We interrupt this pattern…
Pattern interruption is a powerful tool. It’s not just for the gray doldrums between winter and spring either. It can be helpful anytime. A change of scenery, a change in conversation, laughing when you haven’t done so for quite some time, an unexpected visit, a new yogurt, a ringing phone, a surprise ending to a book, anything that bumps you out of your current circumstances can create a pattern interruption. A day trip to: an art museum, high tea, a goat farm, a studio where someone blows glass or make things out of metal can change your perspective by bringing all that is back in your regular life into clearer focus. Going some place new that doesn’t have the fresh local food or craft beer you are used to can also invite you to appreciate what you’ve been taking for granted.
There’s something about change that gives us permission to be irreverent and playful. To find joy and feel gratitude. We get to be who we are instead of who others expect us to be because the pattern interruption knocks us out of our autopilot flow. Don’t get me wrong, autopilot can be a good thing. I can hit the down arrow, then the delete key, and finally the return and shift keys simultaneously to change line after line seamlessly from double-spaced to single-spaced. I find a rhythm and it just happens…automatically. But living life that way can get pretty stale. Most of us have too much to do. Some of what we do isn’t what we want to do. Some of that is necessary but usually some of it could be kicked to the curb. It’s difficult to see that if you’re usually set to autopilot.
Interrupting our patterns clears out our heads and airs our emotions. They smell better once they’ve been aired, even to our own noses. Don’t underestimate small pattern interruptions. It doesn’t have to be a vacation at the beach. Even ten minutes sitting in the sun spent doing nothing except being completely unavailable for phone calls or texts resets us. Slow down. Just for a bit. Make it a habit. Not an automatic one but rather an organic as-you-need-it one. It might change everything.
Cinse Bonino
2023
