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Long-distance hikers prioritize covering miles, but they recognize the importance of incorporating occasional "zero" days into their journey. These breaks allow them to rest their bodies and recover from the demanding task of hiking 20 to 30 miles daily. Zero days are not included in their reflections when assessing the duration of their trek.
I unexpectedly found myself with a gifted zero day— a day unexpectedly freed up. Naturally, my initial impulse was to fill it with to-do lists, phone calls to friends, or advancing gardening projects. However, I pondered whether truly embracing this gift meant engaging in unproductive activities or doing nothing at all. I reached out to a local retreat center and inquired about spending the day there. The reassuring voice on the other end affirmed that it was indeed the perfect setting for a zero day. I dressed in my most comfortable attire, prepared a delicious lunch, and selected a book on the spiritual journey. As I made my way there, I intentionally silenced the radio.
In a culture fixated on productivity and the incessant question "what do you do?", opting for a solo zero day feels somewhat counter-cultural, perhaps even revolutionary. How do we resist the relentless allure of performance, which often equates productivity with worthiness? I pondered whether Thoreau grappled with this dilemma when he wrote, "When it is time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived."
For some, embracing a zero day can be intimidating, given our addiction to stimulation and fast-paced living. Naturally, resistance emerged within me as well. I inhabit a world that whispers falsehoods of accomplishment into my ears.
Nature acts as a balm. It possesses an incredible ability to calm my mind, much like soothing a tantrum-prone toddler. Utilizing my Merlin App to connect with local birds, I walked the labyrinth, wandered along the nature trail, and immersed myself in journaling and took in Richard Rohr's words:“It’s a gift to joyfully recognize and accept our own smallness and ordinariness. Then you are free with nothing to live up to, nothing to prove, and nothing to protect."
After just a few hours surrounded by the Source, I woke up to the present moment. Here's what I uncovered: Every aspect belongs—the soft, the brittle, the hard, the discarded, the broken. Nature revealed the pure joy in birdsong, the comforting melody of the breeze. However, what struck me most profoundly was the realization that I must have been holding my breath. Throughout my four-hour zero day, my breathing naturally elongated, reaching the depth of my entire body, releasing pent-up tension and stress. Well, done - a wise decision to pause. I am proud of myself today.
When presented with a day of ease, stand firm and resist the seductive call of busyness. We are human beings, not human doings. Embrace the zero day as an act of defiance.
This is a beautiful and, for me, timely reminder of the profound benefits of doing "nothing." As I approach a career change specifically curated to allow for more down time, this concept will be an important one to keep in mind, lest I default to filling all of my newfound empty spaces with to-do lists. Thank you!