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The first time I really started to think about myself and whether I was happy with my own life, I was on a two-week vacation at my family's home to take the driver's licence exam. My mother and sister were working, and most of the time, I just had nothing to do, except for my 8AM driving lessons. At first, I was bored. But after a week, I had started a life changing questioning path, and when I came home after two weeks, I was more rested than I had been in years.
This experience makes me believe that, as human beings, we need time off. Not only vacation from work, or travels - which are great too - but an actual break, physical and mental, from the everyday life we rush into without looking around.
Our Judeo-Christian culture's Sunday is a proof of that. Others may have a different day, or a different way of expressing it, but every traditional culture has some sort of time off, over the week, over the year. Quiet time to regain energy and prepare for the season to come, to stick our heads out of the everyday routine and free our minds to reflect upon ourselves and others.
But in today's society, I feel we are forgetting to take some quiet time off. I may be wrong, but I feel like we rush from work to home obligations, from week-ends out with friends to carefully prepared holidays, without actually giving ourselves the luxury to stop and just do nothing at all. Why is that? Is it uncomfortable to face ourselves and all the questions we refuse to ask? Have we simply forgotten how regenerating it can be?
Ever since that driver's licence summer, I have implemented the "quiet time" habit in my life, to face my own emotions and questions, reflect upon the past year's achievements and lessons, and think about my future projects and priorities. Each year, I take a week off work and leave town - not for a fancy travel but to a quiet place - and enjoy slow days of reading, writing, walking, exercising, or doing nothing - napping, whatever. No obligations, no schedule, just quiet time.
I have already approached the subject of meditation, which is, I think, a smaller everyday method to enjoy quiet time all year long, and I have decided to start implementing this habit in my daily life as well.
What about giving it a shot yourself? You don't have to get off the grid for two weeks, but what about trying not to plan anything for just one week-end, or even one day, and see what happens? Maybe you already have quiet time in your life, don't hesitate to share your own experience in the comment section!
Also, Anuschka invited me over to her blog Into Mind for a guest post in her Style Profile series, if you are interested in checking it out!
Oh yes I totally agree. I have one day a week where I don't answer the phone and take the time to relax and re-energise. Other days I sometimes set the internet to go off so that I can't lose track of time browsing. I love going on holidays/walks/road trips with my husband and being away from computers and phones. I can't function without my quiet time. (Just discovered your blog this week, love it!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind note! It's a good idea to take a break from technology as well during these quiet periods, rediscover all the other things we can do instead. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteLove your post on Into-Mind first off. Secondly, this cannot be more true to me yesterday. I've been basically running like a chicken with its head cut off to work, all the events in the city, packed my schedule on weekends to experience much of DC. I feel like I'm 20, I should have all the energy and desire to fulfill my potential as part of the young if you know what I mean. Yesterday I snapped. I felt so sick I am not sure what I had but I spent the entire day sleeping and then when I felt like I could not sleep any more, read. It was a recharge day and I have been so hectic about everything that I neglected to pay attention to what I needed. This post could not have been more timely.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's true that we tend to forget to take our time when we are in a new and transitional situation because we want to do as much as possible while we can. I remember being that way during my first months in Japan. Then I discovered I could enjoy the discovery moments way better if I wasn't tired (which sounds obvious, said like that)... I hope your day off re-energized you and that you enjoy DC a lot!
DeleteThank you for this post. I have always wanted a technology free day during the week. Now I must put my plan into action! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it helps! Good luck for your technology free day :)
DeleteLove this post. And I think it is absolutely true, and becomes truer as technology becomes more and more integral in every minute of our day, but also because of the culture of stress that we live in, one in which busy and stressed-out are signs of productive participation in society. And while it's not practical to think that will change, I do love the idea of being able to actually slow down and quiet down enough to hear yourself for a bit. We all need an occasional breather. The tough part comes in remembering to give yourself one, and allowing yourself to enjoy it.
ReplyDeletewww.nomadicd.com
It is true that in our society, being busy and running around is seen very positively, as being active and productive. On the other hand, doing nothing has quite a negative aura, of laziness and apathy. I think we need to learn to overcome this stereotype and allow ourselves some time off without feeling guilty about it... As you say, allowing ourselves to enjoy it, very true!
DeleteVery refreshing post.
ReplyDeleteI was raised by parents who didn't spend the whole week-end going out and doing all sorts of activities. And I guess it influenced my adult lifestyle a lot.
I enjoy meeting my friends and will go out if I feel like going out. But there are days when I want it peaceful and quiet and I have no problem spending the whole Sunday at home not doing much.
Unfortunately, many people still give me suspicious/pityful looks if I tell them about an uneventful week-end, as if I have no real life. How sad!
That's very true! Nowadays people expect us to go out every day, always be where the "action" is, and staying in on a Saturday night can be seen as being a "loser" or "having no life".
DeleteI think this is very stereotypical, one can enjoy slow time at home, this is also part of life's little pleasures. But as long as you are satisfied with your occupations, social or quiet, it doesn't matter much what other people think, does it?
Great post Kali! I am finally beginning to catch up on my blog reading again, and I saved your posts for last.. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you are absolutely right. It is the same whenever I go home to visit my family - it is a break from the norm way out in the countryside, and since I never bring my laptop with me anymore I am forced to do other things and get accustomed to a slower pace. I have chosen to view the end of my holidays and getting back to work as a perfect opportunity to make some new habits for myself, mainly spending more time outside and do more reading. I also took up journaling again earlier this year, and I find it a great way to reflect and sort my thoughts out. I also know for a fact that fall is a tough time for me mood-wise, with the days getting shorter and darker, so I am hoping that these new habits might make the transition a bit easier :)
Oh and AMEN to Harmony above me. I love do-nothing weekends.
Ah so you're back, I hope you took a lot of pics from New York!
DeleteIt is true that it helps to slow down when you don't bring your laptop or other electronics with you. I also ban TV on these weeks (at least TV series, since I don't watch regular TV at home either) It is great that you have found the journaling habit to help sorting out stuff. I have been journaling for over 10 years now and it is like a personal psychologist of sorts (alhtough none of my diaries ever talked back at me, like, in a Harry Potter way haha )