Superfunkomatic - Observations of the Socially Inept

my sociology instructor is making each student write a journal as part of the course to help us - “break mental patterns”.

interesting, in that i’ve been writing this blog for years and often it does provide a forum or outlet for my feelings, emotions and patterns. also interesting is that many in the class are finding it difficult to write down what they are thinking. odd, if you don’t know what you’re thinking, who will?

breaking mental patterns is very difficult. it’s easy to get into routines and patterns - both positive and negative. i’ve found it relatively difficult to switch from career life back to one of being a student. it’s surprising how little we use our brains once we get into daily work patterns - things become second nature and we aren’t required to think about anything other than completing tasks.

university has been a great awakening. it’s hard to learn, it’s hard to open the new path ways in the brain and create space for new memories. it’s also been a great way of getting out of patterns of anti-social behavior - working on computers it becomes easy to hide away and not get involved with others. it becomes a pattern of avoidance, but now that it’s been broken it feels good to sit and chat with others - they’re going through the same experience.

the instructor mentioned it’s tough to get your brain to do things other than it’s used to. try not getting your morning coffee, going through a pre-sporting event routine - it’s hard, it becomes hardwired. without knowing why we often resist - new ideas, new culture, new experience for the familiar. it’s tough to be out of our comfort zone.
making a concious effort to choose a path other than the one you normally would can often provide far more enlightening and interesting consequences. once you’re out of “your zone” you are open to hurt, embarrassment and negative consequences but - nothing ventured nothing gained.

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