Change in Perspective Through Non-Reactivity
You may have also come across social media influencers who talk about the power of non-reaction. Non-reaction sounds harsh. It is often equated with indifference. With ignoring and sweeping things under the rug. In this context, however, it does not refer to that. Usually, the term is associated with the pursuit of a positive outlook on life. The idea is to reduce heavy, anxious, and depressing emotions by cutting off their flow. I have also written an article about the topic earlier (you can read it here). This time I want to delve into the topic from a different perspective.
Controlling Emotional Reaction
As with most people, life sometimes includes burdensome stress factors. One particular topic has been strongly on my mind in recent weeks. You know the kind — a bothersome topic that comes to mind among the first things in the morning and is there at the very end of the day. The matter itself is usually active and relevant in some way. The emotional reaction, on the other hand, is not. So I have consciously practiced saying to the stress reaction that this does not serve its purpose. Instead of reacting to the stress and following countless thought paths, I let the stress be. I don't discard the issue itself — I discard the unpleasant feeling.
Wanting the Best
When the emotional reaction has calmed, I focus for a moment on something else. Something pleasant that increases my sense of gratitude. Light emotions. In this state of mind, I can, if I want, choose to do something about the topic. If I don't yet know how to solve the issue, I trust the solution will come in time. After all, I have solved all the challenges in my life so far.
Change Becomes Visible
So I have started refining this approach also in social interactions. What other options are left, after all, when you yourself have changed? You may have noticed that previous topics of conversation no longer appeal to you or that you crave entirely new kinds of hobbies or other similar changes. Still, we love the people and connections that have been part of our lives so far. Their perspectives or ways of acting may not necessarily develop at the same pace as ours. Or they may evolve in a completely different direction. So what can we offer them instead of a direct (counter)reaction? A moment of non-reaction. A change in our perspective in their eyes and acting based on that.
Reactions Have Power Just Like Our Words
As I wrote last week, there is magic in words, as there is in our minds. We have all the power to choose what we feed in our minds. We have the power to choose where we put our capacity. The most important thing is to stay honest with yourself. Remember who you are and who you want to be. So ask yourself: Who are you? Do you want to react to the matter as you usually do, or do you long for something else? What is on the other side, if you change your perspective? In what way do you make yourself flourish?
P.S. I have received private comments and questions on social media. All are welcome. I’ll respond as best I can. My intention is to challenge, and it's wonderful to hear how many have accepted the flourishing challenge. So let’s flourish together 💖