After identifying the evidence of dissonance, there has to be some way to redirect it. We are tired and we don’t know what to do productively, so it turns into not the most productive ways. Those are explored in Part II of Exploring Level 1. This second section of the first level focus on what to do with that.

…so we must do something. Do nothing. Do anything that makes use of our minds, bodies, or energy.

We are all individuals with our own ways of dealing with things. It does not take away that these three things are available and need to redirect what consumes us.

Such as…

Do nothing. This can seem as so negative in a world where being active is encouraged. If we do not rest to recover and reflect, we are moving with less purpose and intent. Allowing ourselves to feel what we are feeling, to rest away from those feelings and just exist in a better state, or to literally sleep for a moment. Understanding that I needed to simply do this to start, I utilized my CPAP machine and rested when my body felt tired.

As humans, we the more fun we find something, the greater chancer we are to do it. As long as we feel we deserve or can accept it, it helps us feel much better. Maybe we challenge ourselves, or make little games out of it. Letting ourselves enjoy what we do for the sake of enjoyment is very important. Others opinions do not have to play into it. There are many ways to game even if one does not play traditional board, card, or video games. Strategy, setting goals, and such is super helpful. Gamification is all about making tasks fun. The beauty is that in many cases, having fun in and of itself is just as important.

Another way to redirect the energy is to create. That was how Maekonect™ came about. I wanted to create something to address the problems I saw in a constructive way. I also write in forum RPs and have come up with countless characters, many of whom allow me to work out struggles I had internally. This process was not something I realized was even happening until much later. Anyone can be creative, but when we don’t have an outlet, what we want to do can feel overwhelming.

At least, that us how it was for myself. How it is for myself. There is so much I wanted to change for others, but I really wanted it for myself. I thought others had the power and the drive to make something of their lives… while this is true, it took away from the fact that I wanted the power and the drive to do something with my own life.

Maekonect™ is my creation. I write, I RP, I sing, yes… but a lot of this was not towards things I wanted to do. Not intentionally towards it. The RP I do was more fun and gaming, despite certainly being creative. What I want to focus on is my passion project, my stories, my book ideas, my music… I want to create something that is purely by me for me, which I just to happen to let others see. That’s the kind of creation I hope others can enjoy.

However at this point, I am not doing this to help others. I am doing this for myself. Let’s see if this truly helps ground me. Next time, we will look at part three of level one. For now…. I will be making the most of these three aspects.