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The Art of Lying Fallow: Psychoanalyst Masud Khan on the Existential Salve for the Age of Cultish Productivity and Compulsive Distraction in Marginalian , a matchless, unique blog by Maria Popova, introduces the concept of "lying fallow," which was brought to life by psychoanalyst Masud Khan. He describes his new concept as: But while ‘flow’ is an experience we all seek, and one that is imperative for our creative success, Csikszentmihalyi himself warns us of its harmful addictive implications: A memory comes to mind when you mention il dolce far niente. When I was a child, my parents used to send me to stay with my grandmother while they were at work. She was a warm and caring woman who spent all day doing housework and taking care of her grandkids. Now the question is how can we incorporate the beauty of 'dolce far niente' into our daily lives? One way is to prioritise rest and relaxation. Whether it is taking a leisurely walk in the park, enjoying a cup of tea while reading a good book, or simply taking a nap, it is important to make time for activities that allow us to disconnect and recharge.
Your mind deserves serenity just as much as your body deserves to rest. So give yourself permission every single day to take a few minutes and simply be. Sit idle for a little while, just enough for your soul to bathe in that sweet oasis of love. Because you know what? There’s more to life than just doing, there’s also the joy of being— the essence of what it means to be a human being. On one of those days where I did absolutely nothing, I found myself sitting on a bench in front of two large pine trees while sipping an afternoon coffee. I sat there, allowing the sunshine to warm my face, and marveled at how the rays filtered through the branches and dappled the green grass below. The zone is that space between the physical and spiritual world where we experience is what psychologist Csikszentmihalyi coined as “flow state.” It’s a mental state in which we become so fully immersed and absorbed in what we’re doing that we totally lose ourselves in it.
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Take breaks. Savor the moments. And give yourself permission to pause and simply be. How else will you notice the beauty all around you and the simple things life has to offer? Whilst we often talk about getting things done more efficiently, part of this is so that you do have time to yourself. Dedicate a tiny daily ritual for doing nothing. In the mornings, I would usually journal with my morning coffee. Now, I no longer do it. I simply sit on my chair on the balcony and drink my coffee in silence. In the afternoons, on the days that I can, I’m taking 30 minutes to have a cup of tea and relax. What’s a tiny daily ritual you can implement that would allow your mind and body to just shut down for a little while? It was written at a time when the concept of doing nothing was imposed on me due to current circumstances, rather than an active choice. Although I tried to take this in my stride and embrace the gaps of nothing that seemed to swallow up my days, I was relieved when I transitioned into a different and busier phase of life.
The problem is that this philosophy blurs the line and spills into our personal life as well. And when it lingers for far too long, it can have damaging consequences on our mental health, well-being, and ultimate creative output. In a 2018 article published on CNBC.com, the correlation between some of the biggest leaders in business and their intuitive decision-making processes was examined further. Steve Jobs said, “Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion.” He attributed his success to his ability to tap into this powerful intuition, which is only made possible by doing nothing—through stillness. Perhaps that’s why we feel guilty and anxious when we’re not working. Perhaps that’s why we continue to blindly adhere and bow down to our should’s and must’s, but fail to make time for ourselves to simply pause, reflect, and cast a gaze inward to ask ourselves these two imperative questions:Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family. The potential benefits of embracing “Il dolce far niente” are vast. Numerous studies suggest that taking time for relaxation and leisure can profoundly impact our mental and physical well-being. Make time for friends and family, nurturing relationships that bring joy, laughter, and support to your life. 5. Slow down Sometimes I saw her putting a chair outside, on her front doorstep, and sitting down for a while just watching the street, greeting neighbors and waiting for the sunset. If I asked her: “Nonna, che fai qui?” (“Grandma, what are you doing here?”), she always answered “niente” (nothing).
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