The Lost Art of Doing Nothing
Peaceful. Calm. Relaxed. Remember what those felt like? In the age of productivity, we’ve learned to maximize our time and make every minute count. With TiVo, we’ve even discovered a new way to make recreational television watching an activity to be checked off the to-do list. (Got groceries? Check. Cleaned the shower? Check. Cleared out last week’s episode of Prison Break? Check.)
In the march towards efficiency, we’ve made some very serious sacrifices. Think about it: when was the last time you were completely unproductive? I’ll give you a minute to think back that far… It’s time to reclaim our free time by practicing the Lost Art of Doing Nothing.
I’ll give you fair warning: the first time you try these techniques, you may feel strange, and even slightly uncomfortable. However, with time, please rest assured that it will become easier and even quite pleasurable.
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Remove any productivity enhancers from your immediate vicinity. This includes computers, PDAs, to-do lists, phones, and any books that are not written by Judith Krantz or feature a monster or Fabio on the cover (Was that redundant?).
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Cleanse the area of productivity enablers. Bosses, children, certain spouses, and family members are often enablers of the productive lifestyle. If you’re to truly embrace doing nothing, you’ll need to be free from any disapproving stares (at least until they start joining you).
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Select a position that will provide optimum comfort. The most common position is laying lengthwise on a couch or divan, though recliners are another popular locale. You may also choose to lay directly on the floor and stare at the ceiling for maximum nothingness. You may also choose to utilize auditory data to enhance the nothingness experience. Seventies rock and early ‘90s pop are officially recommended.
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Commence doing nothing.
Add Value by Accomplishing Nothing
Okay, this all turned out a bit more facetious and satirical than I originally intended, but I believe in it nonetheless. It’s okay to do nothing every once in a while. Not every post in your reader has to be read, just like not every minute of the day has to be spent accomplishing something.
Give your mind and body a break. Whether you choose to simply listen to music, to snooze, or to just stare at the walls, you’re creating balance in an otherwise busy life. Take a few moments each day, or some big moments when you can make time, to practice the Lost Art of Doing Nothing.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:23 am
When I started to do nothing, I started to do the things I needed to do MUCH better. After all - I would multi task meditation and sleep if I could.. it was very emotionally taxing. This made me giggle and I even felt awkward as I read it because I am still learning how to take a time out (mom says I seriously don’t know how to relax.. just because I freaked out about not being near the internet.. just in case.. during a weekend getaway. So sue me.
)
Thank you for making a great point that I really hope people apply.
I will certainly try harder to do.. um.. nothing
June 16th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Doing nothing certainly is a “lost art”, as you say. Busy lives can burn us out.
Ironically, I find that it’s when I relax and do nothing that the ideas really flow. It’s so easy to let our daily business drown out those little sparks of creativity.
My “chill out” times are fab, something I look forward to. I feel so refreshed that it’s as if my batteries are recharged- quite literally.
And I don’t feel in the least bit guilty afterwards!
Nor should anyone, as the positive effects on our wellbeing are priceless.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Here, here! And I think Scott brings up a great point in that when we relax our brains, the ideas come. For example, how many great ideas have come to people in the shower? (I wish there was some way to document this.)
You always hear of initial ideas being scribbled out on a napkin while eating dinner or having drinks - not in the office.
Thanks for the post!
June 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I did close to nothing this past saturday and it was wonderful. i do try to take 1 day off a month and do nothing and not feel guilty about it. I call it Vegetate Day….I just sit on my rump and flip through the channels. We all need that once in a while
June 16th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Love this post.
Unfortunately, it seems like I only ever manage to really do nothing when we’re on vacation. However, when we’re on vacation, I really am VERY good about disconnecting myself from ALL technology sources and just relaxing.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Ha ha! That was a good one. I’m usually one of those productivity junkies on weekdays and sometimes over the weekends. But I do allow myself some ‘do nothing’ time over the weekends and holidays. Ahh!! the joy of getting up late in the morning, or better yet…not getting up at all in the morning (noon gives a perfect weekend wakeup environment). It sure helps that hubby dearest is the one who is not always into a rush to accomplish things, he’s way more easy going, it annoys me sometimes, at other times ..its contagious, and it feels wonderful.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Here in Panama it’s always warm and the beaches are close-by. I actually have the relaxing thing under control: just look for the spot where the waves stop before rolling back into the ocean, lie down, and become one with the sand and the ocean. Ah, I know what I’ll be doing this weekend.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Hi Sara,
I was doing nothing earlier this evening. I had my blog post ready to go, so I sat down, flipped through some magazines and aimlessly watched “The Bachelorette”. It’s one of those silly reality shows that doesn’t need your undivided attention, but I like that it will probably have a happy ending.
It seems like every time I do nothing and stay away from my computer, I come back filled with creativity, raring to go.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:30 am
See what I mean, Sara? Vered and Marelisa are on every blog!
I haven’t done nothing in so long that it’s more than a lost art for me; totally forgotten art, too!
Nice blog you have here, Sara. Consider yourself added to my feed reader
June 17th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Most of the time, I’m doing a lot but accomplishing nothing (nothing meaningful anyway). The nothing you speak of means not doing anything but accomplishing a lot.
Sounds good to me.
July 26th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Might that be finally a sort of meditation I can enjoy? Besides running.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Thanks, this is awesome. Yes, it seemed kind of funny to see it in writing… but it is something we all forget to do! Or not do. Ack. Anyways, I love it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
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