How to Use Your Imagination

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Adults often dismiss imagination as mere child's play. We observe children and expect them to create their own rules, view the world with fresh eyes, and fill the gaps in their knowledge with fantastical possibilities. But as we grow, the realities of life—death, taxes, rent, and mortgages—slowly erode our sense of wonder. We become intensely focused on intellect and undervalue creativity. And, of course, no discussion on imagination would be complete without a nod to the iconic John Lennon song, 'Imagine.'

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will be as one

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What if imagination is the key to freeing ourselves to see ourselves, the people around us, and the world differently? What if imagination allows us to tap into a deeper understanding where rules and structures lead us astray? Einstein said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." Einstein is giving you permission to not be so smart.

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Break Out of Stuck. Possibilities break rigidity, and psychological rigidity leads to discontentment. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT-therapists love acronyms) is a modality based on psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility is the process of being deeply present to observe our stuckness, increase tolerance to discomfort, and challenge rigid thoughts. The prerequisite to practicing psychological flexibility is calling ourselves out on our justifications- AKA our own bullshit.

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What are your rules? What rules keep you from living a creative life? Often, rules serve to manage uncomfortable emotions. Our justifications, the reasons we give ourselves for not challenging these rules, tell us all that we can't handle.

Common rules include:

I need to drink to have fun.

I need to exercise to feel sane.

I can't relax until the dishes get done.

You need to be okay so that I can be okay.

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"The code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules," Captain Jack Sparrow. Reframing rules as guidelines helps us become less dependent on justifications to feel okay. It's not that our personal rules are untrue; it's understanding we make them up to predict emotional outcomes. The more flexible we can be with our thoughts, the more creative, imaginative, and (dare I say) less stressed we become.

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Imagination in Action

• Play with thoughts. Think about what it would be like to break your own rules. What if the dishes didn't need to be cleaned to have fun? What if you were good enough to ask for the raise you've been hoping for? Imagine these scenarios in detail, including how you would feel and what the outcomes might be.
• Meet your kryptonite. Write down the justifications or rules you make up. What emotions are these rules trying to manage? Now, imagine you were a movie character; what script would you write for your main character? How would this character get out of their own way? Creative writing challenges justifications, and you get to experience liberation through this process.
• Tap into your imagination. Dare yourself to dream without having to do anything about it. It doesn't need to happen, and you don't need to be any more productive. You just get to be like a Pixar film creator and use your imagination to tap into your childlike self. Joy lives in the process. Make it a habit.

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Imaginatively Yours,

Brittani