Claiming the
Empty Spaces:
The Importance of Idle Time in a Fast-Forward World - 2
The importance of this
downtime cannot be overstated.
we see more clearly,
we hear more keenly
we’re more inspired
we discover what makes us feel alive.
On some level, we know
this already. But claiming time to ourselves, time that is often labeled
"unproductive", and sticking to it can be difficult. We need to establish
formal boundaries around our "idle" time to ensure we honor this time.
Some ways to do this are:
- Make a date with
yourself.
- Get to know someone
who deserves your attention—you.
- Stand firm. Learn how
to say "no" to co-workers, children, a spouse or a friend. In just a
short while, you can say "yes," but now is your time.
- Be specific about your
needs. "I’d like to spend 20 minutes by myself in the morning before
everyone gets up." Rather than "I need more time to myself."
- Be on the lookout for
stolen moments. Use the canceled dental appointment to sit on a park
bench watching pigeons.
- Practice doing
nothing. "Doing nothing" is an art, and like all art you need to
practice it to reach your highest potential.
- Do something that has
no purpose other than joy. Take a half-hour a day to surprise and
delight yourself. Keep it simple, and keep it consistent. If your idle
time becomes a "program," or becomes progress toward some productive
goal, begin again.
How we define idle time
varies by individual. For example, for one person, gardening may be
meditative downtime, whereas for another, it is one more item on the to-do
list (to be done as quickly as possible). The woods is a great place to
stroll through for one person, an opportunity to be in and with nature;
for another, it’s a great place for a power walk while dictating letters
into a small tape recorder.
Our idle time should be
like a beautiful flower: it has no purpose. It’s just there. And yet, it
refreshes us and reminds us of nature’s glory. It’s stunning, how simple
it really is.
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