There is a lovely book by the Italian Nuccio Ordine called "The Usefulness of the Useless" that you would enjoy.
The leisure activities that are filled from a self-generated interest in the world, in community, in curiosity, that is what is restorative, com-forting, that strengthen our inner sanctum, that nourish our souls. I aim to re-create the leisure reading of yesterday by carrying a book with me, ideally from the Insel Verlag of course, reading a few pages instead of pulling out my glass-case of shallow entertainment (i.e my phone)
You're point about being disconnected with quiet places really resonated with me. I've always been a city gal, and a person of faith whilst having a strong aversion to quiet/nature-ladden places. I always felt there was a sorrowfulness/bitter-sweet vibe with nature which I would prefer to avoid.
Whilst my faith has generally supported reflection and reflection in nature, I had reduced this as an exercise of gratitude ('Look how beautiful nature is' etc.); but linking this as a direct reason for a disconnect with God, and the connection, space and imagination which comes with the quiet of the countryside/smaller places has made me reconsider how I engage with God in my day-to-day and question the sorrowfulness. I think I might try and face my aversion for the more nature-filled places soon :)
This touches on a number of familiar themes such as the “always on” culture, the fact that we’re spoiled for choice and almost never bored and the tendency to outsource our entertainment to the point where we’ve lost all agency.
However, what struck me the most is the parallel to the ancient, or at least old, notion of leisure. It’s disheartening to see that our busy lives and addiction to comfort has taken us down a path where our entertainment has become another passive drug.
Choosing to spend our time with purpose and towards a destination of our choosing is paramount - if we are to get anywhere.
Personally I’ve tried to do this, but I’ve found the addiction to mindless entertainment hard to break. But it does get better with time and consistency.
Unconsciously, it's a post I was waiting to read somewhere. How difficult is it to escape from today's "entertainment," right? Today I read a phrase that said the secret to life is "wasting time" on things you enjoy. When is there time to "waste time" in a 9-to-5 job, where you wake up, go to work, come back, and get ready for the next day? Leisure today, I think I understand it from what's happening, is a moment where you can do something that doesn't require your full attention, and your mind thinks it's "resting." Watching a movie, a game, TikTok, or Instagram is something you apparently enjoy while you could be doing something else. Your mind can do that "task" without thinking about it, without expending more energy, but in reality, for me, it's draining you. I've been with my partner for 5 years, and for 5 years now, I don't understand, or can't comprehend, the way he relaxes. It's completely relaxing. He throws himself on the couch or in bed, doing absolutely nothing, almost staring at the ceiling. Sometimes he reads, sometimes he watches soccer videos, sometimes he rests, but he doesn't do anything. My way of resting, of having leisure time, of relaxing, is watching a movie, writing, drawing, reading. My "doing nothing" is doing something that allows me to connect with my inner self. My boyfriend's inner self is fully connecting or resting his mind and his thoughts. Completely influenced by Aldos Huxley and his book "Brave New World", my favorite, the current way of "entertainment" prepares us not to think, to be all absorbed in the same thing, and to believe that we are doing it of our own free will, unlike leisure as you name in the article, it should connect more with the person, their head, their thoughts, the ability to interconnect things, to wonder, to internally debate thoughts and achieve self-discovery, I think, that allows them to "waste time" in what they really like. I still have the ideas half in draft, I was thinking of writing something of this, in the next posts. Greetings. A pleasure to read you. New follower.
One note: the most underrated exercise I practice is throwing myself on the couch and do nothing but stare at the ceiling for 30 minutes; maybe your partner is on to something…
I really enjoyed reading your essay. You do not plagiarize the authors, you are strongly inspired by them. They live on in this world through your writing.
Thanks for this insightful piece and for bringing Eliade to my awareness. What do you feel like are the key things we can do at the individual level to regain personal sovereignty over leisure time? What boundaries do we have to place against modern work, if that is even compatible and possible?
Great question/reflection. I try to join and CREATE as many events/activities as possible that are in harmony with this philosophy; and make a deliberate effort to thus build a community with people that share similar values…
Such a well written article and I am so very grateful for your work. Thank you As I sit here on this early morning with the rain falling down outside my windows, I am realizing more every day how precious it is to just ‘be’ in my mind and enjoy the silence. Your article inspired me to greater heights today.
I loved this. I am going to subscribe.
There is a lovely book by the Italian Nuccio Ordine called "The Usefulness of the Useless" that you would enjoy.
The leisure activities that are filled from a self-generated interest in the world, in community, in curiosity, that is what is restorative, com-forting, that strengthen our inner sanctum, that nourish our souls. I aim to re-create the leisure reading of yesterday by carrying a book with me, ideally from the Insel Verlag of course, reading a few pages instead of pulling out my glass-case of shallow entertainment (i.e my phone)
have a great day!
Thank you! Ordering it ASAP
This was such a nice reflection.
You're point about being disconnected with quiet places really resonated with me. I've always been a city gal, and a person of faith whilst having a strong aversion to quiet/nature-ladden places. I always felt there was a sorrowfulness/bitter-sweet vibe with nature which I would prefer to avoid.
Whilst my faith has generally supported reflection and reflection in nature, I had reduced this as an exercise of gratitude ('Look how beautiful nature is' etc.); but linking this as a direct reason for a disconnect with God, and the connection, space and imagination which comes with the quiet of the countryside/smaller places has made me reconsider how I engage with God in my day-to-day and question the sorrowfulness. I think I might try and face my aversion for the more nature-filled places soon :)
I really enjoyed reading this.
Naval’s quote—“Creativity starts with an empty calendar”—resonated with me. I couldn’t agree more.
In one of my recent essays (https://albertogalca.substack.com/p/an-empty-calendar), I wrote:
"Every good thing in life comes from having the time to do what you truly want."
This touches on a number of familiar themes such as the “always on” culture, the fact that we’re spoiled for choice and almost never bored and the tendency to outsource our entertainment to the point where we’ve lost all agency.
However, what struck me the most is the parallel to the ancient, or at least old, notion of leisure. It’s disheartening to see that our busy lives and addiction to comfort has taken us down a path where our entertainment has become another passive drug.
Choosing to spend our time with purpose and towards a destination of our choosing is paramount - if we are to get anywhere.
Personally I’ve tried to do this, but I’ve found the addiction to mindless entertainment hard to break. But it does get better with time and consistency.
Thank you for this piece!
Unconsciously, it's a post I was waiting to read somewhere. How difficult is it to escape from today's "entertainment," right? Today I read a phrase that said the secret to life is "wasting time" on things you enjoy. When is there time to "waste time" in a 9-to-5 job, where you wake up, go to work, come back, and get ready for the next day? Leisure today, I think I understand it from what's happening, is a moment where you can do something that doesn't require your full attention, and your mind thinks it's "resting." Watching a movie, a game, TikTok, or Instagram is something you apparently enjoy while you could be doing something else. Your mind can do that "task" without thinking about it, without expending more energy, but in reality, for me, it's draining you. I've been with my partner for 5 years, and for 5 years now, I don't understand, or can't comprehend, the way he relaxes. It's completely relaxing. He throws himself on the couch or in bed, doing absolutely nothing, almost staring at the ceiling. Sometimes he reads, sometimes he watches soccer videos, sometimes he rests, but he doesn't do anything. My way of resting, of having leisure time, of relaxing, is watching a movie, writing, drawing, reading. My "doing nothing" is doing something that allows me to connect with my inner self. My boyfriend's inner self is fully connecting or resting his mind and his thoughts. Completely influenced by Aldos Huxley and his book "Brave New World", my favorite, the current way of "entertainment" prepares us not to think, to be all absorbed in the same thing, and to believe that we are doing it of our own free will, unlike leisure as you name in the article, it should connect more with the person, their head, their thoughts, the ability to interconnect things, to wonder, to internally debate thoughts and achieve self-discovery, I think, that allows them to "waste time" in what they really like. I still have the ideas half in draft, I was thinking of writing something of this, in the next posts. Greetings. A pleasure to read you. New follower.
Welcome! You’re very kind :)
One note: the most underrated exercise I practice is throwing myself on the couch and do nothing but stare at the ceiling for 30 minutes; maybe your partner is on to something…
If this is plagiarising then we may as well stop writing all together. A great piece and a nice nudge for me to cut back on my time spent gaming.
Such a good read, thank you for sharing this!
I really enjoyed reading your essay. You do not plagiarize the authors, you are strongly inspired by them. They live on in this world through your writing.
Good insight 😌 Can i translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you?
Go for it!
Such a great article! Thank you for this piece. Left me with a lot of thoughts.
I recommend Bertrand Russell's essay "In Praise of Idelness" if you like this post.
Thank you :)
Thanks for this insightful piece and for bringing Eliade to my awareness. What do you feel like are the key things we can do at the individual level to regain personal sovereignty over leisure time? What boundaries do we have to place against modern work, if that is even compatible and possible?
Great question/reflection. I try to join and CREATE as many events/activities as possible that are in harmony with this philosophy; and make a deliberate effort to thus build a community with people that share similar values…
Such a well written article and I am so very grateful for your work. Thank you As I sit here on this early morning with the rain falling down outside my windows, I am realizing more every day how precious it is to just ‘be’ in my mind and enjoy the silence. Your article inspired me to greater heights today.
Much appreciated
Lovely! Very glad to hear
Great article. Deep Leisure is a fantastic concept.