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In today’s world, it is extremely difficult to switch off and reflect on our lives. We all have something to do. Even when we think that we are relaxing, we really do not. So it is really important that we need to learn the skills to do absolutely nothing.
In her book, How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell argues that if we stop and take notice of the things around us, we will begin to see a more meaningful existence in our lives.
“Our very idea of productivity is premised on the idea of producing something new, whereas we do not tend to see maintenance and care as productive in the same way.”
Jenny Odell
If you don’t snooze, you will lose
In today’s world, the boundaries between work, rest, and leisure are disappearing quickly. As time becomes an economic resource, we all see “doing nothing” as a waste of time. But in reality, to be able to produce quality work, we need to know when to stop and do absolutely nothing.
Our lives don’t have to be measured in terms of productivity
Productivity is not the measurement of our values, instead doing nothing has a direct effect on our productivity. According to the ancient Chinese story, “Useless Tree”, a carpenter sees an oak tree useless, because of its twisted branches that were not good for timber. On the other hand, the tree was large enough to shade several thousand oxen and people. It grew old in a wasteland and was so useful for oxen and a lot of people, who wanted to take refuge under its shade. So, when we reappraise what is valuable, our lives become more meaningful.
Doing nothing is more valuable than trying to do a lot
We all have to-do lists, checklists and tasks to finish. More we tick out of the list; more productive we are. But, by only doing nothing we can reflect on our actions. Doing nothing allows us to pay attention to the world around us.
Admiring the sunset, feeling the wind, smelling the plants and the air, listening to the birds; all these things can help us to appreciate the world around us. It helps us to get away from all the hustle and bustle of our busy life.
Silence is the key to your brain’s processing power
“It is with acts of attention that we decide who to hear, who to see, and who in our world has agency. In this way, attention forms the ground not just for love, but for ethics.”
Jenny Odell
To train yourself to be more attentive, you need to be aware of what your brain is processing already. To help you achieve this, silence and doing nothing is the key. Once you embrace silence, you can widen your perspective and increase your brain’s processing power.
Looking at the world from own point of view is recipe for disaster
This way, you will take everything personal. It will be about your hunger, your desire to get home, and your tiredness. Everyone else will appear as an obstacle and everything will irritate you. Looking at the world from your own point of view will lead to a stressful and frustrating life.
By changing your perspective, you’ll become more understanding of the world around you
But changing your perspective can be challenging. The best way to start this process is by focussing and thinking through other people’s motivation. You will see that their reality is as complex as yours. By looking at the world this way, you will live a calmer and peaceful life.
Final Say
Doing nothing is actually doing something more valuable than any other tasks we do. We pay attention and notice to the world around us. If we don’t have time to do this simple and effortless task, we won’t be able to find deeper, more satisfying meaning in everyday experiences.