a4Outside / Inside

Duration: 2 minutes / phase.

Objective: Pulling on an immediate memory to help elicit new mental processes.

Instructions:
Phase 1: Eyes Open. Pick a spot that is different from where you normally practice (preferably outside on a porch or something. A different room can work, too. You just want some sensory variation there). Once you’re ready, take 2 minutes to describe what you see, feel, hear around you (with an emphasis on what you see). After you’re done, immediately go inside to your practice room for phase 2.
Phase 2: Eyes closed. Once back inside, sit down and relax, breathing deep for a few seconds. Close your eyes, and think of what it was like to be outside just a minute ago. Proceed to describe the surroundings outside as if you were still out there. So make sure to say everything in present tense (eg: I can see… I can hear...). Try not to just recall what you had said the first time around, and instead, describe as if you’re doing it for the first time.
Bonus phase (the curve ball): At the end of your timer, take an extra 30 seconds to a minute to add in an event that did not happen while you were out there, and describe the event as if it were happening right in front of you (eg: a bird flies in, lands, does something, and flies back out. Or a deer walks by, looks at you, then walks away. Anything like this can work great).

Post-Exercise Inquiries:
Overall, how did that exercise occur to me (specifically phase 2 and the curve ball?)
If I had to pick a moment from what I described in phase 2 that may have contained more visual information than the rest, which moment would I pick?
What about that particular moment makes it stand out from the rest of the exercise?
Remember to take note of any slight difference. Everything is valid.

Notes: If working with a partner, have the listener create the curveball, so the scenario is unexpected! This can help with novel sensory thought generation.