The Mono Acting mindset

During my schooling years, we had this unique competition of “Mono Acting” – Enacting a drama on the stage where one plays role of multiple characters, usually two. We ask a question to another person, switch sides, be that other person and answer that question, switch back, and the conversation goes on. You can call it wearing multiple hats or being in the shoes of others. Recently I realized we can apply this to our day-to-day life and live a better life, one with more positivity and less complaints.

The thought first struck when I was washing the dishes. As part of our division of labor at home, I do the dishes. I do find this household chore quite annoying, but sometimes this also makes for an interesting meditative experience. Most of the times, I am overwhelmed with the number of vessels we end up using for just the three of us. On one hand I find myself trying to minimize the number of dishes used, maybe re-use them for couple of times, etc. But then, on the other hand, I find it liberating to not think about the “washing” part and use the dishes appropriately as required, abundant yet judiciously of course. Later, when I don my washing hat on, I just do the job without complaining about why so many dishes in the basin. Over the years, I have been improving on this “mono-acting” mindset of getting into “user” mode and later into “washer” mode at different times, but there is still a long way to go.

On the health front, although I prefer eating more healthy stuff, I do feast at times, junk food included, though in moderation. Especially after a good run or exercise routine. I have been running for couple of years now, and when I am in that “sports” mode, I am quite occupied on completing those 5k and 10k runs. When enjoying a good meal, I don’t necessarily worry about the extra calories, as the other part of me has worked out for this part. This is another classic case of Mono acting, one part of me sweating it out, and the other one enjoying a sumptuous meal without apprehension. I have been doing quite well on this front, but of course there is always scope for improvement.

On the financial front, we are always in a crossroad of how much to spend vs how much to invest/save. Heavy inclination on either side makes for disastrous results. Only saving without enjoying life is a life well and truly wasted, there is no guarantee that tomorrow will come anyways. Only enjoying without thinking about tomorrow is a well-known problem all over the world, thanks to capitalism and materialistic pleasure-seeking mindset. What we need is a two-mindset approach, two hats: One focused on investments and savings; the other to enjoy the fruits of our hard labor. They say that we regret the things that we haven’t done in life rather than regret the things that we have done. I personally am not using the “enjoyment” hat rightly, always worried about the costs, but I am getting better at that. Not investing rightly has been a regret for me until 2 years back, I have improved on that now. So, don the two hats, play the two roles at different times, one to look into savings and investments, the other to enjoy without qualm when on vacations and experiencing those wonderful moments of life.

Time on earth is limited, and we want to make every moment count. Chasing a good work life balance is always the right choice. Work hard, party harder does seem to be a better way of living. While wearing the “work” hat, lets focus on the work at hand, give our best and deliver results. Once away from work, throw that hat off, put on your “life” hat, and focus on your hobbies, your family, friends, your interests and your true calling. Enjoy it to the fullest. A different person at work, a different mindset while away from work. Two personalities living harmoniously in a single body and mind, playing the traditional Mono acting.

Probably there are more areas where we might need to juggle with multiple hats, a different person in different roles, enacting the mono-acting on the real-life stage. Let me know if you can think of any other interesting avenues. When we use this perspective towards life, probably we end up with less guilt and more fulfillment. Sound, camera, action!