Do you feel like you’re always wrestling with your own inner chatter?
Or worse, like your brain’s been hijacked by an unruly troublemaking crew?
You are certainly not alone.
Dozens of books and millions of words have been written about mind mastery, none more famous than Professor Steve Peters’ Chimp Paradox, about the struggles that take place within your mind and how you can take control of them.
But let’s rewind a bit – to a time before fancy animations, talking chimps and self-help books.
Long before mindfulness was all the rage, the Numskulls were dishing out lessons on focus and self-awareness.
Who? The Numskulls* were a group of teeny tiny mischief makers who lived – and most importantly caused complete chaos – inside Edd Case’s brain.
They took the form of comic strip stories (Beano, Dandy, Beezer – Gen Z, ask your parents) and focused on the everyday misadventures of Radar, Brainy, Blinky, Cruncher and Snitch.
Each Numskull represented a different aspect of Edd’s personality or bodily functions. They operated in their own spaces, using their own methods, which proved tricky for poor Edd. The Numskulls were in control, not Edd!
Their stories feel ahead of their time now, engaging the reader’s senses and emotions through these cartoon anarchists.
The Numskulls’ decades-old teachings were a masterclass in relatable storytelling that have stood the test of time. They are still being parodied by others to this day. Inside Out** anyone?
So, what inside knowledge do these characters have to share?
1. Radar’s mindful listening
Ever find yourself nodding along to someone’s monologue while mentally checking out? Time to channel your inner Radar:
- HALT: Stop in your tracks and pay attention.
- ENJOY: Savour the moment, even if it’s a bit awkward.
- ASK: Don’t be afraid to seek clarification. It’s better to ask than to assume. You might be surprised what you discover.
- REFLECT: Echo back what you’ve heard to show you’re not just zoning out.
2. Brainy’s exit plan for pesky thoughts
Self-awareness is key. Eject those negative thoughts by following Brainy’s positivity plan:
- Embrace the present.
- Observe your thoughts like a curious bystander, no judgment allowed.
- Make conscious choices to steer your mental ship toward calmer waters.
3. Blinky’s meditation magic
Let’s summon some Zen by closing your eyes and meditating. Here’s Blinky’s sensory sorcery suggestions:
- Switch your mind to divergent thinking mode to generate new ideas with some good ol’ fashioned daydreaming.
- Stay focused, dodge distractions and list those novelty and usefulness of ideas.
- Stay resilient in the face of setbacks—remember, failure is just a stepping stone to success.
4. Cruncher’s mindful munching
Who knew eating could be modified to inject inner peace? Here’s Cruncher’s every bite counts guide:
- Slow down and savour each bite like it’s the last slice of food you will eat.
- Try a guided mindful eating exercise.
- Banish distractions and give your meal the attention it deserves.
- Tune in to your body’s signals and relish the sensory experience.
5. Snitch’s aroma awakening
Smell is our memory bank setting. Your nose knows it all. Let Snitch’s scent receptors guide the way:
- Take a whiff of the world around you—food, fragrances, and funky smells alike.
- Let those scents transport you to another time and place.
- Embrace the power of smell to ignite your creativity and awaken your senses.
So, there you have it—mindfulness, Numskull style! Who knew a bunch of tiny troublemakers could hold the key to inner peace and creativity? They did, decades ago!
By Ally Taylor for Alive!
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The bespoke illustrations in this blog are Alive’s take on the wonderful original illustrations by Malcolm Judge. We couldn’t write a Numskulls blog without having a little fun with them. But credit where credits due, they will always be his creation. 😉
References
*‘The Numskulls’ were a group of tiny characters from the British magazine comic strip called ‘The Beano’ (although they first appeared in ‘The Beezer’ in 1962).
**Inside out – is a 2015 American animated coming-of-age film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures.
Resources
- Radar’s practice inspired by mindful.org HEAR article.
- Brainy’s nifty tips are inspired by Forbes and the science of mindfulness.
- Blinkys meditation practice inspired by Harvard Business Review.
- Cruncher’s mindful eating practice inspired by Physician David Sandweiss.
- Snitch’saroma awakening inspired by stop and smell the roses and using scent to keep calm
More mindful reading …
Take a look at our #MindfulMoments on our social channels for some more ways to cultivate calmness in your workday.