need to keep neglecting yourself by constantly questioning who you are!
It's not a "Eureka! I finally get it!" kind of realization, but more of a subtlety: "Oh, I don't actually need to understand something that already exists... I am it."

Peter Murphy6 said:The rooms, the drawers, the doors—all those mental spaces aren't some cozy escape hatch I decorate just to hide away. Not at all. They’re more like tools for my emotions and analysis—basically part of my internal machinery.
Even my thoughts aren't an exit strategy from reality; they're how I make sense of it.
If you find yourself retreating into your own head, maybe that's where the glitch is?

For me, what I just described isn't separate from who I am. It's not some distinct little world tucked inside me (even though most people basically live in their own private universes)
I don't struggle with focusing on thoughts. Maybe it's because it just happens automatically—I tend to lock onto that first thought right away. That’s why I can ramble about something for three hours straight and then effortlessly loop back to where I started. Maybe you could try creating a "starting point" in your mind? Like, memorize it using associations—giving a thought a physical shape or a visual cue.
Say, I start talking about human psychology, and somehow end up drifting toward Chaos and the organization of the universe 🤣
Psychology might trigger a specific color in my mind, or an emotion, or even a visual image. Like, psychology might remind me of a box, and just like that, I’ve anchored the original thought.

Yeah, it's under my control because I actually designed the system to fit how my brain works. Before that, it was pure Chaos—just totally unfocused. That’s why I used to stop myself from drifting too much. You have control here. This isn't some alternate dimension; it’s just you.

It's interesting you mention resisting labels. It feels like you're working really hard to fit into a specific diagnosis. I get it—it’s easier that way. You push back against being boxed in, yet deep down, you’re desperate to find a category that explains you. Even when people act similarly, the "why" behind it is usually totally different. Humans are way too complex to be reduced to scientific or psychological patterns. Those are just templates.
If I'm reading you right, instead of your mental processes working for you, you're working for them. Your "self" is the core.

I don't have a diagnosis. 🙂 I haven't looked for one either, though for a while, I was just like you—trying to squeeze myself into established frameworks. It feels easier, gives you a sense of belonging, but you don't actually end up meeting your true self.
I actually met myself because that’s the upside of this kind of process—if you keep it under wraps. You can see the big picture so much more clearly. Now, if it messes with your daily life or how you deal with people, then yeah, that's a problem. But if it's just a matter of lacking control, that’s something you can "easily" learn.

What’s happening in your head can go either way—it could be a massive gift or a huge burden. I know.
Honestly, sometimes the best way to figure out who you are is to just let go—to let yourself get swept up in your own existence. I don't even know how to put it. I don't know how much you're holding yourself back...

I've studied psychology and psychiatry on my own as deeply as I could—not necessarily to explain who I am now, but to trace how I got here, to figure out what parts are "me" and what parts were just shaped by my upbringing.

This is probably where my issue lies. It’s highly likely I’m blurring the line between actual thought processes and some kind of dissociation or heavy daydreaming. I haven't dealt with this before—spending this much time stuck inside my own head... it's getting weird. I've been reading up on Jungian active imagination and how creativity works in general, and honestly? I think I might have mixed a few concepts together...

Quinn:

Yeah, I’m running the show now because I actually designed a system that matches how my brain works. Before I figured this out, everything was just pure Chaos... totally unfocused. That's why I used to try and stop my thoughts from drifting all over the place. But look, you’re the one in control here. It isn't some mystical realm existing outside of yourself. It's just you...

Quinn:

I can't really offer much advice beyond this: you just have to see it for yourself. You need to figure out your own internal logic—your own little system, if you will—that helps bridge the gap between linear and non-linear thinking... making them actually play nice together. Once those two sides finally shake hands and become one cohesive way of understanding things, you'll start showing up as your best self. And honestly, when you're firing on all cylinders like that, everyone around you benefits too. But yeah... that's a solo mission. Everyone has to find their own way through it.

So, how does one actually design a principle? It’s not like you just pull it out of thin air and hope for the best... though some people certainly try. You can't just slap a label on a vibe and call it a rule. That’s how you end up with total Chaos. It’s more about finding that core logic... that underlying structure that holds everything together when things start falling apart. You have to strip away the noise. Get down to the bones of it. It’s almost like a Jungian deep dive into your own decision-making process... trying to find that one constant in a sea of variables. But honestly? Most people just wing it. They mistake a fleeting impulse for a foundational value. Big mistake. Huge. If you don't build the framework first, you're just drifting... and trust me, nobody wants to be adrift when the pressure hits. 😬 When you say "before," what exactly are we talking about? You both keep mentioning that this is a process everyone goes through on their own, but you’re being incredibly vague... like some kind of distant echo from a mile away... 😬 Then again, the intuitive side of me kind of gets it...

Quinn:

I wasn't even looking for her, though for a while there, I was doing exactly what you did... trying to force myself into those neat little boxes everyone uses. It’s easier that way, I guess. You get that sense of belonging, that feeling that you finally fit somewhere... but you aren't actually meeting your real self at all. Just chasing a label...

You hit the nail on the head there... even if I still verbally refuse to belong to any specific group. But honestly? Everything I’ve been doing over the last few months has just been one long, exhausting attempt to explain myself through some kind of label or diagnosis...

I’m actually pretty glad so many of you jumped in to weigh in on this. Thanks for all the comments and for sharing what you've been through... it definitely helps dial down the Chaos of the whole situation a bit. 😁
ps. what does any of this actually have to do with being creative? how are we supposed to make the most of it... do you guys paint, write, or just do something else entirely?
P.S. About that suspicion I mentioned... how am I supposed to handle this? It feels like there are at least ten different ways to look at it, and honestly, every single one of them could be right. I have no clue how to wrap my head around this one...

Lawrence Bailey77 said:The artist, the art. It’s a concept that carries such heavy, often exhausting weight, isn't it? I find myself pondering whether we can ever truly separate the creator from the creation, though perhaps that’s a futile endeavor. One wonders if the essence of the work exists independently, or if it remains forever tethered to the psyche of its maker. It’s a messy, complicated relationship, I suppose. Maybe there is no distinction at all. 🙂 I realize how intimidating it can be when you're surrounded by such blatant primitivism, but honestly... it’s exhausting. In a truly advanced society, someone like this would actually be embraced; there would be support for their growth and development. But here? Here, you're viewed as nothing more than a threat simply because you pose a risk to the status quo of this local ignorance. I suppose that's just the way things work in places that refuse to evolve. ☕

It seems to possess a modicum more logic than those endless cycles of endless diagnoses, where psychiatry only serves its own self-serving purposes, or perhaps when one gets caught up in the tedious dragging out of treatments through alternative medicine. I suppose it’s all just a bit much. ☕

Quinn:

I wonder if there is any merit in attempting to draw a connection here to, say, bipolar disorder or perhaps ADHD, or if we are looking at something else entirely. I suppose it’s difficult to say for certain without more data, but one might consider if there is an underlying link to something else altogether.

I suppose it all depends on who is actually initiating the connection. It’s a matter of perspective, really. 🙂 I suppose I should frame these inquiries within the broader context of intelligence itself. It seems somewhat futile, really, though perhaps necessary. If we assume that we actually "exist" within a universe governed by cause and effect, then the answers provided aren't even remotely close to being intelligent. Or maybe they are; it’s hard to say for certain. 😉

Do you actually practice any kind of art? Does this whole associative/divergent processing thing help your craft, or does it just get in the way?

Honestly, I was so stoked when I stumbled upon this thread—it really helped me pin down all those abstract vibes that were just floating around in my head. So, thanks for that. 👍

Speaking of which, you hit the nail on the head—we’re talking about the same thing, but it feels abstract because that whole self-awareness piece is totally different for everyone. Sure, people can throw definitions at you, but until you actually live through the process yourself, a definition is just words. You have to feel it in your gut. That process is what makes everything personal and tailor-made for you.
That's basically how my own principle works. You spot the flaws and strengths in your own thinking, then you toss out anyone else's ideas.

People used to tell me I overthink way too much—that I was just making life harder for myself. And I actually bought into that! I took it as "case closed," totally ignoring the fact that their logic wasn't mine. My actual principle? Deep-dive analysis—breaking things down to the bone and then rebuilding them from scratch. When I tried to stop, it felt like hell inside. I mean, how do you stop being who you are? You can try to suppress it or ignore it, but it’s always gonna want out. "Stopping" the analysis just left me feeling even more frustrated, because everything I truly am was just bubbling up to the surface anyway.
So, I just went back to being myself, and that's when things finally started clicking. It’s probably part of that "letting go" thing I mentioned before.
Next time frustration hits, I'll just see it for what it is—a signpost telling me there's something to uncover, not some label that defines me. I *feel* the emotion, but I am not the emotion.

So, yeah, all ten solutions are equally doable. That’s the beauty of it—being open to all ten. Honestly, though? It feels like you aren't quite ready for all of them yet; you're looking for just one to pick.

In my head, I'll aim for the one I want most (if it's something I can actually control), but until the final result happens, every option stays on the table. (Not exactly, though—short version: as time runs out, the options naturally shrink.)

What I mean is, I accept all options equally. "Dreaming up" new paths actually brings me peace instead of stress.
Before, I was in a phase where I was suppressing myself because I was scared of my own shadow. The world kept telling me I shouldn't be "this way," but who even defines what "this way" is? I felt that same frustration you're feeling from all those empty possibilities. That was my uncentered Chaos—just pure restlessness from having too many doors standing open.

It even messed with my art. I could rarely finish anything because I’d already "seen" the finished product in my mind. But lately, that’s flipped, and it’s actually turned into a kind of artistic outlet. I draw with insane detail now—even my paintings have shifted that way. Writing is the same. By influencing outcomes I've already envisioned, I get this weird mix of control and letting go, which lets me peer into the hidden parts of myself (the parts that actually *feel* things). I create straight from my head; I'm not trying to transfer an idea, I'm just expressing my inner world.

The best part? That frustration you're feeling... it's what forces you to ask questions and hunt for answers. The fact that these questions are self-oriented is actually super healthy for you. You're moving along the "right" path of the process.
For me, that frustration eventually turned into peace. The questions didn't disappear; they just started coming from a place of pure, objective curiosity.

You can give yourself a "diagnosis," but... honestly, that word sounds pretty negative to me. It implies you're "outside the norm" or that you "should" be working to be more "acceptable" to society.
Plus, once you label yourself, you tend to stop learning because... hey, you've got a diagnosis, right? A diagnosis defines how you're different, but it doesn't tell you who you are (or maybe it's better to say "where you are").

Define yourself. Period. Psychology and psychiatry can be great guides if you use them for direction, just don't use them as a crutch.

And finally... 😁
In my case—I first come up with a "primary thought," a sort of North Star. If I start wandering too far off track, I can always find my way back to that core idea. And if I feel things starting to connect or fall apart (you can just sense it), I pause, organize everything the way I described, and then move forward.
Honestly, I think I’ve basically rewired my own brain through sheer repetition at this point.
The big difference between us? I rarely get lost in those random daydreams—if I'm "dreaming," it’s usually about something actually achievable. When I want to really wander off, I do it through art; that’s where I let myself dive into whole other worlds.

Anyway, I don't know how much more I can say—I feel like I've laid it all out for you already, so the ball's in your court. I'm not gonna tell you "what to do"—that feels like I'd be forcing my own philosophy on you, and I'm just not about that.
If I had to suggest one thing, though? Don't stifle your creativity.

Sorry for the novel! I'm over and out—sending lots of patience your way. 🎉

Roger Kern16 said:Does anyone else feel like their brain just operates on a completely different frequency than the rest of the population? It’s not like my thought process is a straight line... it’s more like a massive web of associations. I’m constantly spotting patterns and making connections that seem totally nonsensical to everyone else, using this alternative logic that only makes sense in my own head. Plus, I'm a super visual thinker—just constant imagery flashing around in my mind—though I guess maybe that isn't that weird.
And yeah, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the deep, complex layers of a situation while somehow completely missing the obvious, glaringly simple point right in front of me. 😬 My thoughts are incredibly fragmented and abstract... they’re hard to pin down, let alone control.

Does it make sense to link all this to something like bipolar disorder or ADHD, or is it something else entirely?

If your brain works that way, you can basically connect it to anything. Not just ADHD, but you could probably link it to the evolution of lungfish if you tried hard enough and didn't have anything better to do.

I remember being so fascinated when I first learned "conspiracy theorist" was an actual job. I used to try and come up with at least three every day just for practice. Of course, I missed the obvious part: it's incredibly hard to monetize that kind of thing (at least back in the dark ages of dial-up internet).😬

I'm not much of a visual person myself; I actually struggle quite a bit when I need to visualize things, especially when I'm trying to draw a straight line. That said, my brain works on both channels—I can think both linearly and associatively. I usually just keep the associative stuff to myself (unless the circumstances allow me to pretend I'm drunk or high). That associative thinking actually led me to write some decent poetry and some... let's call them "questionable" short stories. So, it’s entirely possible that this way of thinking is the bedrock of creativity and that whole "thinking outside the box" concept. In daily life, I mostly just try to have a "normal" answer ready for when people ask, "What are you thinking about?" because giving a real answer would just drag me into some pointless debate and mess up my flow.😵

I've looked into this quite a bit and found a pretty good explanation in the Myers-Briggs typology. Linear thinking would be the "T" component, whereas associative thinking fits "N." If we look at it through a linguistic lens, it’s almost like a metaphor versus a metonymy.

Stress is a big issue for me because my sensory component (S) is pretty weak, and my emotional side (F) is even weaker. This means I'll feel terrible and start searching for deep, complex reasons why, while completely overlooking the obvious culprits—like the fact that I haven't eaten in six hours or that a pig just insulted me.🤦

Roger Kern16 said:Does anyone else feel like their brain just operates on a completely different frequency than the rest of the population? It’s not like my thought process is a straight line... it’s more like a massive web of associations. I’m constantly spotting patterns and making connections that seem totally nonsensical to everyone else, using this alternative logic that only makes sense in my own head. Plus, I'm a super visual thinker—just constant imagery flashing around in my mind—though I guess maybe that isn't that weird.
And yeah, I often find myself hyper-analyzing the deep, complex layers of a situation while somehow completely missing the obvious, glaringly simple point right in front of me. 😬 My thoughts are incredibly fragmented and abstract... they’re hard to pin down, let alone control.

Does it make sense to link all this to something like bipolar disorder or ADHD, or is it something else entirely?

That intuitive vibe you're describing? That's basically a perceptual psychological function. Just Google MBTI and take a test—might actually help you out.

Edit—I finally managed to organize those jumping, non-linear associations by leaning into systems theory. Everything around us (including ourselves) is just a series of systems, and theoretically, everything can be placed into an interactive relationship. My hand is a system, my laptop is a system, my apartment is a system... they all interact. Once you view things that way, you can navigate that web of connectivity and zoom-in or zoom-out on specific parts.

Roger Kern16 said:This is probably where my issue lies. It’s highly likely I’m blurring the line between actual thought processes and some kind of dissociation or heavy daydreaming. I haven't dealt with this before—spending this much time stuck inside my own head... it's getting weird. I've been reading up on Jungian active imagination and how creativity works in general, and honestly? I think I might have mixed a few concepts together...

Quinn:

Yeah, I’m running the show now because I actually designed a system that matches how my brain works. Before I figured this out, everything was just pure Chaos... totally unfocused. That's why I used to try and stop my thoughts from drifting all over the place. But look, you’re the one in control here. It isn't some mystical realm existing outside of yourself. It's just you...

Quinn:

I can't really offer much advice beyond this: you just have to see it for yourself. You need to figure out your own internal logic—your own little system, if you will—that helps bridge the gap between linear and non-linear thinking... making them actually play nice together. Once those two sides finally shake hands and become one cohesive way of understanding things, you'll start showing up as your best self. And honestly, when you're firing on all cylinders like that, everyone around you benefits too. But yeah... that's a solo mission. Everyone has to find their own way through it.

So, how does one actually design a principle? It’s not like you just pull it out of thin air and hope for the best... though some people certainly try. You can't just slap a label on a vibe and call it a rule. That’s how you end up with total Chaos. It’s more about finding that core logic... that underlying structure that holds everything together when things start falling apart. You have to strip away the noise. Get down to the bones of it. It’s almost like a Jungian deep dive into your own decision-making process... trying to find that one constant in a sea of variables. But honestly? Most people just wing it. They mistake a fleeting impulse for a foundational value. Big mistake. Huge. If you don't build the framework first, you're just drifting... and trust me, nobody wants to be adrift when the pressure hits. 😬 When you say "before," what exactly are we talking about? You both keep mentioning that this is a process everyone goes through on their own, but you’re being incredibly vague... like some kind of distant echo from a mile away... 😬 Then again, the intuitive side of me kind of gets it...

Quinn:

I wasn't even looking for her, though for a while there, I was doing exactly what you did... trying to force myself into those neat little boxes everyone uses. It’s easier that way, I guess. You get that sense of belonging, that feeling that you finally fit somewhere... but you aren't actually meeting your real self at all. Just chasing a label...

You hit the nail on the head there... even if I still verbally refuse to belong to any specific group. But honestly? Everything I’ve been doing over the last few months has just been one long, exhausting attempt to explain myself through some kind of label or diagnosis...

I’m actually pretty glad so many of you jumped in to weigh in on this. Thanks for all the comments and for sharing what you've been through... it definitely helps dial down the Chaos of the whole situation a bit. 😁
ps. what does any of this actually have to do with being creative? how are we supposed to make the most of it... do you guys paint, write, or just do something else entirely?
P.S. About that suspicion I mentioned... how am I supposed to handle this? It feels like there are at least ten different ways to look at it, and honestly, every single one of them could be right. I have no clue how to wrap my head around this one...

Quantum superposition—the idea that every possible state can exist at once—gets wrecked by actual lived experience. Sure, it works on paper, but the second you’re standing at a crossroads deciding which way to turn, you’ve already killed off all those other paths.

Advice? Get out of your own head and actually live; plans and abstractions are fine as frameworks or guidelines, sure, but most of them just fall apart the moment you hit the real world.

Translation: you don't have any real problems and you've got way too much free time.

Ah, those college days.

Rachel Stewart36 said:That intuitive vibe you're describing? That's basically a perceptual psychological function. Just Google MBTI and take a test—might actually help you out.

Edit—I finally managed to organize those jumping, non-linear associations by leaning into systems theory. Everything around us (including ourselves) is just a series of systems, and theoretically, everything can be placed into an interactive relationship. My hand is a system, my laptop is a system, my apartment is a system... they all interact. Once you view things that way, you can navigate that web of connectivity and zoom-in or zoom-out on specific parts.

Actually, those are two distinct functions. At least within the system you're suggesting.

Joseph Bailey41 said:Actually, those are two distinct functions. At least within the system you're suggesting.

I was only talking about one—perceptual-intuitive—didn't even bring up the other perceptual side or decision making. 😉

Rachel Stewart36 said:I was only talking about one—perceptual-intuitive—didn't even bring up the other perceptual side or decision making. 😉

You can try to dance around it all you want, but in the MBTI framework, N stands for intuitive and P stands for perceptive. Decision making is actually handled by the T/F dichotomy.

Whatever you say. ☕