{Image: Clock, Clock, Clock by Tangi Bertin on Flickr}
Raise your hand if you’d like another hour or two in your day?
I know mine is up.
Yesterday I decided it was time to stop. Not just slow down, but to come to a full halt.
Generally when I slow down, I’ll cut back on my time online. Take a break from whatever I’m doing and go play with the dog. Change my mindset from go-go-go to go-slow-go-slow (for a couple of days – or weeks – at the most).
But then life inevitably speeds up again. Work, kids, house, appointments, do-do-do. Not enough hours in the day. Hand up again.
So I’m going to stop.
I’m in fact going to do nothing.
No housework.
No jewellery biz.
No time online.
No company.
NOTHING.
Now the prospect of doing nothing – when there is so much something that needs doing – is quite daunting.
So I’ve made myself a do-nothing plan.
It goes like this:
1. Allocate 5-10 minutes a day to practise doing nothing (start small I say).
2. Decide on a space where I can do nothing. I’m thinking that if the weather is warm enough, outside will be perfect (blanket on the grass, feet in the dirt and stock up on some of that delicious sunlight vitamin D). If it’s too cold the couch (wiggle and squirm like a cat until I find my comfortable spot… although I’d be in danger of falling asleep – maybe not a bad thing) or in front of the fireplace (nice and warm, plus a mesmerizing fire to help with the meditative quality of nothing-ness).
3. Turn off all gadgets. Close the lid on the laptop, turn off the mobile, turn on the answering machine, make sure the washing machine isn’t on.
4. Sit. Close eyes. Do nothing.
5. Relax. Enjoy.
Will you join me in doing nothing?
