Yes! I am very familiar with this tension (must do! No, don’t!), even as a retired person. We can know the power of rest, but still get caught in that crazy, yes capitalist, imperative we were raised on. You do a great service by spreading the secret: it does not have to be that way!
I heard a podcast host I admire talk about how he schedules “do nothing” time daily. That’s when he sits on the couch, no device of any kind within reach or powered on, and does nothing. He’ll think, he’ll let his mind wander, (he won’t nap), and then he returns to the tasks after 15-30 minutes. Must add this to the day. Sounds hopefully amazing.
I might write a whole substack about how essential daydreaming & nondoing is. We have lost a lot of it due to phones. But it can be recaptured, and even 5 minutes on the couch do nothing will make a difference in your brain, I promise!
Truly love this, Julia! And it came at the right moment because I've been itching to get back to work on a novel, and just this morning I realized that all the time I'm spending thinking about it IS working on it. :) Glad you're resting, recharging, and renewing. Happy holidays!
Yes! I am very familiar with this tension (must do! No, don’t!), even as a retired person. We can know the power of rest, but still get caught in that crazy, yes capitalist, imperative we were raised on. You do a great service by spreading the secret: it does not have to be that way!
I enjoyed your article. There’s no way to force creativity. We all start writing when we’re ready.
I heard a podcast host I admire talk about how he schedules “do nothing” time daily. That’s when he sits on the couch, no device of any kind within reach or powered on, and does nothing. He’ll think, he’ll let his mind wander, (he won’t nap), and then he returns to the tasks after 15-30 minutes. Must add this to the day. Sounds hopefully amazing.
I might write a whole substack about how essential daydreaming & nondoing is. We have lost a lot of it due to phones. But it can be recaptured, and even 5 minutes on the couch do nothing will make a difference in your brain, I promise!
Truly love this, Julia! And it came at the right moment because I've been itching to get back to work on a novel, and just this morning I realized that all the time I'm spending thinking about it IS working on it. :) Glad you're resting, recharging, and renewing. Happy holidays!
Glad it landed & I'm not alone :) Happy holidays to you too friend!