Personal Growth
Modern life can get us tangled into a series of distractions. On top of work and important duties, we absorb endless streams of media, subdued into the madness. Because connectivity and consumerism is the world we live in now. It is not entirely a bad thing. Yet, turning off the noise requires designation, intentions, and purpose.
So it seems challenging to rest nowadays.
True rest embraces downtimes. To not only look forward to it but rather thrilled about not doing anything. Where work does not interweave with the non-working moments. A time where we recover our minds and bodies from exhaustion.
Rest is not the same as boredom and procrastination. Procrastination delays action or goal. Boredom is an unpleasant feeling. We feel discontent with the activity or inactivity we don’t particularly enjoy. Boredom and procrastination might overlap with rest and downtime. But this feeling can be a catalyst for change. Nonetheless, it is an opportunity for thought and reflection. Discontent allows an opportunity for change and growth. It’s something to be grateful for.
In the mundane activity sites an adjacent possibility where our knowings show up. The ‘aha’ moments and best ideas are found during breaks. Our mind is free from deep focus, open to exploring in the idle or novel state.
“Rest nurtures creativity, which nurtures activity. Activity nurtures rest, which sustains creativity. Each draws from and contributes to the other.” – Kim John Payne, Simplicity Parenting
The two dynamics of creation are rest and unrest. One is reliant on the other to make both possible.
Our thoughts need time to settle down before creativity emerges. Rest is a safe haven where insights and creative minds come forth. Pair with creative thoughts, insights flourish.
An insight is not the same as an observation. It’s a synthesis of a series of brain processes looking into different times and experiences. It is the power of seeing and understanding why something is how it is. It allows our minds to think and understand something we knew all along. A time to relax enables the mind to put together connections that could peak an insight.
High-quality rest leads to high-quality work. Working requires our attention and stretches of concentration. This energy is a limited supply. We must allow recovery time that can get us back to greater performance.
What is ideal in your situation and what is possible? Here are some methods that I’ll share with you.
We don’t have to let our lives be carried by the winds of circumstance. While being mindful of current events, remember to put our focus on what is in our circle of influence. Put your efforts into what you can control. When you know what you’re aiming for, you will make your way to meet your goal. The purpose is so you can function, be productive in your life, and be a better person.
Not doing things halfway results in time well spent. Our most productive, intentional moments manifest with time, energy, and focus. Be mindful that, even in our downtime, we may be present but not there. We may be watching the kids, but not engaged and connected. We may have been waiting for a vacation at the beach. Then while at the beach, we find us scrolling at our phones for an extended amount of time.
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Breathe. Wherever you are, be there. Feeling anxious and worried makes us stressed out. Walk. Stretch your legs. Don’t speed up the pace just to get to your next activity. Breathe and submit to the process.
Minimalism is something I had been dabbling with in the last few years. Joshua from ‘Becoming Minimalist’ defines minimalism as ‘the intentional promotion of things we most value, and the removal of those that do not’.
Defining our intentions adds room for our downtimes, by eliminating what gets in the way. We start to live that which brings value. When we are mindful of things we want to bring more into our lives, we experience quality moments.