Let me take you on a journey of self-discovery. Together, we’ll explore ways to foster a mindset that embraces creativity for life.
Think of me as your personal trainer for getting your creative mojo back on track.
Alrighty then, as any personal trainer worth their cross-training sneakers will tell you, nobody is watching you. People are totally focused on their own gym-induced existential suffering. And most importantly, you can’t control what others think anyway.
Pro Tip 6:
Nobody cares. Go ahead anyway.
This is the sixth post in a 6-part series, and today we’re circling back to the beginning. Namely, how living creatively requires an ongoing commitment to pay attention to how you wanna feel.
Our subject is about changing the worry channel. I’ll share why redirecting your attention from worry to feel-good thoughts and then taking action are sure-fire ways to reclaim your life.
I’m pulling ideas from my Worry Dolls Play Time worksheets. You can find out more about my workshop at these links:
CLICK HERE to explore Worry Dolls Play Time (https://twinkiwinki.com/products/worry-dolls-play-time-online-workshop)
Alex Mitchell Sparked By Art VIDEO: Worry Dolls Play Time
CLICK HERE to check out my video: https://youtu.be/5Fzxa1j9bUU
In my creativity workshops, I love combining playful art-making with powerful mindset ideas. And here’s the thing: I want to give everyone permission to play in the easiest possible way.
Because your creativity matters.
• One insightful moment of creative play can dissolve years of resistance, giving you newfound energy
• The fun you have with your creative side spills over into all parts of your life
• Igniting your creative spark gives you fresh eyes to try new things and make meaningful changes
Here we go!
Part 1. Thinking for the way you want to feel.
Think about all the times you’ve had a ridiculous song stuck in your head. It’s pretty darn annoying, don't ya know. And the more you try not to think about it, the louder it gets.
Pushing against your thoughts never works.
But you can substitute the stupid song for a fun song. Yep, you can start humming your favorite tune, and before you know it, that stupid song has been replaced.
You can do the same thing with your worries.
You can replace a feel-bad thought with a feel-good thought. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to change the worry channel in your head.
You can’t erase thoughts, but you can replace them.
If you wanna feel good, you need to practice focusing your attention on what feels good.
Part 2. Changing the worry channel.
When worry takes over, it’s like being stuck on the same mental channel. You know the one, where the same anxious tunes play on repeat in your head. So what can we do instead of worrying?
We can learn to catch ourselves and then lovingly redirect.
Action trumps overthinking every time.
Step 1. Catch yourself
• Notice if you’re worrying about something you can actually do something about. If there’s a next step, take it. Ask for help. Move one inch closer.
• If it’s something you can’t control, admit that worrying won’t change a thing. Then shift your attention elsewhere.
Step 2. Distract yourself
Find one thing you can do right now that delights you. And do it asap! What you want is to redirect your attention to what’s happening outside of your head. Because redirecting your energy toward something tangible changes the frequency of your thoughts.
Play:
• Play with your pet
• Dance around the house
• Sing your favorite song in the shower
• Read your favorite poem out loud
• Watch a movie you love
Feel grateful:
• Write in your gratitude journal
• Send a kind note or voice message
• Help someone with something small
• Invite a friend for tea or a walk
• Mess around in a sketchbook with your art supplies
Declutter:
• Clear out a drawer or shelf
• Donate clothes that no longer fit
• Toss pens that don’t write
• Recycle old papers or magazines
• Clear the clutter on your desktop
Each of these small actions is a form of creative redirection. You’re reclaiming your focus, your space, and your energy. Yay!
To stop overthinking, we want to turn worry into motion.
Part 3. Why do we focus on what we don’t want?
The reason we worry in the first place is that we think we’re doing something helpful. Worry gives us the illusion of control.
“Worrying is praying for stuff you don’t want.”
- Jen Sincero
When we don’t know what to do, we think about it endlessly. But most of the time, we’re thinking about things that are totally outside our control.
We can’t change what’s already happened.
We can’t control what hasn’t happened yet.
So why do we try to control the uncontrollable? It’s what our minds do by default. It’s called being human.
The more we practice replacing those thoughts, the more we train our minds to return to the present moment. Here and now is the only place creativity can actually live.
Worry is the mind’s way of staying busy when we feel powerless.
Conclusion: Reclaim your life.
Changing the worry channel isn’t about ignoring reality; it’s about choosing where your focus flows.
And when you focus your attention on what you want more of, even the smallest actions become acts of creative redirection.
You can start by doing one thing that delights you, like humming a song, stretching, or sending a note.
The more you practice, the easier it becomes to tune back into joy, peace, and possibility.
Try this:
Your goal is to redirect your attention to what’s happening outside of your head.
1. Catch yourself by noticing when you start spiraling into worry.
2. Distract yourself by doing one thing that delights you. And do it asap! Notice how your energy moves.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
• Dance around the house
• Sing your favorite song in the shower
• Read your favorite poem out loud
• Watch a movie you love
• Write in your gratitude journal
• Help someone with something small
• Invite a friend for tea or a walk
• Mess around in a sketchbook with your art supplies
• Declutter a drawer or shelf
• Clear the clutter on your desktop
That tiny shift of attention is powerful. It’s creative. It’s you, directing the energy of your mind toward something that feels alive and possible.
If you’d like guidance to play more and worry less, I’d love to help.
My online creativity courses can help you reclaim your life so your creativity can breathe, grow, and lead you where you most want to go. CLICK HERE to explore Worry Dolls Play Time: A Guided Mini Workshop For Letting Go And Worrying Less (https://twinkiwinki.com/products/worry-dolls-play-time-online-workshop)
More for you:
1. Get on my mailing list and grab the free Permission To Play Training:
CLICK HERE to learn more and get Permission To Play!
This is a short, fun training (less than an hour!) where I'll guide you through my own 6-step framework for getting my butt unstuck through play.
Think of me as your personal trainer for getting your creative mojo back on track.
In this training, you'll be scribbling, doodling, making marks, and having fun with your art supplies. No fancy skills required. Just you, some markers or crayons, and a willingness to play.
What you'll take away:
• The satisfaction of giving yourself the gift of spending time on yourself
• The joy of having fun with your creative side
• A simple framework you can use anytime you need to jumpstart your momentum
2. Color along with me:
If you’re feeling inspired, I’ve got a video where you can color along as I chat about these ideas. I even created a PDF with 8 coloring pages you can download and print for this purpose!
Alex Mitchell Creativity For Life VIDEO: Why Do We Focus on What We Don’t Want?
CLICK HERE to check out my video: https://youtu.be/nqDKHW_Jjlw
Download the Twinki-Winki Coloring Pages
CLICK HERE for the PDF: https://twinkiwinki.com/blogs/twinki-winki-headquarters/give-yourself-a-creativity-reset-6-ways-coloring-mandalas-helps-you-get-your-sparkle-back