Thinking Inside the Box

“You may avoid thinking inside the box but, beware of the consequences”.

Sacha Sosno’s (1937-2013) striking sculpture, often referred to as ‘Thinking Inside the Box,’ serves as a powerful visual metaphor and forms the basis of my hypothesis in this article.

In a world where we are often encouraged to “think outside the box,” there is something to be said for looking inward and embracing the often-overlooked power of “thinking inside the box”.

The formal name of Sosno’s famous sculpture is, La Tête Carrée (The Square Head), monumental artwork, located in Nice, France and was completed in 2002. It is notable for being the first habitable sculpture in the world. Standing at 28 meters high, it houses three floors of the city's Louis Nucera Library. The structure is a cube resting on a bust, combining art with architecture. Sosno's "obliteration" concept, which leaves parts of the sculpture incomplete, encourages viewers to use their imagination to fill in the blanks.

Sosno’s work, a simple yet complex structure, provokes a reflection: What if the answers we seek aren't always external, but instead, are found by looking inward? When faced with discomfort—whether emotional or physical—our instinct is typically to project outward, blaming external factors: other people, circumstances, or events. We might fixate on the “thing,” that negative experience, that difficult person. But herein lies the trap. Focusing solely on the external tends to lead us down a path of rumination, often culminating in frustration and an unending spiral. This mental cycle, left unchecked, moves in one direction—downward. Breaking this pattern requires us to challenge the urge to always look outward. Instead, we must create a mental space to reflect inward. This reflective space, which I call "The Curiosity Zone," offers us a route to interrupt the cycle of frustration and emotional spiralling.

Why Do We Struggle to Enter the Curiosity Zone?

The reason many of us fail to step into this zone lies in the fact that our minds and bodies are often far too activated. The mind races, and the body reacts with alertness—heart pounding, muscles tensing—as if preparing for a threat. When we are this activated, it is impossible to think clearly or reflect productively. When panic starts, thinking stops. Our physical and mental states feed off one another, perpetuating the cycle of tension. The key to breaking this loop is to shift from a passive stance—where we remain stuck in old, repetitive patterns of anger, anxiety, or avoidance—into an active one. We must move from unconscious reaction to conscious awareness. Only by doing this can we reduce the "temperature" of our emotions and create enough space to reflect with clarity.

The Obstacle: Over-Identification with Feelings

One of the greatest barriers to thinking inside the box is our tendency to over-identify with our feelings. Instead of simply experiencing emotions, we often become them. This over-identification is a form of control, an attempt to manage or contain uncomfortable emotions by letting them define us. But this strategy backfires: instead of dealing with uncomfortable feelings, we become stuck, unable to move forward. In reality, we need to allow ourselves to *feel* these uncomfortable emotions without trying to control them. It is only through acceptance that we can engage with our deeper selves and find clarity. Avoiding uncomfortable emotions doesn’t make them disappear; instead, it perpetuates the very cycle of frustration and reactivity we seek to escape.

How Does Transformation Happen?

Transformation happens when we can enter the Curiosity Zone—when we step away from reacting to external stimuli and give ourselves permission to reflect. From this place of reflection, we can look at the "thing" that has been troubling us with greater objectivity. We become capable of examining the issue from a distance, no longer trapped in the cycle of anger or withdrawal. In doing so, we take back control—not to suppress or manage our feelings but to engage with them in a healthy and constructive way. By observing the discomfort, we open the door to growth and insight. We move from being at the mercy of our emotions to engaging with them thoughtfully, allowing ourselves to feel without being consumed.

Reflections on Sosno’s Work: The Wisdom Within the Box

Returning to Sacha Sosno's sculpture, Thinking Inside the Box, the metaphor becomes even more meaningful. Sosno himself once said,

"I only do 50% of the work; other people have to finish creating the sculpture."

This idea resonates deeply within the therapeutic process. In therapy, just as in life, external structures—whether they be sculptures or coping mechanisms—can guide us, but it is up to us to complete the work from within. Sosno’s sculpture serves as a constant reminder that the key to understanding, wisdom and growth lies within the box, within us. The structure itself hints at this.

At night, the lighting inside changes, creating the illusion that the sculpture is “thinking.” This symbolic transformation invites onlookers to get curious and engage their own capacity for introspection. Much like Sosno’s unfinished sculpture, personal growth is a collaborative process between our external experiences and our inner reflections. We cannot solely rely on external solutions, nor can we exclusively dwell within our own minds. It is in the interplay between the two that real understanding happens.

Conclusion: Knowledge Lies Within

Sosno’s ‘Thinking Inside the Box’ provides an arresting visual metaphor for the necessity of inward reflection. When we fixate on external issues, we perpetuate a cycle of discomfort and frustration. Only by stepping into the Curiosity Zone—where we embrace reflection and allow ourselves to feel—can we interrupt this cycle and engage with our deeper selves.

Sosno’s message is clear: knowledge lies within. His sculpture and its shifting internal lights tease us to remember that true understanding cannot be found solely by looking outward. Transformation happens when we get comfortable with the uncomfortable, when we allow ourselves to look inside the box and engage with the wisdom it holds. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by external circumstances, take a moment to pause. Enter the Curiosity Zone. Rather than avoiding discomfort, embrace it as the key to transformation. After all, avoiding going inside the box has its consequences — you may well miss the very insight that leads to personal growth.