The Art of Noticing

Darin Jawahar

on The Plastic Mind

“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training” – Greek poet Archilochus.

When I wake up, there is typically only one thing I can think of—myself. “Shit, what did you do last night? Why did you go to bed so late? You reek. You’re all over the place. What do you have to do today?”

I’ve never been a morning person. Waking up early has felt the same to me since early elementary school. Except the thoughts I have now weren’t mine at the time. Back then, they were audible, projected from the angelic voice of my Asian-American mother herself, who was generous enough to be my waking alarm.

This isn’t a diss to my mother. I mean, I wouldn’t be potty-trained without her. I wouldn’t have made it past level J of Kumon without her. Hell, I wouldn’t be goated at “Polish Dance” by Edmund Severn on the violin without her. I love that woman.

But this isn’t about my mother. I’m here to make the observation that mornings are hard for me, and at this stage of my life, my mind is wired to perceive them a certain way—subconsciously.

The question is: Is it possible for me to have a healthier relationship with waking up early? More generally, is it possible for one to rewire their mind to have healthier perceptions of what they might find traumatic or dreadful?

After traveling abroad last year, one thing I learned is that there is a design, and an art to noticing it. The structure of our lungs mimic the branches on trees. Both our heartbeat and tides are driven by oscillation—repetition.

I love to use art and movement to understand and interact with the environment and other people. And I find myself able to do this through dance, photography, journaling, hiking, and more. The best part is the feeling I get after engaging in those expressive activities.

Simultaneously, I have an interest in the relationship between the nervous system and the mind. I’ve been reading more about interpersonal neurobiology and how systems shape our minds. I am excited to learn more.

So, I want to use this platform as a reflection; an examination of how art, society, and environment shape the plastic mind, and what this can mean for us in this ever-changing society. I do not have it all mapped out yet, but I am excited to share what I learn, along with some personal experiences and philosophies.