Actively provide care or show interest in others, even if you don’t initially feel love or connection, because the act of caring itself produces love and attachment, making it a trainable skill.
Get out of your own head and help other people, as this counterintuitive strategy leads to more happiness and meaning in your life, despite the inherent difficulties of caregiving.
Engage in meditation, especially open awareness, to step out of goal-directed planning mode, which can paradoxically open your mind to a broader range of solutions and possibilities.
Dedicate time for play, long walks, or learning musical instruments, as these non-goal-directed activities can paradoxically lead to more effective problem-solving and innovation in the long run.
Practice open awareness meditation to de-emphasize internal monologue and become more receptive to all sensory information, fostering a broader, more accurate perception of reality and interconnectedness.
Actively try to master new skills to return to a ‘beginner’s mind’ state, which fosters exploration and learning similar to how children approach the world.
Cultivate a sense of safety and security in your environment, as this allows for broader exploration and risk-taking, similar to how children learn best when supported by caregivers.
Engage in activities you’re not good at, try things different from your daily routine, or travel to new places to ‘kick yourself out of local optima’ and discover new alternatives and perspectives.
Actively seek experiences that evoke a sense of awe, such as being in nature, to expand your perception beyond your personal self and connect with a broader sense of the world.
Spend time with young children to experience broad awareness and deep caregiving emotions, as their natural curiosity can help adults re-discover the richness and novelty in everyday environments.
Shift from a ‘carpenter’ mindset of trying to shape children into specific outcomes to a ‘gardener’ mindset, focusing on creating a rich, nurturing environment that allows children to naturally explore and learn.
Advocate for and implement institutional changes like intergenerational living, formal caregiver roles (e.g., designated carers, godparents), caregiving allowances, and a ‘grandmother core’ to support and recognize the value of caregiving relationships.