Alright, let me tell you about my little “snail spirit animal” project. It was a bit of a weird one, but hey, that’s how you learn, right?
So, it started with me just kinda zoning out one afternoon. I was staring at this snail inching its way across my window, and I thought, “Huh, that’s kinda… zen.” And then, BAM! Idea struck – I’m gonna try to embody the spirit of the snail in my daily life.
First thing I did was research. I googled “snail symbolism” and got a whole bunch of stuff about patience, persistence, and taking your time. Okay, cool. That’s the vibe I’m going for. I even watched some nature documentaries about snails, which, surprisingly, were pretty interesting.
Then, I started the “snailification” process. For the first week, I focused on slowing down. I’m usually a pretty frantic person, always rushing around. So, I made a conscious effort to do things deliberately and calmly. Like, when I made coffee, I actually savored each step, instead of just throwing everything together like a maniac. When I walked, I tried to notice the small details around me, like the texture of the sidewalk or the way the sunlight hit the leaves.
Next, I tackled the “carrying your home on your back” aspect. Obviously, I wasn’t gonna glue a shell to myself, but I tried to be more self-sufficient. I started packing my own lunch instead of ordering out, and I made sure I had everything I needed with me so I wouldn’t have to run back and forth. Basically, I wanted to be prepared and resourceful, like a snail with its cozy shell.
The biggest challenge was the “leaving a trail” part. Snails leave a slimy trail wherever they go, right? I interpreted this as leaving a positive impact on the world, however small. So, I tried to be extra kind and helpful to people. I held doors open, offered to help colleagues with their tasks, and even just tried to smile more. It sounds cheesy, but it actually made a difference.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, there were days when I totally failed at being a snail. I’d get stressed out and start rushing around again, or I’d forget to be mindful. But overall, the “snail spirit animal” experiment was actually pretty cool. It forced me to slow down, appreciate the little things, and be more considerate of others.
Did it change my life? Probably not drastically. But it was a fun and quirky way to challenge myself and learn a few things about patience and mindfulness. Plus, I have a newfound appreciation for snails. They’re actually pretty awesome little creatures.
