I’m sure you are experiencing the same issue that I am - not being able to run out and get whatever you want, whenever you want it. Today was another wake-up call for me. After all of the handwashing, I noticed how dry my nails were. The hand cream I was using wasn’t helping my nails and cuticles. My first thought was, “I’ll go to the drug store and pick up some nail oil.” Then I began to think, what else do I need while I’m out? Then, I literally said to myself, “Stop, what are you doing. You are creating reasons to go out and that is the worst thing you can do. You are putting yourself and others at risk for something as silly as nail oil.”
Once I was able to slow my automatic, habitual response to this need, I was able to engage my creativity. I asked myself, “what do I have that would work for my nails?”. I then remembered hearing that coconut oil was good for nails. And, yay, I have coconut oil in my pantry! And then as most of us do, I went to Google and put in “substitute nail oil”. And of course, there were countless options. One option that caught my eye was tea tree oil, which I also had. The unexpected benefit was that putting tea tree oil in my hand cream would help my chapped hands. What a nice bonus!
The point here is not to provide advice on nail care, but to prompt your consideration of how we have multiple opportunities to practice our creativity skills. Research shows that when we are present, we have the ability to see the situation differently. That is, to see the situation without the filter of previous habits and biases. When our minds are open, we are able to think differently, expand our options, we can improvise, and we can find different uses for ordinary things.
At Levelhead we have designed numerous exercises to help us build our creativity and our problem-solving skills. Now, because of this “new normal”, we have many everyday situations to practice in real time.
HELPFUL TIPS
I invite you to consider how you can use everyday situations to train your attention. One of the most impactful ways to do this is to begin by noticing where your attention is focused throughout the day. This doesn’t take extra time or special skills, only an intention to do this. Here’s an example of how you might begin:
Periodically, during the day, turn your attention inward and reflect on your thoughts. You may find that a lot of your attention is devoted to problem solving or planning.
Then notice what solutions you are considering.
Are you trying to solve these problems the same way you always have?
Are these solutions in alignment with the greater good?
Are there other options to consider?
Where can you go for help in expanding your thinking - talking to others or searching the internet, perhaps?
Once you have come up with alternatives, reflect on the benefits of thinking about the problem from a different perspective.
Take a moment to celebrate breaking out of your habitual thinking by saying to yourself, “I knew I could figure this out.” Or, “I can handle whatever comes my way.”
Then, share your creative solution with others and ask that they share what they are doing to creatively solve the problems of today’s environment.
I hope you will take this opportunity to positively contribute to the well-being of others in whatever way that works for you. There’s no better way to emotionally take care of yourself than to focus your attention on helping others.