# fascination directly related to [[wonder]] and [[curiosity]]. - _this page needs to be refined. my thoughts are scrambled but there’s something worth chasing here._ --- Something about being fascinated by the world and finding inspiration in what interests you. --- ## soft fascination > “I find it interesting that giving your voluntary attention a little something to feed on works better for refreshing your mind than, say, just sitting in a completely empty and quiet room.” > > — Brett & Kate McKay, [The Art of Manliness](https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/become-the-supreme-commander-of-your-mind-how-to-effectively-manage-your-attention/) > [Soft fascination](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0013916518774400) (Avik [Basu, Jason Duvall, Rachel Kaplan](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013916518774400)) is the state when you are aware of a stimulus, enough to get out of your own head, but not overstimulated to the point you can’t relax. **Multiple studies have proven that natural stimulus, i.e trees, nature, etc. or even just natural sounds or things that look natural, such as a nice piece of unfinished wood, are most conducive to soft fascination.** > > — Tom Littler, [Why we need more wabi-sabi in digital design on UX Design](https://uxdesign.cc/why-we-need-more-wabi-sabi-in-digital-design-fabb062f900) > When we surrender to “soft fascination,” we are not running from the world but ambling back to ourselves and our untrammeled multitudes, free to encounter parts of the mind we rarely access, free to acquaint different parts with one another so that entirely novel connections emerge. > > — Maria Popova, [The Marginalian](https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/07/01/default-mode-network-awe-soft-fascination/) > Scientists theorize that the “soft fascination” evoked by natural scenes engages what’s known as the brain’s “default mode network.” When this network is activated, we enter a loose associative state in which we’re not focused on any one particular task but are receptive to unexpected connections and insights. > > — Annie Murphy Paul, [The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain](https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Outside-Brain-Annie-Murphy/dp/0544947665/?tag=braipick-20) Serendipity has been delightfully giving me references to “soft fascination” everywhere lately. It is that almost [[zen]] state you enter into when you connect with the external world in a relaxing way that allows your mind to [[wander]] without getting lost. Many of the examples have to do with recharging and replenishing, with finding focus and controlling attention. It is about mindfully communing with nature and finding meaning in daily existence. Not surprisingly, the most intense ideas and [[inspiration]] can be found in this state of soft fascination. Something about making connections, finding meaning. Fascination is also possible during the creative production where every movement and mark feels just right. You are separate from, yet fully embodied in the process of creation. It is a joyful act of watching yourself making the marks while being keenly interested in how those marks evolve on the screen or the canvas. --- ### work on things you are interested in > It's essential to work on something you're deeply interested in. Interest will drive you to work harder than mere diligence ever could. The three most powerful motives are curiosity, delight, and the desire to do something impressive. Sometimes they converge, and that combination is the most powerful of all. > > — Paul Graham --- Learn more … - [How to Grow Re-Enchanted with the World from The Marginalian.](https://www.themarginalian.org/2023/03/04/katherine-may-enchantment/) --- tags: #creativity #process #mindset home: [[! creative process]]