The Benefit of “Chunks of Empty Space”

“There is more simplicity in the man who eats caviar on impulse than in the man who eats Grape-Nuts on principle.” — G.K. Chesterton

In the December 12, 2009 edition of the NY Times, Sylvia Ann Hewlett writes about how corporations who offer flextime to workers find it a “win-win” situation (Flexible Hours Can be a Win-Win).

It was her answer to a question about how she unwinds that caught my attention, however. Instead of giving the trite answer of doing yoga or working out she replied, “Nothing. Nothing at all. What I crave more than anything are chunks of empty space — no expectations, no agendas.”

Her audience of women went wild.

Doing nothing — or doing whatever you want in the moment without any goal in mind — isn’t something we come by instinctively. America has a solid work ethic that goes back to our Puritan mothers and fathers who had to maximize time due to having to survive a grueling environment.

As a to-do list oriented person with an ingrained work ethic that started with my first job — a paper route at age 11 — I find myself craving and relishing the chunks of empty space where I’m free to read, nap or putter around the house.

When I get these chunks of time, I purposely steer clear of any work-related thoughts and focus on just enjoying the moment, such as sipping a cup of tea in the silence of my house while taking in the beauty of winter sunshine filling my kitchen.

The air is still — as are my thoughts. No work, no agenda, no to-do list. Just the peace and quiet of . . . nothing.

I usually come back to the “real world” refreshed, relaxed and focused.

Do you make time to do nothing? How do you feel about it?

Hat tip to work-life balance coach Sharon Teitelbaum for telling me about this article — and for her post, “Pajama Thanksgiving.”