I have a lot of energy. Some might call it restlessness. Or ants in the pants. There’s a yiddish word for that: it’s spelled “spilkes” – pronounced “shpil-kis.”
As I get older, I don’t seem to lose that so-called restlessness. And if I think about when it is at its all-time peak, there are a couple of things that come to mind: When the weather is warm. I stay holed up all winter; who wants to be inside during the warm months? When I don’t want to think about something. Staying busy is a good way to run away from bad/unpleasant thoughts.
But the world contributes to that busy-ness, don’t you think? Let’s face it, modern society tends to keep us running.
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There’s work, there’s home, there’s friends, entertaining, classes to take, exercise to do, movies and television shows to watch, places to go and things to see. The hours rush by, and there never seems to be enough time to get it all in. How many times has someone used the terms “crazy busy,” “overloaded,” “stressed-out busy,” “in high gear,” “burned out?” Feel free to add you own.
So what’s so bad about all that busy-ness? Well, for one thing, it gives us no down time. And without down time, how will our minds ever rest and reflect? It seems that the only time mine gets to do that is when I’m sleeping – but with the super-crazy, psychedelic-type, detailed and colorful dreams I tend to have most nights, it doesn’t really feel like it’s really resting, come to think of it. (But I sure have entertaining stories to tell the next morning.)
And then, when we do have time to think, what do we do? We listen to the radio or catch up on calls (hopefully not text) when in the car. We watch TV or read or listen to music while we exercise. Watch a movie, TV, or read on a flight. Read a magazine or newspaper while we wait for our friend to show up. Put the phone on speaker, rest it on the counter and cook while waiting for customer service. We even read while we’re sitting on the toilet. Okay, that one is permissible, I guess. It’s a time-honored tradition. Besides, what else is there to do? Some people I know do get their best reading done in the loo.
I’m not sure what the answer is. Or even what the questions are, for that matter. Are we running away from our thoughts by doing these things? Afraid to get inside our own heads – if we can even recognize or locate them anymore? Or is the pull of these things just so irresistible that we do them for fear of missing out?
I always say that inspiration, creativity and solutions to the world’s most vexing problems hit when you least expect it – and when I think about it, those times are when your mind is totally free for thoughts to find their way in and around. But I can only think of a measly few. Like when you’re in the shower – tough to multitask here. Or on a bike ride outdoors. Same.
Maybe what we all need to do is find those times where we can sit and indulge ourselves in nothingness. And take a breath and wait to see all the great things that can happen. I’ll try if you will.
Tom Sightings says
Good points. We’ve all heard the cliche about older people who are no longer working, but who can’t believe how busy they are. Doing what? They don’t know! So there’s a lot of truth to what you say. As for me, I do some thinking in the shower as well, and also (believe it or not) in my sleep — during those periods when you’re kind of half asleep/half awake. The rest of my thinking I do in front of the computer. I used to think while I was doing yard work. But not anymore. Now I just think: Why am I doing this stupid yard work?!?
SherylK says
Funny, Tom. I guess you have to love yard work in order not to think about it too much (did that make any sense??)
Lisa Froman says
I had a day like that today….a chance to relax and do nothing and I filled it with web surfing and mindlessness, instead of mindfulness. Truth be told– I don’t feel great when I do this. And as for that restlessness, I have been struggling with that for the last year or so. Haven’t figured it out yet…..,!
SherylK says
Okay, then maybe it’s all a Libra thing, Lisa.
Me too.
Irene S. Levine says
Nice reminder. I’ll put it on my to-do list:-)
SherylK says
Do you have any more room on that list, Irene?
Lou xoxo says
I think we should all learn how to meditate. Just sit still…Nah, I don’t think I could do it…
Lois Alter Mark says
You’re so right. It’s so important to just take a few minutes to sit and be quiet with your thoughts. Way easier said than done!
Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs says
Hard to believe that doing nothing is so darn hard. It is, though. Oh, for the days when we were bored. I’d be thrilled to be bored at least for a few minutes each and every day. Though I wouldn’t call the time boring, I’d call it fulfilling.
Estelle Sobel Erasmus says
I try to slow down at least once a day. With my busy life it’s hard but completely necessary.
Cathy Chester says
Powering down is big on my list this summer because nature empowers me. I try to go to the beach or take a walk to get away from it all. It’s a necessity. And, of course when I need to, I do nap.
Carol Cassara says
I agree. I think we are very overloaded with purpose and mission and making a difference…we forget to make a difference to ourselves by just breathing in…and out.
Kerry Dexter says
Perhaps different words — or different stories to tell ourselves — could be ways to approach this. Rather than doing nothing it is doing something: making, as you point out space in which dreams and insights to surface. and space to take notice of and appreciate them.