I make space in my week to be bored, and where there are no options for short-term distractions that will zombify me (like videogames or YouTube). I usually find that ideas come to me then that I want that take a bit more work but will be more satisfying, like learning a song on the guitar or reading a book or doing something with a friend.
Chatting with friends who are alive and wanting things is another way I notice such things in myself, usually I catch some excitement from them as I’m empathizing with them.
I wrote the above before reading Anna’s comment to see how our answers differed; seems like our number 1 recommendation is the same!
Cleaning things out also works for me, I did that yesterday and it helped me believe in my ability to make my world better.
I also concur with the grieving one, but I never know how to communicate it. When I try, I come up with sentences like “Now vividly imagine failing to get the thing you want. Feel all the pain and sorrow and nausea associated with it. Great, now go get it!” but that doesn’t seem to communicate why it helps and reads to me like unhelpful advice.
I make space in my week to be bored, and where there are no options for short-term distractions that will zombify me (like videogames or YouTube). I usually find that ideas come to me then that I want that take a bit more work but will be more satisfying, like learning a song on the guitar or reading a book or doing something with a friend.
Chatting with friends who are alive and wanting things is another way I notice such things in myself, usually I catch some excitement from them as I’m empathizing with them.
I wrote the above before reading Anna’s comment to see how our answers differed; seems like our number 1 recommendation is the same!
Cleaning things out also works for me, I did that yesterday and it helped me believe in my ability to make my world better.
I also concur with the grieving one, but I never know how to communicate it. When I try, I come up with sentences like “Now vividly imagine failing to get the thing you want. Feel all the pain and sorrow and nausea associated with it. Great, now go get it!” but that doesn’t seem to communicate why it helps and reads to me like unhelpful advice.