When the mind turns a blank canvas
The mind is what drives us to act. But if the mind itself cannot think what is to be done, then it becomes challenging to tackle the ennui that sets in.
Usually, the mind is occupied with a plethora of thoughts striking it every second, but there are times, when we feel as if our mind has become a blank canvas. It lies still, in a static state of silence. Many thoughts try to pervade the glass door of the mind but they have to return empty-handed. The canvas remains blank, waiting for the right stroke to colour it.
Why does that happen? Have you ever felt this way? There
could be many reasons that act as contributory factors to such a situation. One might get attuned to the usual rigmarole that there is hardly any time left to explore something new. The mind doesn’t get the signals to do so. It just remains engrossed in fulfilling the basic needs and does not work harder to innovate. Creativity goes missing.
“Sometimes, anxiety can cause the mind to go blank or slow down the process of thinking. Or external happenings which have shaken the mind to the core, may affect the power of thoughts to grow in a productive manner,” says a friend who has experienced this state of mind. She says, “The best way to come out of this state is to remain calm and allow some space for new thoughts.”
Diverting the attention of the mind towards something different can also work in such situations. Or just getting up from where you are and taking a stroll in the woods might work wonders. Or doing something which makes you feel happy is a good option too.
When writers suffer from writer’s block,it is again due to lack of inspiration or fresh ideas crossing their minds. Thoughts do occur, but don’t reach the stage of being penned down. They get lost in the eerie air of the empty space in the mind. That’s why often we have seen people searching in seclusion for that sparkling idea, which otherwise wouldn’t reach fruition.
Inspiration can be found anywhere around us, if only we notice. We have to shake the status quo to look at things from a different perspective and evolve. The creative side of the mind needs to be woken up. A change of place or a change in any form can also facilitate brightening up our ideas.
On the contrary, sometimes we intentionally seek the silence of the mind, to stay away from the outer noise. When it is too overwhelming to absorb all what is going on around us, we want solace. Solace from the hustle-bustle and from our own clutter of thoughts. There are times when we want to wipe out the splashes of colours from the canvas and turn it into a blank one. We can begin afresh and paint a new picture with new thoughts.
Let’s not be afraid of the blank canvas, rather give food for thoughts to our mind.
vepreeti@gmail.com n The writer is a Chandigarh-based communication professional
WE HAVE TO SHAKE THE STATUS QUO TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND EVOLVE