George Lucas famously advised aspiring writers, “Don’t avoid the clichés – they are clichés because they work!” Why? Because they contain a truth. Yet, he also cautioned that clichés become problematic when overused. Predictability saps their impact and strips them of emotional resonance and freshness.
Today, the phrase “enjoy the process” has itself become a cliché. It’s a token remark to pay attention to what’s happening now but is as quickly forgotten as it was given. However, if we stop to reflect more deeply, we’ll see that it contains a philosophy of life in miniature.
What Exactly Is “The Process?”
“The process” is simply whatever is taking place right now. At this moment, you’re reading this article, perhaps considering its thesis, while sitting in a particular location, surrounded by distinct sights and sounds. Everyone’s “right now” is multi-layered and unique. Philosophers have referred to this as the Now or the Eternal Present.
The phrase is often shared for two reasons.
The Less Serious Path
First, it reminds us to stop taking life so seriously and rediscover joy. Second, it calls attention to our habits of thought, too often dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, and pulls us back to the present. Rather than a judgment, it serves as a gentle nudge toward awareness.
Enjoying the process for pleasurable activities is easy to understand, but it’s a different story when handling difficult or tedious tasks.
When The Process Gets Tough
Take, for example, organizing the garage. It’s a dusty, chaotic, and seemingly endless chore. The thought of sorting through old boxes, untangling cords, and finding a place for everything might make a person want to give up before starting. When a friend cheerfully suggests, “Why not enjoy the process?” your first reaction might be disbelief. But she may have a point.
The Different Solution
Albert Einstein’s advice, “We cannot solve our problems with the same kind of thinking we used to create them,” hints at the kind of mental shift that is necessary to reframe the task into an activity that promises not only practical utility but personal benefits.
For instance, making order in one’s belongings can lead to a sense of calm, reducing stress and anxiety. Studies show that messy environments can increase feelings of frustration and reduce one’s sense of control, while organizing can promote mindfulness and here-and-now awareness.
Imagine finding a collection of old hiking boots in your garage as you’re rearranging things. You used to hike regularly, on such beautiful trails, but over time you gave it up. Looking at the worn shoes makes you realize that you actually miss the sense of physical and mental wellbeing you felt. Consequently, you might decide to commit to incorporating at least one hike a month into your routine.
Similarly, discovering a stash of watercolor paints could recall the pleasure you once had in working with your hands, and might inspire you to plan some arts and crafts projects for your grandchildren over the holidays.
When browsing through the stacks of discarded books, you affectionately open the one on textiles. Your considerable skills in costume design, not employed since high school, make you think about offering your talent to the local community theater.
The Process Is Very Deep Actually
The point here is that there’s more to cleaning the garage than putting possessions in order. The process is filled with personal decisions, insights, reflections, and inspirations that offer unexpected benefits.
The same holds true for whatever you do. Experience is not a single track, unless you are fixated on nothing else but getting from Point A to Point B. Certainly, experience, thoroughly enjoyed, is multi-layered.
So, the next time you hear the phrase “enjoy the process,” take it as an invitation to be curious about what you might learn as you work through the activity because “the process” isn’t just a means to an end – it’s a mirror reflecting the evolving journey of who you are. To be sure, life unfolds in the present, and each moment carries its own potential for meaning.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What process have you started with enjoyment in mind? What about tough to tackle projects? Have you had to shift your mindset toward enjoyment, inspiration and reflection when organizing various aspects of your home and life?
