by Antonia Butler
I would highly recommend this book to anyone – How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell. It was recommended to me by someone at Taylor Street Farm while we were weeding last spring, and I finally got to reading it this summer, under unusual circumstances, I would say: While floating down the Kobuk river in the Alaskan Arctic circle. I was on a back-country rafting trip with my partner and 2 other friends. It was a great setting to start this book, since after chores were taken care of, we did a whole lot of “nothing” to fill the 23 hours of daylight: Chatting, snoozing, observing the river go by, spotting wildlife, watching the mountains move away while moving ‘around’ us (as the river wound around bends). There was no social media/ streaming/ internet/news to distract us due to the complete lack of reception. Just a whole lot of time to take in the world and my fellow-travellers.
I find it easier to return to being intentional with my attention in natural settings, and so have sought to go back into nature more often, specifically to find that re-centering.
This was a perfect setting to start practicing doing nothing and ‘resisting the attention economy’ because those were naturally part of our days. The book complimented the practice of observing my surroundings intentionally and slowly, and connecting more deeply with other people. I haven’t finished yet, but my main takeaways so far from this book are: The why and how to be intentional with your attention, and that ‘doing nothing’ is an important precursor to doing something more meaningful and thoughtful.
It is certainly a practice that takes some effort! I find it easier to return to being intentional with my attention in natural settings, and so have sought to go back into nature more often, specifically to find that re-centering. I’m lucky enough to live in a place with lots of nature nearby – a trip to the ocean, or backpacking in a national forest, or even just going to a city park or nearby creek: trees, water, birds remind me what a special experience life is, and to be intentional about what I give attention to.
Connect with Antonia on LinkedIn.
About Antonia
Antonia grew up on a smallholding in rural Co. Carlow. Aged 6, when visiting her Canadian grandparents in Quebec City, Antonia announced that when she grew up she would move to Canada. True to her word, just before her 18th birthday she landed in Montreal to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. In addition to graduating with honours, she helped establish a composting system for the university, after overcoming her astonishment that there wasn’t already one in place. As a creative soul, she balances the precise science of engineering in her job as a manager in a large electric car company in California with beautiful creative projects from hand-made cards to cakes baked with fruit from trees in her neighbourhood. She also volunteers at Garden To Table, a wonderful community garden where people learn about growing food, and sharing. Antonia says it reminds her of home. When she is home, she enjoys chopping wood because it combines a whole-body strength workout with productive work.
We will be “doing nothing” – practising breathing, stillness and other gentle activities, in Gozo, Malta at our Zen Garden Retreat from February 12-15 and March 19-22. Expect meaningful conversations with astraea founders Tom and Pam, along with a delicious, fresh Mediterranean menu. Find out more here.
Comments