What’s new? Maybe you will find the answer as you spend hours scrolling and swiping mindlessly. Because in a world centered around finding the next big thing, constant stimulation is prized. Why would anyone sit idle when they could be doing so much more?
It is commonplace to think of empty-headedness as dullness. Boredom is a waste of time and, thus, a waste of valuable resources. But is that really true?
Today, the immediate reaction to feeling bored is consuming some sort of media, which in the digital world is extremely easy. But simply keeping yourself busy is not development. It will not foster actual creativity and growth. Perhaps, stillness is the key.
There is something special about slowing down and simply soaking in life. The article below teaches you the value of empty time — the time you can slow down.
So, what’s empty time?
Empty time is simply a period of time where nothing of great importance happens.
Empty time is intentional. It is not time idling away but rather a couple of intentional minutes or hours taken for rejuvenation. For a more thorough understanding of this concept, look at its philosophical roots.
Broadly, Eastern (including those of China, India, Japan, etc.) and Western cultures (some European countries and the industrialized American nations) seem to view time differently. Thus, their perception of empty time is also different.
The West views time as a river. For them, time is ever flowing forward with nothing to look back to, making the Western people more inclined towards innovation and progression. For the East, though, often time is cyclic, like the changing season. The past matters as much as the future, making sometimes the Eastern people less likely to accept change.
Because the East values the past, it also engages actively in reflection in the present.
Many activities of stillness, like meditation and mindfulness, originated in the East. The reason behind this is the East’s emphasis on reflecting on and learning from the past, making these activities a normal part of life.
Therefore, there are two ways to look at empty time. From the Western perspective, empty time can be a time of rest and respite. From the Eastern perspective, empty time is a time of reflection. Both are equally important for well-being and productivity.
Why is empty time so important?
Blaise Pascal, renowned mathematician and physicist, once said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Through this quote, Pascal emphasizes the eternal clash of boredom and productivity, describing the common phenomenon of detesting boredom. This detest comes from the fear of the unknown.
Today, if people do have empty time, they are unable to embrace it. They find it difficult to even allow for empty time intentionally when they are bored and have nothing to do.
But this is a missed opportunity because when you have nothing else to do, your mind starts wandering towards the possibility of something revolutionary. For example, take fireworks. If you have ever found fireworks beautiful, you should know they exist only because an alchemist in China got bored.
The world today values maximum output, maximum profit, and maximum productivity. However, this is not sustainable for well-being. Practicing stillness occasionally can open your eyes to the benefits of boredom and empty time. Let’s explore these benefits further in the next section.
Why should you embrace empty time?
Empty time, boredom, and stillness are all close relatives and vastly similar concepts. The benefits of embracing empty time and letting go of the need to control your time are remarkable.
Upgraded self-awareness
Practicing stillness involves intentionally turning one’s attention inward to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences. By observing without judgment, you can gain self-awareness, understand patterns, and recognize your true desires and strengths.
Through stillness, you can access your inner wisdom, which is often obscured by daily busyness, leading to more aligned decisions and a purposeful life.
Improved emotional regulation
A study of mindfulness on neural responses discovered that long-term practice of mindfulness during intentional free time leads to emotional stability. Such practice promotes the acceptance of emotional states and enhanced present-moment awareness.
This can regulate mental stability and help build emotional resilience through improved emotional quotient (EQ).
Read more: Understanding the Role of Emotions: How Emotional Intelligence Helps
Enhanced decision-making
A program called ‘Let’s be Still’ found that learning and practicing stillness provided the students with various mental tools. They were reported to be calm, relaxed, and settled. They also knew how to deal with conflict and to have a break from the busyness of their everyday lives.
This settled state allows you to focus and develop a more polarized way of thinking, leading you to establish useful goals and decisions.
Funny how the skills needed to improve productivity, as mentioned above, are achieved by not being “productive.” Life is all about balance. By enhancing these skills (a few of many), empty time will make your life simply better.
How can you add ‘empty time’ into daily life?
Empty time will occupy some of your ‘free’ time. The benefits of empty time can only be achieved through habitual practice; occasional dabbling will actually be just a waste of time. Here are some tips for incorporating empty time in your daily life:
Practicing daily
Life can get busy. Dedicating time to things like meditation may not seem plausible, but it’s not as complicated as you might think.
Wake up in the morning (on time) and take 5 minutes to close your eyes in the position you woke up in. Let your thoughts flow naturally. Let them take you wherever they want to go. And you’re all set. Yes, you do not need to do an asana or recite a chant. Repeat this occasionally throughout the day or at night before sleeping.
Do not look at any digital device before and during this time. At night, simply go to sleep, and do not look at a screen after the practice, either.
Stimulating creativity
One of the best parts of empty time is the hidden potential it can uncover. A wandering mind tends to cross the most unconventional ideas that you may have never thought of consciously.
Have you ever experienced a sudden moment of realization about a solution to a problem you had been unable to solve for a really long time? Think back; most likely, it happened while your mind was wandering, maybe even during an empty time.
These kinds of ‘revelations’ only come about when you let your brain take a break from all the busyness. Now that your mind is truly free to explore, it goes on a discovery journey that inadvertently helps with your creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Switching things up
A monotonous routine can keep you functioning. But very quickly it can also kill the human spirit of discovery. Inspirations start to fall short in a narrow-sighted life. Broadening your horizons is important and can only be done if you switch things up a little bit. This can be your chance to have fun with personal growth.
You can do this by perhaps trying to meet new people. Go to events, try out new places to eat, or relax on the weekends. If you have the means, consider traveling. Take different kinds of trips, like adventure trips and leisure trips.
A simpler switch-up can be trying out different routes for your regular journeys, switching up meals (at home or outside), trying different hobbies, etc.
These simple switch-ups can also help you recognize the activities you enjoy during your empty time, motivating you to pursue them regularly and thus making room for empty time daily.
Read more: The Benefits of Hobbies and Interests Outside of Work
In conclusion
In a world obsessed with constant busyness, reclaiming empty time feels almost radical. Yet, as we’ve seen, embracing stillness unlocks a trove of benefits.
By incorporating empty time into your day, you cultivate self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and uncover hidden creativity. Don’t underestimate the power of simply being.
Start small — a quiet morning meditation or a walk without distractions — and witness the transformative impact on your well-being and productivity.
Make space for some empty time, and watch yourself thrive.
If you would like to see more resources on doing nothing, check out the Personal Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Personal Science Labs today.
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