The Quarantine Chronicles: Day 23

Hello, Dear One.

So glad you are here.

I don't know if you have also felt this, during the last couple of months of this Quarantine experience, but focusing has been a bit...challenging.

There is actually a scientific reason for this, which definitely makes me feel better knowing I can blame my inability to focus on something specific (for at least the last few weeks lol).

Apparently, there is this thing called hypervigilance. Dr. Nadine Harris, the surgeon general of California, says that hyper-vigilance is a state of increased alertness - when people become hyper alert to perceived danger.

When hypervigilance occurs there are actually parts of our brains that turn off - specifically, the part of our brains that are responsible for long term planning and goal setting. So if you have been feeling it really difficult to focus or 'accomplish' things during the last couple of months, do not beat yourself up about it. You are not alone. And there is scientific research to back that up.

The best way to treat hypervigilance is through practicing connection to others in meaningful ways, and we have been incorporating lots of different creative prompts that have hopefully facilitated some powerful connections for you in the last 22 days, and hopefully also can act as a template and empower you to continue to find meaning and connection in the coming weeks.

I know for me, personally, there has been an ebb and flow of emotion and sense of stability amidst the constant news and media entourage.

Some days are definitely better than others, but I have felt that my 'flow' is starting to emerge once again and even amidst the ups and downs, that graph of extremes is starting to even out...a bit.

On the other side of the extreme of hyperviligance is the ability to focus on the future. Studies have revealed that anticipating future consequences enhances individuals' capacity to efficiently adjust their behavior when they encounter obstacles.

One of the only things that is certain is that the future is uncertain. However, the other thing that is fairly certain is that, most likely, lock down will be lasting for at least another 30 days in most parts of the world.

So the good news? At least we know what the next 30 days will look like and we can 'future focus' on that!

Today's creativity prompt is a question for you:

What do you want to do with your next 30 days? Is there something specific you would want to create? Or learn? Or accomplish? How do you want to use this Quarantine time? A lot of us are finding ourselves with more time on our hands so ...if you can summon the courage and strength to focus on imagining what is possible in the next 30 days, dream really big and create some goals to work towards.

Also, food for thought, in light of the fact that "anticipating future consequences" enhances our ability to encounter obstacles with more ease, what if you made a goal for the next 90 days?

Assume that Quarantine will last 90 days and if things change in the meantime, then win win, right?  

I would LOVE to read, hear, see and experience the things you are creating during this time and as a result of some of these creativity prompts! So please feel free to share them personally with me or with the Artists Rising Community!

There is so much love for you here,

JennyRebecca

P.S. Invite a friend to get in on these Quarantine Chronicles Prompts! Do them together and create an even larger support connection as you are going through this time. And if you haven't joined the private Facebook Group yet, do it! Let's connect to each other in as many ways as we can!...Maybe that will be the biggest change we create as a result of this entire global situation? This is my prayer anyhow. Xxo