Leave the Machines for Later
Move First, Think Later
Dance First, Think Later
Play First, Think Later
These are some sayings that I say to myself if I find I'm over-ruminating, over-thinking things, or feeling stuck or dull in some way.
Movement is medicine, and when appropriately dosed it can shift my mind and body state like a good night's sleep when I am tired, or a good meal when I am hungry, or a good bout of play when I am taking things too seriously.
Ideas flow better, and I have better ideas, once my body has moved:
My thoughts become clearer, and topics of inquiry emerge from my experience as a mover. I know what questions to ask, and those questions propel what I do. They emerge naturally.
Things that I thought mattered don't matter as much (or at all sometimes!) after I have moved my body. I find myself becoming more curious and open to the connections between things. It is truly amazing the shift in perspective that a movement experience can bring to our entire being.
Now, here is another great saying...
Post and Move.
This is a great adage that incorporates movement on the other side of action. Take social media, for example. The mindless, endless scroll that the AI gods have deliberately prodded we humans to engage in.
I will admit, I do like aspects of social media, but I hate the scroll and have found it helpful to adopt the "post and move" saying from Shante Cofield, The Movement Maestro on Instagram:
"If you post (I know some of you don't and you are blessed) then... Post and Move! Post, then get away from that app. The movement that you do after will remind you that you are in a body, not a little computer built for a squirrel, or any kind of computer for that matter. You are an autonomous person, not the mindless tool of a bot. You move therefore you think like a human, and you will think differently having moved your human body as opposed to moving only your eyes on that screen of manipulation."
Movement is medicine. It improves our thinking, AND helps us stop over thinking, and even helps us rest.
It brings us back to the experience of the present moment in our body just as it is, the real world just as it is.
Play First, Move First, Dance First. Leave the machines for later.