I used to be a Medic and Firefighter-- in short I was an adrenaline junkie. And now I'm old and retired. And my body is bent and currently a bit broken. I seek to learn how to be dull.
Despite the enjoyment of watching the hummingbirds at my feeders and the light gardening I do. I still think I could become even more satisfied with my dullness.
Guide me to complete dullness!
I wasn't taught about "free writing" per se. But it was briefly mentioned if I can remember correctly back the 100 years or so ago when I was last in a classroom as a student. I think it's an excellent method for writers searching for ideas, but I don't think holds value for me. I suspect I have a more logically organized thought process. Which probably speaks to the careers I had over my life, toolmaker/engineer, Medic, and math teacher.
I am a pretty good verbal storyteller. And my daughters will vouch for the tall tales I told them as children. As will the young students I had when I taught in my local school. But I ain't going to write them down.
And as someone who has been on a stage and performed for a room full of drunks, I will tell you there ain't nothing dumber on two feet than a crowd. They will like almost anything you do no matter how technically poor it might be. So keep a pickin' and a grinnin' as long as you enjoy doing it.