The Mindful Migraine

I’ve spent my professional life in fields such as architecture, project management, and construction.  When I had to rev-up a team in the past, it’s usually with a reminder that there’s a deadline to achieve, and usually there’s financial penalties for missing that deadline.  As such, the ‘motivator’ that keeps people moving towards the goal tends to be money.

When it comes to healing our chronic pain, there often IS a financial incentive (the better we feel, the more we can work, the more we can get paid), BUT, cold-hard-cash-o-la is rarely the number one reason we are deep-down-motivated to get better.

Whilst I don’t have a background in marketing or advertising, I can still recognize the way that marketing slogans are a “call to action”; they are designed to ignite your potential energy and push you out of your place of inertia – they move you from dreaming to doing.

“Ok, so what?” you might ask. 

Well, I want you to build yourself the biggest self-help toolbox the world has ever seen, so you have as many options as possible on any given day. 

[And if the ‘tool-box’ metaphor doesn’t resonate; then switch it to ‘sewing-kit’, ‘beside table’, ‘sock-drawer’, or ‘second-drawer-down in the kitchen’… you get the idea: somewhere where anything useful patiently waits!]

In the same way that moodboards or a homemade healing mandala act as external motivators that prompt an internal drive to heal, we can also put marketing mantras to use in our healing journey.

Here’s how…

Take an obvious one such as Nike’s “JUST DO IT”.  If you’re not feeling inclined to do your daily walk, and you’re umming and ahhing about whether it’s worth it, make the sign of the Nike ‘swish’ with your head; a small dip down and a big rise up; it’s an affirmative YES that reminds you that you can and you should just do it.

In Australia, there’s a McDonald’s slogan “I’m Lovin’ It”.  The words are accompanied by an M which doesn’t stop at the traditional two rounded curves, it keeps going across the screen (a bit like a bouncing ball) and suggests a “mmmmm” – “yum” idea.  You can take the “mmm” sound and use it to motivate mindful meditation (m-m-m).  Sit down, make a contented “mmm” sigh-sound and say “I’m lovin’ this” just before you start your guided meditation.  Use it to pre-empt success and commit to what you’re about to do.  (Remember that if you keep smiling your heart often follows suit.)

Now – it’s over to you.  Take any brand that you love, that you’re aligned with, interested in, a brand whose ideals or products make you happy.  See if they have a good slogan and think of a creative way you can build it into your holistic healing journey. 

Granted, it’s a weird, non-traditional mode of healing… but I’m here for it anyway!

If the approach doesn’t work for you – don’t throw it out.  A bit like the old bendy-blunt-screwdriver that lives at the bottom of everyone’s toolbox, one day it might be just the exact thing you need to wedge something open or pry something loose.  In my opinion, it’s better to have tried and eye-rolled-laughed, than never tried at all!

Take care and keep taking care CREATIVELY, Linda x