It helps me realize that even doing nothing is doing something . It is less about rest and more about self-sovereignty. When the noise stops, the self begins.
i love this so much and one of my biggest challenges is resting. even when i do i always find a way to convince myself i need to do something (clean, create, exercise, cook...) to be far there isn't enough time in the day most days to do everything but that's not the only reason i have a hard time really relaxing and i know. this was so RICH. i love your work. tomorrow on my day off, i'm going to do NOTHING all morning.
you filled my HEART with this ❤️❤️❤️ thank you so much. and i was on the same page as you always and realized i was acting like a maniac and needed to make it stop. i couldn’t even stand next to a microwave for 30 seconds without needing to this fill those seconds with “something to do.” wild. definitely let me know how the nothing experience went 💌
i’m so happy my comments mean something to you! update, today i sat on the beach and stared, swam in the ocean and laughed, and layed in my bed, slightly bored, a bit antsy but resting nonetheless. it’s definitely a skill that requires practice in this day and age.
I really enjoyed reading this. One of the most healing things for me and my creativity was the reading deprivation week from Artist's Way. That included tv, social media, all kinds of written word and I caught myself reading labels just for the sake of it, haha. Reading addiction really is a thing. Thank you for writing this. Looking forward to more of it!
Unfortunately, I ran into your warm storey a little too late. But i know I will return to finish this relaxing moment, strolling along the arts and the words.
This is a beautiful and necessary essay and I absolutely loved it!! It made me think of waiting rooms, where everyone present will most likely be on their phone because simply sitting in silence is ‘unacceptable’. I love doing nothing! 🤍💫
If we die without having sat with ourselves in silence, we will die never knowing who we truly are.. I had this thought while sitting quietly eating dinner after reading your essay, doing nothing but just sitting and eating. Beautiful thought provoking essay. <333
wow this is the most beautiful takeaway i’ve read elicited from my writing. i really appreciate that — the fact that you were thinking about this after dinner and sat with it and came to share with me once you had time to critically think about your feelings — means the world.
“in between our individually swamped lives, my partner and i try to date each other a lot. and we’re all tinsel and dimples when we do it. we cook. we camp. we go to the movies. we drive around the canyons listening to podcasts about our civic duties. we walk and gripe about the rudderlessness of the modern city life. we vent profusely over life’s generous conundrums.”
Do you watch Mina Le? She has a video about not needing to be productive 24/7 - I think you might enjoy! She adds some historical research and viewpoints, especially in this realm of doing nothing/staring at the ceiling.
Unfortunately, I’m a serial hobbyist and need to learn to exist and soak in the silence…. To not constantly be entertained. To stare at the ceiling, in your words. I’m working on it, trying to rest even from hobbies.
It helps me realize that even doing nothing is doing something . It is less about rest and more about self-sovereignty. When the noise stops, the self begins.
that’s beautifully said, justin! thank you. i love the line the self begins!
i love this so much and one of my biggest challenges is resting. even when i do i always find a way to convince myself i need to do something (clean, create, exercise, cook...) to be far there isn't enough time in the day most days to do everything but that's not the only reason i have a hard time really relaxing and i know. this was so RICH. i love your work. tomorrow on my day off, i'm going to do NOTHING all morning.
you filled my HEART with this ❤️❤️❤️ thank you so much. and i was on the same page as you always and realized i was acting like a maniac and needed to make it stop. i couldn’t even stand next to a microwave for 30 seconds without needing to this fill those seconds with “something to do.” wild. definitely let me know how the nothing experience went 💌
i’m so happy my comments mean something to you! update, today i sat on the beach and stared, swam in the ocean and laughed, and layed in my bed, slightly bored, a bit antsy but resting nonetheless. it’s definitely a skill that requires practice in this day and age.
this is officially the best post I have read on substack. oh my god. thank you so much for this
this is the most generous. thank you so much for it ❤️❤️
I really enjoyed reading this. One of the most healing things for me and my creativity was the reading deprivation week from Artist's Way. That included tv, social media, all kinds of written word and I caught myself reading labels just for the sake of it, haha. Reading addiction really is a thing. Thank you for writing this. Looking forward to more of it!
Unfortunately, I ran into your warm storey a little too late. But i know I will return to finish this relaxing moment, strolling along the arts and the words.
that’s so kind of you to say. this one means a lot to me. a special piece. so appreciate you reading it. looking forward to staying in touch x
This is a beautiful and necessary essay and I absolutely loved it!! It made me think of waiting rooms, where everyone present will most likely be on their phone because simply sitting in silence is ‘unacceptable’. I love doing nothing! 🤍💫
thank you so much for the wonderful words! very true. sitting in silence with people is an underrated form of connection. lovely hearing from you!
I really loved this !
Adding this to my saved!!
yay!
This made me want to curl up with a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and let myself feel more okay, I really loved it 🥹 ty for sharing ☪️❤️❤️❤️
that makes me so happy, because you got the message! 🤍🤍🤍 thank you so much for reading 💋
oh my god i'm obsessed with you
LOL 🤍🤍🤍 so stoked i met you
If we die without having sat with ourselves in silence, we will die never knowing who we truly are.. I had this thought while sitting quietly eating dinner after reading your essay, doing nothing but just sitting and eating. Beautiful thought provoking essay. <333
wow this is the most beautiful takeaway i’ve read elicited from my writing. i really appreciate that — the fact that you were thinking about this after dinner and sat with it and came to share with me once you had time to critically think about your feelings — means the world.
“in between our individually swamped lives, my partner and i try to date each other a lot. and we’re all tinsel and dimples when we do it. we cook. we camp. we go to the movies. we drive around the canyons listening to podcasts about our civic duties. we walk and gripe about the rudderlessness of the modern city life. we vent profusely over life’s generous conundrums.”
LOVE
bahahahah! thank you you’re the absolute best
This feels so calming, so wise and so incredibly well written. You are a superstar writer!!
thank you so much — that means the world to me that you took time to read it and engage with it. you’re so amazing!
You’re very welcome :)
Doing nothing is an art form—one I’ve learned to cherish this year. Thank you for putting this into words.
thank you so much and thanks for reading ❤️ completely agree with you.
Anytime, I look forward to following your work!
Do you watch Mina Le? She has a video about not needing to be productive 24/7 - I think you might enjoy! She adds some historical research and viewpoints, especially in this realm of doing nothing/staring at the ceiling.
Unfortunately, I’m a serial hobbyist and need to learn to exist and soak in the silence…. To not constantly be entertained. To stare at the ceiling, in your words. I’m working on it, trying to rest even from hobbies.
i know of her!!! i know she does amazing videos. i’ll look this up.
i feel you and i’m just like you. try to watching the water steam thing — that really helped me slow down as a hobby.
i need to stop being hard on myself. breathe and appreciate life. i love how i learnt a few things from this piece. thanks for sharing ❤️