What-Ifs? - A Preamble

It is time to dream and think out of the box. It is about expanding our life and choosing paths with intention, purpose, and joy. It is about having fun with deliberate mind loops, finding new ladders, and doing a ‘refresh’ with our thoughts. It is about being a little silly. Finally, it is about learning to tell ourselves different stories.

Spring seems slow to come. We have had a lot of clouds, and it is still relatively cold. In addition, a Nor’Easter visited yesterday, although it was pretty tame where I live. And today, I woke up to a fresh snowfall that covered everything with a thick layer of white. Le Sigh!

I know spring is here, though, because there are many more birds - despite snow covering the ground. My app Merlin is picking up more birdsong. And I can hear Percival, the pheasant, starting to squawk nearby - calling for a mate and warning would-be suitors to stay away from his territory and lady.

This is the perfect time to introspect because we are still focused on being indoors. We want to come out of hibernation, but the time is not right now.

To help us expand our minds and refresh our mindsets, we can do ‘What-If?’ dreaming. Journaling, drawing, and brainstorming on paper or with an app are great ways to flesh out ideas.

Julie Hage, in 20 Brilliant ‘What-If’ Journal Prompts for Adults, writes:

“Whether you’re a seasoned journaler or starting, incorporating ‘what if’ journal prompts into your routine is a great idea. ‘What if’ journal writing prompts can jumpstart your goal-setting, explore your creativity, and keep your journaling habit fresh.

This collection of journal prompts—all beginning with ‘what if’—can help you expand your mind by imagining what is possible.

…

What if we started each day with a ‘what if’ question to get our thinking or writing gears turning? What if we used these prompts to explore new ideas, reflect on our goals, or document what’s on our minds?

The possibilities are endless!

These journal prompts can be a fun and helpful way to explore our dreams and desires. Exploration is an essential part of building an intentional life.”

I have included five of her prompts in my list below. Please click on the link above for many more great ideas. Her article is inspiring.

Not the Negative Mind Loops What-Ifs?

Remember that we are not focusing on the fear-filled negative mind loops that start with ‘What-If?’ and then take us down paths of catastrophizing thoughts. Of course, those mind loops - done on purpose - have their place. But there is a better time to do that.

What we want is a kind of guided daydreaming.

What-If? Ladders

We want to examine different aspects of our lives and expand our possibilities. We want to brainstorm ideas to explore the characteristics of what we want, see and create different circumstances for ourselves.

It is a time to break down barriers and our old thinking. It is like clearing away the old residue of winter in our minds to make way for new growth, ideas, and energy. After all, springtime is almost here, with its fresh greenery and growth.

Ideas for What-Ifs?

A quick Google search can bring up many sites with lists of ‘What-If?’ prompts. Here are some that I found:

• What if I took a chance and tried something new? What would it be?

• What if this week, instead of hitting the snooze button in the morning, I got up when the alarm went off and started the day with some quality ‘me time?’ How could that change my day? 

• What if I let go of my fears and embraced change in something I resist?

• What if I lived each day as if it were my last? How would that look?

• What if I pursued my dreams instead of waiting for them to come to me?

• What if we became immortal and didn’t age?

• What if you suddenly came into possession of five million dollars?

• What if the world in my dreams was real?

• What if money really could grow on trees?

• What if I suddenly developed superpowers?

• What if I change myself to look however I want?

• What if magic was real, and I used it every day? How would I use it?

• What if I didn’t have to go to work ever again?

• What if paintings and drawings came to life?

• What if I could go back to school and study anything I wanted?

• What if I could travel but had to visit one location for a whole year? Where would I go and why?

• What if I wrote a wildly successful best-selling novel? What would it be about?

I got these ideas from Julie’s site, “What are some ‘What-If’ story starters?” and “What if?” Journal Prompts by Melissa Donovan.

A podcast was devoted to ‘What-Ifs?’ - “What if...Modern women's musings” by Prachi, Ashley, and Shivanie.

Bring Your Creativity Out To Play

It would be best to follow the flow when doing “What-Ifs?” Remember, it is about expansion and thinking outside the box. It is about generating new thoughts and ideas and creating sparks that could lead to new and exciting adventures.

However, it is also essential not to put stress and strain on yourself during this exercise. Remember, tension slows down the problem-solving and solution-finding parts of our brain.

So aim to be very relaxed and playful when you start to pull out your ‘what-ifs?’. A comfy sitting position, a flowing pencil or pen, colourful markers and lots of paper would be great tools. Or, if you like using your devices and apps to generate ideas, please do so. And, of course, your journal is one of your best friends.

Good music and an adult beverage can relax our brains, so we generate ideas.

Go wild. Be outrageous. Find ways to giggle and be silly with suggestions that come to mind. Then, let your inner critic go to another room and play with the cat.

When you think you have no more ideas to add, learn to sit still and wait for new ideas to bubble up to the surface of your brain. Then, go with the flow of something, hop off that train and go with another train of thought. Generate ideas until there are seemingly no more ideas.

Take Important Time For Yourself

Now that you have exhausted ideas for ‘What-Ifs?’, take a deep breath and walk away. More pictures will come as you prepare dinner, do the dishes, vacuum a room, or take a walk. Add those ideas to your list and flesh them out if need be.

Then, take a bird’s eye view of what you have generated. Is there anything that sparks your interest or causes a few butterflies in your belly? Is there anything you want to explore further? Are there any actions you want to take? Can ideas help you improve what you are doing or working on? Or are there new paths that are starting to appear for you?

This is all about you and your life. How can you live more intentionally and purposely? How can you create more joy? What transitions can you make, and what can you do to ease those transitions? Are you on the lookout for transformation?

The season’s change is a perfect time to do "‘What-Ifs?’. Out with the old, stale air. In with the fresh new vibes and energy to create your best life.

A Challenge For You:

1. Take one area of your life you would like to explore>

2. Generate a HUGE ‘What-Ifs?’ list.

3. Examine it for the treasures it holds.

4. Take action to change things.

5. Celebrate.

6. You are amazing!

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