WEEK 31 - Challenge your default settings
Hey there, thanks for joining us for Week 31 of HOMwork 2020!
Lately, I've been seeing versions of the phrase, “You’re allowed to change your mind” all over the place! Sometimes it’s lighthearted, like our collective opinion on whether carbs are good or bad (hint: I don't care, they're delicious). And sometimes it’s heavier and more important, like our national reckoning with racism and privilege.
A great example from my own life is the idea that meat HAS to be part of every meal. That belief was reinforced by meat being served to me all the time - at home, at school, in restaurants, it’s even part of the food pyramid!
But when I went to college I met people who didn't eat meat at all and they seemed… fine? Like, they were not having any astronomical issues because of the lack of meat in their lives?! It took me a while to adjust to a new frame of reference for the “meat in meals” belief, but I actually now really enjoy living my life without eating meat.
If you’ve been following me for any length of time you know that I am an enthusiastic advocate for switching things up - especially if your current practice isn’t serving you (or the people around you) well.
That’s basically how I got to where I am today! I challenged the (inherited) belief that a corporate 9-to-5 was the most secure career option, and my life is so much better suited to me now because I challenged that default setting.
Inherited beliefs aren’t our fault; they’re not anyone’s fault! The people (or communities) that reinforce those beliefs generally mean well and are sharing and reinforcing mindsets that are valuable TO THEM.
But as people and cultures change, so should beliefs.
Growing up, adults in my life told me I would become more politically conservative as I got older. And I as a teen, I believed it (I mean, I trusted the adults in my life so I had no reason *not* to believe them).
But after I left my hometown, went to college and expanded my world, I began to realize that those adults were wrong. I’m approaching my 30s and the opposite has actually been true: I’m getting more progressive with every passing year!
As I challenge that “conservative with age” belief I find myself more and more comfortable holding and expressing my political point of view. Putting that inherited belief to rest has been liberating. It lets me express myself in new ways and has given me a new avenue to explore with my art.
We creatives are excellent at shifting our point of view or seeing things from a different angle. I think we are some of the best people to be identifying and highlighting beliefs or traditions that aren’t working anymore...and then actively working towards better ones.
Which leads me to this week’s assignment…
Your assignment: Create a fictional book cover using an inherited belief that you no longer agree with/hold true.
Thought starters: These kinds of book titles follow a tried-and-true (and Lauren-approved haha) formula: 'meh' belief + quirky “fix it” phrase.
Some examples of inherited beliefs:
A 9-to-5 job is the most stable & desirable career path...
Marriage should be the end goal of a romantic relationship...
Women are naturally good at caring for children...
Anyone can achieve "The American Dream" if they work hard enough...
There’s only one right way to fold clothes...
And here are some examples of quirky “fix-it” phrases:
...and other complete nonsense
...and other things society was wrong about
...and other ideas I no longer believe
...and some other traditions that need to die
...and other advice from adults that turned out to be total garbage
Caption idea: This kind of art is best with some context, so use your caption to explain your book. Identify the inherited belief that your art highlights and talk about how and where that belief was reinforced to you. If you want to go even deeper, describe the experience that challenged that inherited belief and made you start thinking differently. And then - if you’re at that point in your life - talk about the effect of changing your beliefs.
Make sure to use the hashtag #HOMwork2020 and tag me @homsweethom so I can see all the great fake books you design. I'll be sharing my faves in my Stories all week!
