Things I think about thinking.
When I am diffused down to something close to a pure form I’m quite a confused and irrational human being. In my vain attempt to at least pretend to contribute something small I require some procedure or formula (I’d say recipe but we’ve gone down cooking metaphors before and it didn’t end well) to acquire something resembling mental clarity.
Here is my list of small methods I use most days to keep this shambling complex of tea, slightly off-putting literature and dead flowers (somewhat) together.
1. 60 Second Solutions
This idea actually brings so much peace into each of my days and allows me the space of mind to feel productive when I probably have no genuine reason to.
The essential explanation is; if a task would take less than 60 seconds - do it immediately.
This applies to things like sending off that quick email, responding to a text, putting the washing on or doing a quick clean of a studio or a room. Simple tasks that build up, but in essence are simple. I often use this to build up momentum on days where I don’t feel like doing anything. I start with the smallest tasks, then move on to the slightly more tedious, until I am well and truly buried in the satisfaction of completing something. Get as many small wins into your day is possible, even if they seem trivial – because sometimes you need it more than you think.
2. Best Version of Myself
I keep a human locked away in my mind, (I promise this is a metaphor) he’s rather similar to me, just entirely better at everything. He is more accountable, hard-working, brave and at times brazen (he also has a killer moustache) – he is you could say the human I want to be - and while he hasn’t found his way into physical reality yet he is fantastic at pointing out the things he would do that I currently do not.
This usually manifests itself as a question, “how would the best version of myself solve this problem?” or often “ how would the best version of myself use this time?” - he is rather talented at lacing guilt. More often than not that’s the impetus I need to make the right choice in that moment. I find this to be a powerful way to drive myself along through difficult habits, or into activities I know I don’t “want” to do, but definitely need to.
I use this not only when trying to find a reason to get out of bed - but for more grandiose moments too, navigating difficult life choices or relationship drama. There is a best version of each of us, we can always strive to be that person, in the small moments just as often as the big.
3. Slow & Consciously
I’ve often found it’s better to approach tasks with a singular level of focus. consciously enacting every motion. I am naturally quite an adrenalised thinker; I’ll be physically doing one thing but my mind is completely diving through some metaphysical issue I’ve constructed involving the moral quantity of a bush beside a hedgerow. The amount of times the toaster has ended up in the washing machine or the bread somewhere next to Shakespeare on the bookshelf is a sad and confusing testament to that fact. Being attentive in that slow and meditative way snaps me back into reality. I’ve spoken about this one a lot before, as much as I do value that daydreaming imaginative part of me – I recognise the importance to exist in the empirical level of reality around us. Without recognising what I’m doing I’m not getting the best out of my day, I’m not allowing myself to do my best work and missing so many of those little details that I obsess over. I will admit I often find this a struggle though – In action this often means I’ll be talking myself through what I’m doing (which I fully understand is odd…) but it does give me the groundedness to proceed with a higher level of focus - meaning I get more of what I want to do, done.
4. Planning
I have not until recently been someone that spent a whole lot of time planning and organising. In fact I used to relish in the spontaneous way I could just spend my days. Having taking on painting and other creative practices full time now, it’s required me to sit down and methodically work through each day.
My average day looks like;
8am - Coffee & Breakfast
9am - Studio (or Plein Air)
12pm - Lunch
1pm - Studio (or Admin & Packing)
4pm - I finish up for the day. My late afternoons and evenings I keep for any type of personal pursuits, community commitments or just spending time with people I like.
This is a very general template, my life is HECTIC and there are always things that come in and ask me to change and require time and it’s those things I think we should tend to say yes to. As a general rule I think we should pack as much into life as we possibly can, there is ALWAYS a way to make time.
These are just a few of the methods I use to keep my brain somewhat operational throughout the day. I know it’s been awhile since I’ve shared this kind of writing, but I was getting a lot of questions recently about this and it’s been something I am very conscious about and always looking to improve and adapt. I’m wishing you all the best.
L.
