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The Opposite ♥

in I Want... Inspiration!, I Want... Life!, I Want... Change!, I Want... Fun!
17 Sep 2009  | 6 Comments

It's one of my all-time favourite episodes of Seinfeld: in 'The Opposite', George Costanza is examining his career, relationship status, lifestyle and social circle when he quickly comes to the conclusion that all of his previous decisions have left him unfulfilled, uninspired and BITTERLY unhappy.

After lamenting his progress and gloomily mulling over the subject with Jerry, a true 'lightbulb' moment occurs, and he realizes that in order to change his circumstances and prevent future disappointments from arising, he must act differently!

He immediately vows to do the opposite of everything that he would usually do, testing his epiphany by ordering the opposite dish on the menu at his favourite cafe` that he would traditionally select (only to discover that he loves it!), exchanging his usual 'no' responses with a 'yes', and monitoring his daily behaviours, interactions and conversations with the outside world to complete the very actions that he would ordinarily never consider.

Within a few days, his luck changes drastically: he finds a girlfriend, scores a PHENOMENALLY coveted position with the New York Yankees and moves out of his parents' house to enjoy incredible bliss! While it was a fictional experience, it raised an interesting question and introduced audiences to a unique perspective: what would manifest if their lives were magically rearranged by a simple substitute of words, actions and gestures? 

It's a concept that I'm trying to incorporate into my own daily adventure, and perhaps you could envisage it too: what would shift in your environment if you resisted your familiar routines, and instead embraced the unknown? If you travelled an alternative route to work, would you stumble across a $5 note on the street? If you fashioned your hair in an unusual style, would you attract an army of compliments? If your standard communications with a potential love interest were amended, would the situation be improved? What would exploring ''the opposite'' lead YOU to discover?!

xoxo

(Image thanks to Vorfas.)

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Comments (6)

Julie - Deeeeefinitely. And you're welcome!

Nisha - For sure.

Rachel - Ooh, YES! I've heard about 'Yes Man' and have actually wanted to see it for ages, thank-you for the reminder!

Amy - Cute, cute, cute :) Let me know how you go, I'd love to hear!

Limespark - I know.. ah, I LOVE 'Seinfeld'!

18 Sep 2009, x Corrine/Frock & Roll x, www.frockandrollonline.com

Ahh, Seinfeld. The wisdom just can't be measured! I always felt bad for George, he just couldn't win...

18 Sep 2009, Limespark - Please Feed the Bears., http://limespark.wordpress.com

I totally agree with you, what a great way to give yourself a shake up and try and bring something new into your life. As of tomorrow I'm going to try changing tiny things about my every day routine :)

18 Sep 2009, Amy, http://www.desirable.co.uk

I love this idea! It kinda reminds me of Yes Man with Jim Carrey, where he says yes to everything...

18 Sep 2009, Rachel

I have to agree that would be a super interesting way to shake things up a bit! It is rather hard though to move out your comfort zone.

17 Sep 2009, Nisha, http://silkandmemento.com/

This is a very interesting experiment!

It also reminds me of a Gilmore Girls episode where Lorelai questions herself on whether or not she is who she is just to spite her mother.

I feel that we get too settled in our predefined patterns (road to work, how to tie our shoes, etc) to notice that there are other things and other ways to do our activities, other roads to take.

Thanks for the reminder hun.

17 Sep 2009, Julie, Http://juliettemaxwell.com

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