I very much enjoyed reading the first chapter of The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life
Having said that, I hate to say that I had a difficult time doing nothing this first week. Throughout the week, doing nothing would pop into my brain while at work and I’d tell myself to remember to take those 15 minutes some time that evening. I’d get home, have dinner, run errands or spend time with my son, husband or both and then fall asleep in front of the laptop while checking emails or thinking about what I wanted to write. Only after I woke up to then go to bed did I realize I’d forgotten to do nothing. In the few moments I had to myself, I promptly fell asleep. Hrmpf! I have a busy life but it’s not THAT crazy that I shouldn’t be able to remember to do nothing. It’s what I really WANT to do…or is it?
I tell myself that I have to get my husband and son on board for this, and even though my son wouldn’t like it, the two of them would respect my wishes, I’m sure. I’d probably need to take 30 minutes so I could finally settle down after focusing too much on the noises I’d hear from the rest of the house. I have to ask myself though, do I fear those 15 minutes of nothing? Why could I not get my act together this week and remember to schedule it in? Do I not want to hear my own thoughts?
I’ve always thought of myself as a contemplative person. I could sit for long periods of time staring out the window into the green of my backyard and daydream about life, imagine all sorts of crazy things, and then come to as if I’d really been gone. It felt like what I imagine a deep meditative experience would feel like, my mind being in another place and time while my body was stationed on my dining room chair. Now, when I have moments to myself and the house is quiet, I feel restless and unsure of what to do. I finally have that time to myself and I blow it on indecision and feeling lost. Perhaps that is why I’ve struggled with doing nothing this past week. I don’t want to feel lost.
I don’t know, maybe this talk (mine) is all a bunch of hogwash. Regardless, as we step into a new week and a new ingredient for joy, I will make a bigger effort to schedule in time for nothing. I will also create a vision card for the first two ingredients for joy.
I look forward to reading how the week went for you!
If you’d like to read how other participants in The Next Chapter: The Joy Diet reading/blogging group handled their first week of nothing, please visit our host Jamie Ridler’s blog dedicated to this effort.
The great thing about this is you can keep attempting it.
I don’t think you are alone in finding this difficult to do. We really are programmed to be busy, to keep moving, to not stop. There is some “fear” in stopping to be idle for any length of time.
You are now mindful of this — you are questioning why you find it difficult to stop for that brief period and just “be”. It comes in steps, one day at a time. If you can only manage 1-5 minutes per day you have made a start. Then work your way up until you have claimed this for yourself. Maybe if you consider it a reward for a day well done, of work completed and obligations met. A treat for you. You’re worth that, aren’t you?
Oh I know how you feel about wasting precious time on indecision. I think having mini-retreat plans is helpful. I’ve been working some up for my new online workshop. You can make some of your own. Brainstorm how you might use 15, 30, 60 minutes or an afternoon. Then when you find yourself with a chunk of time you can look to your plans and use them as jumping off points.
The best part of this process is that we get to keep practicing our 15 minutes of nothingness.
Have a great week.
I know how you feel, I distract myself constantly so I don’t have to be alone with my own thoughts, I found this week difficult also but I found some time for nothing outside with nature. See you next week!
once you get the hang of nothing it gets a whole lot easier AND may even become addicting, at least it did for me
once you get the hang of nothing it gets a whole lot easier AND may even become addicting, at least it did for me
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
Doing nothing is a lot harder than we think. What is life, in this lifestyle we have been accustomed to prepares us to do nothing? It’s a learning process most of us have to go through. And we take it one step at a time. Together.
You aren’t alone in this search. Doing nothing is a lot harder than it sounds. But once you get the hang of it, can be refreshing/calming/energizing/wonderful! Here’s to the adventure called JOY!
Oh it’s not easy at all. Our lives can be so hectic but your willingness to find time leaves the door open for other attempts. It would be so nice for you to share this with you husband and son. Hope “Truth” will be easier for you this week. Take care.
I know I resist the things I need the most. Keep trying!
I have found the trick to doing nothing is to keep at it and keep trying new ways to make it happen. This how I found my way to a practice of nothing.
I think sometimes I end up putting something off, like this exercise, but I want the circumstances to be perfect so that I can do it “right”. This last week there were a couple of days when I wondered how I was going to fit in my quiet time – one day I just arrived at my grandson’s school a little early to pick him up – knowing that sitting in the car would make me have time. And one day when I was really tired, I just lay down with my feet on the wall and rested with stillness. Occasionally I’d feel the thought – “Don’t go to sleep!” because I knew I needed to go pick Marcus up a little later. But I was able to practice with some satisfaction.