Processes of the mind
Today I cleaned up my computer software. I came upon the realization that this cleaning is sort of similar to cleaning up the mind. Thought it was an interesting analogy.
In my experience, there is always something on the top of my mind. Something that takes up the primary spot, i.e. one process or program shown on the screen. Its that something that comes to mind when you relax, or before falling asleep.
However, as soon as you deal with that thing (finish what you’re doing and exit the application) there is usually something else running in the background. Another application. In my case it was Google Chrome, Excel, Steam, Spotify and Malwarebytes. You deal with each one and another one appears.
This is without even mentioning the long list of critical processes that are part of the system that you cannot quit. As a side note, I wonder what the task manager for a human mind would look like?
This dealing with applications just to have another one appear behind the first one also happens in the mind. As soon as you deal with that project that has been on your mind, something else — usually seemingly equally important — pops up and starts occupying the mind. It seems we want to think about something and its always important.
Ultimately after cleaning up the active processes, you reach your desktop background. However, that is then filled with a different kind of clutter; shortcuts to programs, projects and other things that have been left behind. These are harder to clean up since its not simply deleting the active process. Some of them might be useful which is why they’ve been left there. It requires more thought — what should be left for future use and what is not necessary anymore.
Actually while writing this I realize I never use the shortcuts on my desktop screen, I simply search for what I need using the windows key — instead I use the desktop to save interesting pictures or other documents I might interest me in the future… With that said I’m dumping all application shortcuts into the trash. I don’t know how to compare the desktop background to the mind in a good manner though — maybe you know?
Another interesting aspect, however, is the startup list of programs. Applications sneak into the startup list when installed and often remain there unchecked because they run as background processes and can be easy to miss. They fill up your startup and slow down your PC every time you start it. Can this be compared to the things that hijack part of the mind every morning you wake up? A phone in my hand before leaving bed, thoughts and routines that have been so engraved they almost seem like startup programs in my daily life. Some good, some bad.
Startup programs slow down your “waking up” process and set you on a path for the day that may not be optimal. My intuition tells me the phone, especially, is a bandit that hijacks our otherwise calm time right after waking up. Still, I do it — if only it were as easy as removing startup programs from a computer.
