Written by: Hollis Citron, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The streets are packed yet eerily quiet. Looking down at their phone and lost in a consistent motion of scroll double tap scroll on Instagram, there is the occasional baritone groan in the background, it is just another day. Without thinking twice, almost at the destination, they lift up their head and see a band of half-humans with arms extended, skin peeling, clothes ripped, and a cacophony of groans…
At this point during the movie, you would be jumping off your couch screaming, “Run the other way,” but they are too busy obsessing and being jealous of their friends' vacation photos that they are seeing on Instagram. Which one is the zombie?
As the grandparents might say, “ Notice how we can all be in a room, and we are not talking, everyone is on a device.” There are excuses that might sound like this, “I am checking my emails, making a post for my business, snap chatting, dming, face timing with my friends, or playing a game” sound familiar?
Let’s explore releasing our zombie tendencies and embracing life. Actually noticing our surroundings, saying thank you to the person that ran ahead to hold the door for us, hearing the birds singing, and communicating with each other at various pitches. We get to choose to be an active participant that is willing to be more adventurous, curious and willing to make mistakes while laughing along the way.
Some zombie fun facts for your perusal:
They moan to alert others about the presence of food
Their only mission is to feed
They are afraid of fire and water
They know not to eat each other
Here are some possible modern day walking dead scenarios that can occur in our day to day and see if this resonates:
Scene 1: Chicken without a head
People running around from place to place on their cell phones. Eyes are glazed with sensory overload. Working, eating, drinking too much as an escape, going to sleep, and waking up to do the same thing. The brain is about to explode with so much busyness, but it is not the good kind of exploding.
Scene 2: Auto-Pilot
People are not in a rush to do much. Stuck in the same job, lazing around, not really motivated without any real goals. When asked how they are doing, the response goes something like, “ Same thing, different day.” The motivation level is not quite there. Their brain is literally shriveling.
Scene 3: Being led aimlessly
They are hanging out with people that seem so cool, fun, carefree, and they think that they are real friends. They think these people have their back and are genuine, helping them to expand as a person. But in reality, they are talking behind their back and are not real friends.
Zombies - not zombies we could go back and forth all day but in the end, what it boils down to is that many are not truly alive.
Possible side effects in day to day life:
Forgetting to do those activities, hobbies, and interests that we really enjoy
Denying ourselves the connections. You know, the ones that bring a smile to our face, give us the flutter in our stomach, and make us walk with energy in our step.
We do not take the class that really interests us and actually expands our thinking.
We do not join the meetup with like-minded people because we are too busy.
We get caught up in thinking and are scared we will make a mess or not be good at something, so just don’t even try.
So simply put, how can we wake up, breathe deep breaths, and truly live, EXPLORE possibilities, EXPRESS ourselves and EXPAND our thinking...
Just do that thing that you have been wanting to do. Ex: take that belly dancing class you have been wanting to take. It does not have to be a huge leap from nothing to everything that is too confusing, take baby steps. Life is too short to sit around and wait for something to happen, you need to give yourself permission to take action.
Connect with people that stretch you. They challenge you in a good way. They lift you up and inspire you to try new things. They make you smile and actually laugh, like a real belly laugh that hurts in the best possible way.
Embrace change. Don’t let the past dictate who you are. Be an active participant in your interests, and don’t be the one on your deathbed with regrets.
Some suggestions of creative outlets:
Walking in nature
Cooking,
Singing,
Dancing,
Writing
Yoga/Meditation
Parenting
Sports
Public speaking
Birthing that business that you always wanted to create
Anything where we can express ourselves
Free yourself, You courageous creature that can only save yourself…
I believe in you!
Creatively yours,
Hollis
Hollis Citron, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Hollis Citron is on a mission to make creativity accessible to everyone by exposing new possibilities. She has spent nearly 30 years of my life helping students of all ages and in all settings to access their creative expression. I Am Creative & Express Yourself Publishing was born from this passion to help people build their confidence to recognize, encourage and express the innate expression they are born with.
Hollis does this through experiential kits, creativity coaching, her podcast: Creative Conversations with Hollis Citron & creating multi-author books to create community and safe space for people to share their stories to empower themselves and the world.
Creativity goes beyond a pencil & a paintbrush! It is your voice, your expression, and everyone has one.
