Have you ever stared at one of those optical illusions where a static image seems to ripple, spin, or pulse?
Your eyes insist something is moving, but your brain—if it takes a moment to step back—knows the truth: the image isn’t going anywhere.
That, my friends, is illusory motion.
And let’s be real, life often feels just like one of those trippy images.
Take a moment.
Look at your day-to-day.
Are there moments where you feel caught in a whirl, situations where progress seems real but, in hindsight, you realize you’ve been standing still?
Or maybe the opposite happens—a dull, stagnant situation starts to feel chaotic simply because of our swirling thoughts.
Here’s the kicker: our incredible, powerful human minds are at the helm of these illusions.
Just as you can “stop” an illusory image from seeming to move when you shift your focus or soften your gaze, you can find stillness and clarity in your life by stepping back with a dose of self-compassion.
Illusory motion isn’t inherently bad—it’s all about context.
The swirling pinwheel of thoughts can spark creativity, passion, and action.
But it can also lead to burnout, frustration, and feeling stuck in a loop.
Here’s an example:
• Positive Illusion: You’re brainstorming for a passion project, and the ideas feel like they’re flowing endlessly. Your mind is buzzing, and you’re convinced you’re on fire. But is the motion real? Or could pausing give you clarity to pick the best ideas?
• Negative Illusion: You’ve been replaying a conversation in your head all day—what she said, what you should have said. It feels like it’s spiraling out of control. But…is it? Or is it just a static thought, gaining momentum because you’re staring too closely?
Just as you can halt the spinning of an illusory image by stepping back, you can interrupt the loops of illusory motion in your life. Here’s how:
- Pause and Observe: When caught in the swirl, literally or figuratively, take a moment to notice. Is this real motion, or does it just feel that way?
- Shift Your Perspective: Self-compassion is your reset button. Ask yourself, “What would I say to my dearest friend feeling this way?” Then say it to yourself.
- Redirect the Energy: If the motion feels positive, how can you ground it into something tangible? If it’s negative, what small step can you take to quiet it?
So, Brave Sisters, Here’s the Challenge
Let’s take the #NoComplainingChallenge one step further: when you feel caught in life’s illusory motion, pause.
Join us in Driven Women and share one moment where you reclaimed your stillness and tell us how it shifted your perspective. Bonus points if you include a favorite optical illusion!