Allow nothing
practice when you’re pulled to add more
In a world that tells us to do more, buy more, try more, add more, say more, be more, and find more time for it all, it’s a revolutionary act to allow nothing.
To choose to not do, not buy, and not try so hard. To decide to not add more or say more.
To be where we are. Especially when we don’t like what we see, when we feel uncomfortable, when things are wobbly and itchy and make us worry.
This is when we often look out for the more… to fill things up, avoid the yuck, numb the ache, distract from the feelings we find in the nothing.
Nothing can feel scary. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
We can make friends with nothing.
Try this:
Welcome nothing.
Once a day, maybe as you first wake up, make a promise: I allow nothing or a request: Please help me allow nothing.
Notice and pause.
When you observe yourself reaching for something else (distraction or filling-up), touch your heart, take a breath, and be in one small moment of nothing before you continue.
Simple, small, and slow. Any morsel of nothing is beautiful and enough.
Love, Melissa
Related posts: Invite less; Slow is space; Do this now!; Embrace blur
Additional Resources:
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell
Nothing: John Cage and 4’33” by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Chris Raschka
All About Nothing by Elizabeth Rusch and Elizabeth Goss
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna
The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero by Robert Kaplan
Button Snail Hum is a pollination project of Noticing Matters.
Learn more and connect with me: melissaabutler.com | melissa@melissaabutler.com
