I go to family dinners often. I remember lots from my childhood, too. My grandma always has her nails painted red, it’s her favorite color. At one of these dinners I told her that I’ll still paint my nails bright blue when I am a grandma like her. She told me she’s not sure I will.
I wonder what it means to be in touch with a childlike version of yourself. I strive to be in awe. But I dissociate often, I’m unsure if this is a self afflicted experience that is subconsciously executed or one that relates more to my genetics.
Kid Stories
In an effort to practice and engage with a childlike sense of awe and wonder, I collect stories. I like stories more than most things. I am most present when I am consuming stories, and connecting with the people who tell them.
When I was younger, and I was bored, I would ask people to tell them to me. I was especially interested in stories from people’s pasts. I call them kid stories.
The first I remember is one my dad told of a grumpy old man that lived in his childhood neighborhood. My dad and his friend were playing “army” in this man’s yard—high stakes. And when the man came out into the yard, they had just enough time to jump into the bushes. Turns out he was doing yard work and they were stuck there for hours.
I’m sure it wasn’t hours.
I remember when the days felt long like this, though. I wonder if I’ll view this time of my life with a skewed lens as well. I imagine the perception I have of my days will continue to shrink. That is if I don’t make time for pause.
Pressing Pause
Pause can be mental or physical. For me, it can manifest as boredom. This word does not have a positive connotation but, I’ve decided, it is a strange combination of nihilism and wonder. I cannot be creative without experiencing it.
It turns out, I am not the only one that feels this way. When a person is bored, their mind enters a neurological state called the default mode network. This network is activated while “mind-wandering and day-dreaming, [and during] nostalgic reverie.”[1]
This network is also referred to as the imagination network, and should be tapped into when “you want to loosen your associations, allow your mind to roam free, imagine new possibilities, and silence the inner critic.” [2]
Your Turn
So, how might you enhance your boredom? I’ve put together a few exercises for you to practice while in or while entering this headspace:
- Stare at a wall for five minutes and see if your mind comes up with pretty pictures.
- Ask friends and colleagues weird questions.
- Listen to the same song on repeat for hours, and reflect about time warps.
- Think of two very unalike things, and challenge yourself to identify their likeness.
- Go on a walk and don’t stop until you find one of those cute free libraries.
- Reflect on the meanings of similar, but different words, i.e., wonder vs. wander.
- Paint your nails electric blue.
Your Turn
So, how might you enhance your boredom? I’ve put together a few exercises for you to practice while in or while entering this headspace:
- Stare at a wall for five minutes and see if your mind comes up with pretty pictures.
- Ask friends and colleagues weird questions.
- Listen to the same song on repeat for hours, and reflect about time warps.
- Think of two very unalike things, and challenge yourself to identify their likeness.
- Go on a walk and don’t stop until you find one of those cute free libraries.
- Reflect on the meanings of similar, but different words, i.e., wonder vs. wander.
- Paint your nails electric blue.
