Many shampoo bottles say to lather, rinse, and repeat. It's rather poetic. First of all people who buy shampoo usually know what to do with it. Secondly - and more importantly - it doesn't tell you when to stop. Fortunately, most of us intuitively know once or twice is good enough. But, the instructions would have us keep going in an endless loop. If we followed the instructions our hair would be really clean but nothing else would get done.
We are not necessarily as intuitive in our day-to-day lives however. Many of our activities - in fact many of the years of our lives - are “rinse and repeat”. We get out of bed in the morning and do the same thing today that we did yesterday. We will probably do the same again tomorrow. It's not that our moment to moment activity is exactly the same-for example we might have a cheeseburger today instead of a turkey sandwich. But, to some extent our lives can become monotonous and mundane.
In the movie, "The Hunt for Red October", the Russian submarine Admiral played by Sean Connery maneuvers his sub in a different way every half-hour as an evasive tactic. He would turn left or right unexpectedly to keep possible attackers off track. I think it's also a good concept for us to consider having in our lives as well. It's not to keep others out of sync with us; it's to break the spell of our monotonous routines.
Many people and clients who I speak with report a higher quality of life and a more balanced attitude if they find the ability to break the monotony in their lives. They are sometimes spontaneous in their decision making, deciding on a Friday afternoon to take a mini vacation or to do something out of the ordinary like going square dancing that night. (Okay... I know most of you don't square dance. That's my point!) In the middle of their workday they may choose to take the rest of the day off and go play with their kids, go to the beach, or do something kind and unexpected for somebody else (random act of kindness).
Obviously this spontaneity doesn't fix problems. It simply helps us to counterbalance an otherwise rinse and repeat lifestyle. How are you on spontaneity? Do you ever act out of impulse? (I am not speaking of impulsive spending or other possibly self-harmful habits). Do you ever have fun? Spontaneous impulsive fun…?
So many of us get locked up in our day-to-day activities, feeling as though we "have to" do the things that we do. I will remind you that everything you do after you put your feet on the floor in the morning is a choice. You have the ability to change the direction of your day, or the direction of your week, or the direction of your life. For most of us doing the same thing day after day not only becomes monotonous and boring, but stifles our life experience.
Do you have a rinse and repeat lifestyle? Change it up some. Entertain your fantasies! Pull a “crazy Ivan” by doing something unexpected! If you rinse and repeat today, don't do it tomorrow! Get a little crazy and creative. Pull out your old saxophone and play for the neighbors, plan a quick get-together at your place for Friday evening, or go and eat Polynesian food at a restaurant three towns away. Fast for a day, style your hair a differently, or do some extra work on Saturday instead of golf. Just break your routine and feel the difference! Adding chaos sometimes actually helps.
Eugene D. “Chip” Weiner The Neighborhood Shrink www.neighborhoodshrink.com
Chip’s practice has a no-nonsense, solution focused approach to counseling therapy and coaching for anyone who needs help.
He offers several Mental Health Professional seminars, including self care for professionals, technology for private practice, and Initial Assessment Review.
He also offers a full compliment of corporate training including Stress Management, Giving Great Customer Service, and Dealing With Difficult People.
Have A Comment or Question for The Neighborhood Shrink?
Do you have a question, comment, or thought for The Neighborhood Shrink? Go for it!
Disclaimer from behappy101.com: The thoughts and opinions expressed by The Neighborhood Shrink (Eugene D. "Chip" Weiner) are not necessarily those of Jimmy DeMesa, M.D., or BeHappy101.com. Jimmy edits these "notes" only for wording and grammar and, therefore, BeHappy101.com is not responsible for the content in these thoughts.
