I am a dreamer. In the US, there is a saying-"Bless your Heart." It's a passive-aggressive phrase that saves the person who says it the discomfort of saying what they mean. It's a phrase that is dismissive, often left as a bookend on a conversation. That is usually the look or sentiment of people when I tell them that I am a dreamer. Most think dreamers are unrealistic, naive, impractical, idealistic, and fragile without a concrete plan. Today, let's begin reframing who dreamers are and how they can significantly impact the world.
What I've learned as a dreamer is that anything is possible if you have the inspiration and a plan to support the creation of your dream. If you are a dreamer, name at least three things that helped you to make your dreams a reality. This can be a person, experience, career, or otherwise, that helped you learn how to bring your vision to life. Take it a step further and write how these things helped you plan so that it is at the top of your mind when creating in life. Refer to these things when you have trouble seeing your dreams in life.
Planning is essential when it pertains to change. There are life changes that you cannot ever prepare for. Still, you can plan for surprises by maintaining your mental health, self-care, or being intentional about having a peaceful life so that you have resources in place to cope with significant unplanned changes. In my last few blogs, I talked about acceptance and understanding. These processes give way to intention and purpose. Planning is mapping out how to bring your intention/purpose to life.
I know, dreamers. Sometimes, the word "planning" sends shivers down your spine. Here are some ways to reframe your relationship with planning and how to consider embracing the planning phase of your creativity:
Be Flexible: Sometimes, we hold onto our dreams too tightly when it should be the invitation to explore and expand. Take the cover picture of this blog. Especially when your dream involves other people and animals, and perhaps the unraveling of a previous concept for a new one to form, look at it as an opportunity to open your perception. I had the idea to take a picture of Xola and me on our walk this morning, but Xola was distracted, and other dogs and people changed the image I had in my head. Never lose sight of the dream but leave space for the magic that happens when bringing your creativity to life.
Activate Your Brain: Writing and planning out your dream or listing key aspects on paper activates your brain in the following ways:
Writing engages the Reticular Activating System (RAS): The reticular activating system is a system of neurons that connects the spinal cord and the brain. The RAS is a complex brain system that coordinates functions necessary for survival. Writing your dream down helps your brain connect and match opportunities, experiences, and resources that would make your dream successful.
Writing engages the prefrontal cortex, responsible for organizing, planning, decision-making, and setting goals. It is the tool that connects dreams to practicality.
Writing strengthens, regenerates, and creates neural pathways. Creating helps expand your brain. You exercise your brain when you encourage it to find ways to bring your dream to life, especially when you have to think differently compared to the past.
Improve your Mental Health: Planning your dream also has benefits. It reduces anxiety and stress, improves motivation, increases confidence, and provides a sense of control over something. In essence, it helps you take the lead on your dream, which is powerful by itself.
If you are a dreamer, you are also a planner, but you must find ways to align planning with your identity. Visualization, vision boards, mind maps, research, and communicating with the supportive people in your life are pathways to turning something you can see and feel. Keep Going!
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