As a result, in the Autumn of 2016, I decided to not to wait for 2017 to start something new. I started taking lessons in the Alexander Technique. It’s a thing actors do. It’s related to Pilates and is concerned with making better use of our bodies, bones and muscles. As I learn, I realise it’s not so much about learning good posture, but unlearning bad habits. My life with a laptop has led to a few pains and problems and this will only get worse. I’m hoping these lessons will help me reverse or at least slow down that process.
And here’s the first lesson I learned that might be useful for all of us in making 2017 a better year. It’s this: stop. Before you make a movement, stop and think how you’re going to do it. Rather than merely reacting, or acting instinctively, you act intentionally. But this only happens if you pause and take a moment first.
How would 2017 look if we all did that? We have no control over the events that take place. We can decide how we react both in person and on social media. We can stop before expressing opinions, jumping to conclusions and impugning the motives of others. Rather than sharing a meme on Facebook that reinforces our opinions and belittles others, stop. If it’s a joke, ask yourself if sharing it is helpful or kind. If it’s a fact, check whether it’s actually true, especially if it’s the kind you’d like to be true.
It’s hard to do this when all around you people are venting, tweeting and sharing all kinds of partisan bile. To these people, the truth is so obvious and the villains crystal clear. They revel in name-calling, knowing full well they will never look the victims of their speech in the eye. Here’s a tip. Mute them. Unfollow them. Cut them out of your eye-line. If you don’t, these people will drag you back to what you were, undoing all the unlearning.
Identify times where you’re likely to get sucked into a petty debate. For me, it was Facebook fights I was prone to comment on via my phone when I was on a train or tube journey. My solution was to delete Facebook from my phone. Try it. Unless of course you’re reading this piece via Facebook on your phone. Although it ends here. So what’s stopping you?
