1. Find a place in your home or yard that you don’t often spend time in. Make yourself comfortable in the space (sit down, lean against a wall, wrap up in a blanket etc.).

2. Find something small and specific—a detail—that you can observe from where you are seated or standing. Just look at it for a few minutes. What do you observe that you’ve never noticed before?

3. Make a list of things that come to mind while observing the object. Your list items could describe the object or not even seem related to it. Simply write down what naturally floats into your mind, even if it doesn’t make sense.

4. Now, look through your list. What you stands out? Choose one item to explore more in writing.