I just watched this video about mindset and it pique my interest as I have been feeling overwhelmed recently.
We can change our mindset
A brief explanation about the video is that, in general, humans can have 3 types of mindsets: cynical, escapist, and perfectionist. Each of them is related to curiosity and ambition.
- Cynical mindset: low curiosity & low ambition
- Escapist mindset: high curiosity & low ambition
- Perfectionist mindset: high ambition & low curiosity
Out of those 3—even though she mentioned that our mindset can and will change based on situation, so it’s pretty dynamic—I believe I was stuck in the perfectionist mindset for so long. The good news is we can change it.
The experimental mindset
And here’s the fourth and most ideal mindset: one where curiosity and ambition are high, which allows us to be open to uncertainty, to grow, and to learn.
And this is what really hits me: with an experimental mindset, when we don’t understand something, it doesn’t create fear but it creates curiosity instead.
Back in November, when I decided to reactivate my blog, I was in that mindset. I didn’t fear what others think about my writing, topics, or anything. I just.. wanted to do it. But I know, for the past few weeks when I didn’t have anything posted here, I was afraid that what I write is not good enough (idk really for who? haha – to think about it, my mind is so silly) and many other stuff that I fear about for no specific reasons.
Afraid of failures
I think being afraid of failures and being a perfectionist are a match made in heaven, no? But I’m not proud of that. I want to live my life with curiosity, where I see failures as data points and am open to making mistakes.
Sometimes, I don’t have a plan for life (even on the smallest scale), which is really scary for me. But to live an experimental life, I must deal with uncertainty—or even befriend it.
This type of mindset is rooted in me, and most of the time, I avoid trying things just because I don’t want to fail. This is such an irony because I usually acclaim myself as someone who is open to new things.
Designing Experiment: Committing to Curiosity
Like any good communicator, there must be a call to action. This is where I decided to make my own experiments in my life. I want to commit to curiosity and not fear.
It’s important to note that while experimenting, you’re not supposed to assume whether it’s going to work or not. I suppose it will make life more fun and intentional, as I won’t be autopiloting if I have experiments to run!
My First Experiment
I loveeee walking and just last week, I bought this book on ‘How to Walk’ as an act of mindfulness. Despite the fact that I enjoy walking, I don’t do it regularly – only when I am out mostly on the weekends. So my first experiment will be: I’m going for a walk for 20 minutes, for a week.
Ok, I will be back after a week and share my progress on my walking experiment.
*a little note on why the feature image is a picture of a cat: I like approaching cats on the street and that’s definitely an experiment! I don’t know how they’ll react but I always do it anyway. That’s the spirit, Vero! hahaha
VERONICAKUDO 
Leave a comment