In today’s world, we are all over-scheduled – children and adults! Between work or school, hobbies, clubs, family responsibilities, etc., let’s face it, neither staff nor the students in our households have much down time. And, when any of us have free time, it’s often spent on the computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Being busy is not necessarily a bad thing. It keeps our minds engaged and keeps us interested and interesting, but…there is also, I believe, great value in doing nothing.
The Italians have a concept for this intentional lack of productivity: “La Dolce Far Niente,” which means "the sweetness of doing nothing."
As Americans, this just isn’t part of our culture, but Dr. Colleen Long, PsyD, in an article in Psychology Today, asks the critical question: “How different would your quality of life be if you made time throughout the day to experience la dolce far niente? Instead of using your free moments to catch up on what housewife bought what SUV on Hulu, instead of checking your email one last time, instead of using your free time to check your bank accounts or pay that cell phone bill—what if you just did nothing?”
Sound appealing? Unfortunately, many of us just aren’t wired that way. We expect to be on a treadmill of activity all the time. Michelle Williams, a columnist for Chopra, a website dedicated to self-care, explains: “If the idea of spending time relaxing and doing nothing is uncomfortable, you are not alone. Society has shifted toward prioritizing hyper-productivity, making the notion of doing nothing seem unproductive and inefficient. If there is time left unfilled during the day, there is an urge to fill it with something.”
Why do nothing? Williams suggests: “Start to think of time in solitude or engaging in a relaxing activity as an investment in your health, longevity, and well-being…Contrary to what you might think, being too busy can be counterproductive. Think of a washing machine that is crammed with too many clothes. Not much actual washing takes place because there is not enough space to move and churn. This same concept applies to life in general; you can use a little more space to help connect to the pulse of life and enjoy the pleasures it has to offer, no matter how small.”
How? Summer in Maine is the perfect place to revisit this skill. It doesn’t mean you have to just sit (although there’s nothing wrong with that); just don’t force yourself to be productive:
- Put away cell phones, tablets, and computers for at least some part of the day
- Star gaze
- Drive along a coastal road for fun
- Sit by the water
- Innertube on a lazy river
- Walk or Run on a trail
- Listen to the birds, frogs, and crickets
- Watch the lightning bugs at night - just sit and watch them
In these early days of summer, before the busyness of camps for children, family vacations, summer jobs, or summer school sets in, I encourage you all to take a day, or three days, or even a week to re-learn— or perhaps discover — the sweetness of doing nothing.
