Make room for deliberate drift
A recent study links intentional mind wandering and attention control with aspects of creative thinking, while also showing that context matters.
examined how intentional and unintentional mind wandering relate to creative thinking
The Story
A new study published in Consciousness and Cognition examined mind wandering, attention control, and creative thinking across two experiments. It found positive relationships between deliberate mind wandering and creative problem solving, while also noting task-specific effects and limitations.
That is more nuanced than the usual “daydreaming makes you creative” headline. Productive drift appears to depend on intention, attentional control, and the kind of creative task involved—not simply on escaping focus.
For Studio Wensday, the practical ritual is modest: alternate concentrated making with bounded walks, sketching, or low-stakes observation. The goal is not to abandon attention, but to give the mind a different surface on which connections can form.
Studio Wensday Angle
Creative rest works better when it is designed, not accidental.