Opposite Day
Do something different
When you were a kid did you ever play “opposite day”?
I’ll explain, just hold on…
This was one of my favorite annoying pranks I loved as a kid. I’d take whatever the adults told me to do and I’d do the opposite thing.
When they tried to correct me I’d let them know “It’s opposite day!” as I walked backwards out of the room with my backpack on my chest.
It turns out this is still a great way to break free from a creative rut as an adult, and this is what led me to making this account which I’ll return to in a sec.
How it works is, if you’re feeling stuck, try to intentionally flip your routine on its head for a few days.
Obviously the easiest way to do this is if you have the luxury of going on vacation, but even if you can’t do that, you can make a point of intentionally avoiding what you would normally do and instead choosing to spend your time and energy doing little activities you’re less comfortable with.
It starts with little simple things, like going to a different coffee shop or changing your commute route slightly, and then add in something that challenges you a bit more to break up deep habits:
Constantly seeking social validation? Go for a long walk alone without your phone every morning for a week.
Workaholic? Call in sick and realize the world doesn’t stop spinning.
Hiding in your shell? Start a conversation with a stranger every day for a week.
I’ve found this tiny shift alone is often enough to open up space for some new ideas or ways of thinking about your situation or the parts of your identity that feel stale.
Where I’m going with this is, I’ve made some of my most important decisions during opposite weeks… and I’ve learned that sometimes an opposite day is the start of an opposite life.
So, if you’re feeling stuck or unhappy, give it a shot and see if anything opens up for you.
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