Have you ever found yourself stuck between two options and been unable to decide? That’s exactly what happened to me when I was trying to choose a new tattoo design to commemorate a significant life milestone. I knew I wanted a Hello Kitty design. However, I had two ideas, but just couldn’t seem to make up my mind. This is how a snack helped me decide on a design for my new tattoo.
Some of you may know, I recently traveled to Japan.
I scheduled an appointment with a Japanese artist so I could get my tattoo during my travels. As the day quickly approached, I was anxious. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get a tattoo from an artist that I had followed for quite some time. During my trip, I stumbled upon a snack that came with three mystery Hello Kitty toys inside and decided to buy it.
When I opened the snack and saw the three toys, I felt a sudden burst of inspiration. I started playing around with them, arranging them in different positions and configurations. As I played, it was like the toys had unlocked something in my brain. After a while, I finally stumbled upon the perfect configuration! I suddenly knew exactly what I wanted my tattoo to look like. Instead of choosing between the two designs, I decided to have a series of 3 Hello Kitties!
Using that concept as a starting point…
I began to design a version of my tattoo. I was able to use both the designs I already had in mind, plus a third! As I worked on it, I felt a new sense of excitement and satisfaction that I hadn’t felt in weeks. It was as if the solution had been there all along, waiting for me to discover it in an unexpected way.
When we’re stuck on a particular issue, whether personal or professional, it can be helpful to step away from the problem. Try to do something completely different. This can help our brains make new connections and come up with a plethora of creative solutions. Trying new experiences, like having something physical to work with (as opposed to images on a screen), can also help.
Now, every time I look at my tattoo…
I’m reminded of the importance of being open to unexpected solutions. Sometimes the answers we’re looking for are right in front of us, disguised as something else entirely. All we have to do is be willing to look beyond our preconceptions and explore new possibilities.
Finding solutions in unexpected ways can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and creativity. In my case, a snack and three surprise toys helped me break through my tattoo design block. Something so simple and seemingly mundane helped me discover a solution that I’m incredibly happy with. So the next time you’re faced with a difficult decision or creative challenge, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Break out of your comfort zone and explore unexpected avenues for inspiration. Who knows what kind of solutions might you discover?