Easy Tools for Getting Through Lockdown lll As An Overthinking Creative

I’ve recently observed that human responses to Lockdown lll are three-fold.

1.   You’re excited for the downtime

2.   You’re anxious and fearful due to feelings of isolation and/or lacking purpose

3.   You resolve to simple “get through it.”

Whichever one applies to you right now, here are my three quick strategies for gracefully getting through Lockdown lll in 2021.

1.   Remember How You Coped Last Time

Take some quiet time to sit and consider:

a)  What worked?

b)  What didn't work?

c)   What could be different this time?

Don’t forget to be self-kind because unfortunately we knew less last time but fortunately we have the power of hindsight right now.

2.   Think Coping Thoughts

Take time to consider what you mostly think about during this lockdown?

As humans, we experience what’s called negative bias which means we focus mostly on the bad as our brain scans for imminent threats and looks for ways to protect us.

It’s important to remember that this is neither good nor bad. It just is and we can’t help it!

So to override this inherent protective mechanism, can you assess those thoughts that make you feel unhappy as well as negative in your approach to life right now?

If so, challenge yourself about whether you actually want to feel like this.

If you don’t, make every effort to shift it by creating a coping thought like “I will get through this" or “I trust what I know". You could also make up your own phrase that rings true to how you wish to feel in the moment.

Observe the different thoughts you feel afterwards and repeat this exercise as often as need when you encounter negative thoughts.

By writing down your coping thoughts and consistently repeating them, you’ll replace habitual negative thinking patterns over time with positive new ones.

3.   Do Something You Love

There'll be something you loved doing pre-lockdown that can also be done throughout lockdown with ease.

For me, it's definitely cooking or baking.

What might it be for you?

You'll feel and know what it is because you'll feel alive doing it and for some time after.

Is it something that could be turned into an experience too rather than just an activity? For example, adding music, audio or TV, candles, lights or incense.

Observe each moment by being mindful so that you become aware of how your body responds to every movement you make - in the moment.

By implementing these three quick and accessible tools, you’ll build mental resilience for cultivating inner power and confidence.

As a creative, these inner resources will gracefully support your natural tendency to over-analyse the many different angles within everyday situations. So you’ll move further away from overthinking and glide closer towards sourcing solutions.

This is the perfect antidote and positive outlook needed right now to support you whilst navigating through Lockdown lll.

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