EXPERIMENT: Small Changes, Big Impact
How small actions can create big change.
It’s easy to look at change as some sort of big, insurmountable thing, and to paralyse ourselves into inaction because of it. Even if we know change is necessary, or will be beneficial to us, taking that first step is often scary because a) we’re afraid it won’t work, and b) we’re afraid it will work.
Being afraid of change is natural. It takes a lot to give up what is familiar in favour of the unknown. We will all face change in many forms throughout our lives, both willingly and unwillingly. No matter what it looks like, though, change is and always will be a constant presence, and it’s important that we learn to embrace it, rather than fear it. Some types of change will, of course, be more challenging than others. But if we can’t stop the waves from coming, we can learn to surf — and hopefully come to enjoy the sport in the process.
There are also instances when we’re afraid that the change we so desperately seek won’t happen. And that is definitely a scary thought, especially in the times we live in. But change won’t happen until and unless we take action, no matter how small. By starting with something small and manageable, we embolden ourselves to take greater action in future. And in any case, a step in the right direction will always bring you closer to where you want to go, no matter how big it is. It’s just a matter of taking one step after another until you get there.
For this experiment, think of something that you’d like to change. It can be as simple or complex as you want. No matter what, the approach is the same — you’re going to break it down into simple actions that you can take, every single day, to bring you closer to making that change happen. Here are some examples of actionable steps you can take each day, if you want to:
IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
Drink a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning.
Meditate — simply focus on your breathing, and let your thoughts come and go as if they don’t belong to you. You can practice this for a few minutes whenever you need to clear your head, or for longer stretches in the morning and/or evening.
Incorporate more movement into your daily routine. Set a timer to remind yourself to move around every half an hour or so.
Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Set a timer or use an app if you need to.
Practice hara hachi bu — eat when you're hungry, and stop when you're 80% full.
Spend more time in nature. Have a picnic in the park, go to the beach, go on a hike, spend a day by the river!
Get enough rest — prioritise taking small breaks throughout the day and getting a good night’s sleep. (I use an app called SleepTown which has been helping me a lot with this!)
BE MORE CREATIVE.
Journal every day. Your journal could take the form of a sketchbook, handwritten diary, digital diary, vlog, short film, song, dance… anything you like!
Document what you see around you — take photos, make sketches, make films, write, sing… choose whatever medium you fancy.
Create something for the pure joy of it, without worrying about the outcome.
Remix an existing piece of art — put your own spin on it and make it your own.
Doodle — with pictures, drawings, collages, music, words, found objects, anything! Create scrappy little projects whenever the mood strikes you, with whatever you have on hand.
Immerse yourself in the work of other creatives. Try to put yourself in their shoes, to understand what goes into the creation of their work and what inspires them.
Collaborate with someone. It could be anyone — a child, your partner, your parent, your best friend, your colleague, your pet, a complete stranger. See what the two (or more) of you come up with!
DO YOUR PART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
Take shorter showers. Set a timer, or make yourself take cold showers so you're less likely to stay in there longer than necessary!
Eliminate single-use plastic from your life. Be aware of which products you're buying are disposable or come packaged in plastic and make an effort to seek out better alternatives wherever possible.
Reduce or eliminate your consumption of animal products. Animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of global warming, and reducing the demand for animal products means reducing the need to produce the excessive (read: harmful) amounts we do currently.
Buy and use reusable products such as water bottles, food containers, straws, shopping bags, sanitary products, etc. There are very few everyday disposable items that can't be replaced with a reusable option.
Turn off all the switches in a room when you leave it. Yes, even when you pop out to go to the bathroom!
Buy and wear only secondhand and/or sustainably made clothing.
Shop local. Choosing the local option means your product has amassed less travel miles and a lower carbon footprint than one that's been imported.
Start a garden. Not only do you contribute a little to the oxygen content and natural ecosystem in your neighbourhood, you get to enjoy the beauty of a few flowers or the satisfaction of eating a homegrown meal!
CREATE SOCIAL CHANGE.
Educate yourself on the way the system works, on whom it benefits and whom it marginalises.
Educate others, when the occasion calls for it or if they ask.
Use your social platforms to speak up for what is right, and to demand justice for what isn’t.
Donate to good causes.
Sign petitions. Use your voice to call attention to issues that need it.
Support small, ethical, transparent businesses rather than large, profit-driven corporations.
Vote!!! Change truly does not happen until and unless the people demand it, so exercise your rights and contribute to that change.
BECOME A BETTER PERSON OVERALL.
Listen and pay attention when others speak.
Perform random acts of kindness, for yourself, your loved ones or complete strangers.
Compliment someone on something you admire about them.
Share a meal with someone.
Teach a little kid a new skill.
Learn a new skill yourself.
Challenge yourself to try something outside your comfort zone.
These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg — there truly is no end to the ways you can make a positive change in your life and the world today. But no matter how big or small the change, it always starts with a single step. As long as you keep your face turned in the right direction, and keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will get to where you want to go. B.
If you try this experiment, be sure to share it with us on Instagram under the hashtag #brazenexperiments and tag us @brazen.mag so we can see it!
