The Allure of the Incomplete

Our brains love to fill in gaps, solve puzzles, know the answer. That sense of closure can feel like its own reward.

The minute the ending is reached, all the tension is gone.

Of course, often that means it’s also the moment we lose interest. We move on to the next thing.

I learned of a technique to combat writers block: Never fully complete a writing session. Once you’re finished writing a chapter, immediately start the next one and the stop after a couple sentences. Even better, stop mid-sentence so your next day starts with completing it as a way to kickstart your writing session.

When is it good for you to give yourself the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing something?

And when could it be useful to stop yourself midway, leaving tension on the line so you start up again already in motion?