I propose that periods of aimless idle behavior or flânerie, are necessary for a life of purpose.
flâ·ne·rieˌflän(ə)ˈrē/noun
We cannot go full steam forever. We cannot endlessly produce with joy without time to slow and notice and absorb from our surroundings. We cannot consistently serve others without periods of being nourished ourselves.
I am a fan of regular, luscious bouts of purposeful aimless idle behavior.
Words make me happy and I first came across the word flânerie several years ago and tucked it into the little purple notebook I keep in my bag at all times. Very briefly, it was used to describe certain men in 19th century France, in particular, who resisted “the social controls of modern industry,” ignored the rush hour, and meandered through the streets noticing, reflecting, observing.
Some of us, in our own ways, are trying to push back against the rush hour, are we not?
I need some weekends to read new books or lay on my bed and watch Netflix, guilt-free. To go for long walks and hang out with family without an agenda or to-do list. To sit and chat and discuss ideas deeply and at leisure.
When I travel I want as few constraints as possible. I want to wander, people watch, stop where it suits my fancy. Take an unexpected turn. Wake up curious and allow the day to simply unfold.
I want space in my life to take my time, to opt out of rushing. To meander and putter and occasionally jump in the car and drive somewhere for a mini adventure. To play it by ear.
When we go off script for a bit, loosen our grip on our schedules and tightly managed lives, we experience many benefits.
We recharge
Downtime and self-care are necessary. When we take mini breaks or give ourselves permission to relax and just be for a while, we get refueled for the journey. We cannot pour out if we don’t also pour in. We recharge when we make space for our souls to rest.
We tune into what our minds, bodies, and spirits have been speaking to us
We are often so busy running that we fail to hear the messages that our bodies, minds, and spirits are speaking to us. Sometimes screaming to us. In our efforts to keep it all together, be super productive, or serve everyone else we disregard our true needs and feelings. They always find a way to the surface eventually. We need to learn to listen if we are to live with purpose, health, and joy.
A little idle wandering promotes creativity and problem solving
How many times have you stepped back from the problem at hand to jump into the shower or get out for a walk and were hit with a new idea, a creative approach, the very answer you were seeking? Spending time in a book or watching a movie has often helped me see the world through a different lens. There have been many times where a turn of a phrase or the learning curve of a fictional character provided an answer I was seeking or profoundly inspired and encouraged me.
We are reminded that our value does not lie solely in our productivity
We matter just because. Our ability to perfectly perform, to keep all the balls up in the air at all times cannot determine our absolute worth. We have a right to rest. We have a right to be and take up space in the world even when we are not busy, doing, rushing, satisfying the needs of another.
Practicing the art of flânerie might actually boost our productivity when we are working
Many companies are realizing that longer work hours inhibit productivity. Giving people a shorter workday so they can live healthier lives, lives that include naps and leisure, often greatly increases productivity and quality of work. It can help us engage with increased focus in deep and meaningful work.
So what do you think? Can you see how a little more aimless idle behavior or “flânerie” might just help you live a purposeful life?
Krista xo
To explore this idea further you might appreciate Thrive or Rest (affiliate links).
All the yeses!!
🙂
I was just thinking this is a post Aimee would like 🙂
Sure, we all need time to be idle, to lollygag, to meander, to lay on our backs in the grass and watch the clouds floating by, to go on a walk or a drive with no particular destination in mind…..a mini adventure with no timetables or maps with checkpoints, to spend an afternoon laying in a hammock watching the sunlight and breeze and leaves make shifting, dancing, mesmerizing patterns overhead, to get lost in a book or music……we all need a little aimless, nonproductive, idle time. And, from experience, I can emphatically say that I am more productive when I have regular bouts of idleness to allow my batteries to recharge.
Love the word lollygag:)
I love that word and the idea.
🙂
I love that you just described my “vacation”. It’s been hectic with trying to see all of our families but intentional flanêrie has helped. Love this!!
Nice. I know some people don’t agree with my style of vacation but I think I’d rather stay home than feel I have to rush, be on a tight schedule, hit all the tourist stops:0
That’s a great word. I also like the word ‘pootle’ (to move or travel in a leisurely manner), I must remember to use it more! Your post reminds us that we should not just be valued for our productivity or celebrated for our busyness and that it’s ok (beneficial in fact) to be just chillin’. Great article!
Thanks Kim. Have never heard the word “pootle” before:)
Krista, thank you for this reminder of the importance of slowing down and doing nothing. I also love the expression, ‘La dolce far niente,’ or ‘the sweetness of doing nothing.’ It often feels like a guilty indulgence, but doing nothing is essential for our self-care, resulting in not only better productivity but creativity.
Love that expression, Katia! Thanks for sharing:)
I practice flanerie in my life because of my toddler, I should probably carry it over more with my older children…cheers to a little idling here and there.
Toddlers are amazing examples of this!
What you say is so true!
I would prefer to avoid being thought of as creative. I liken it to anything to do with the visual arts and as a person who was encouraged to pursue that and writing, it is a huge blow to the ego, admittedly and it just adds bitterness and anger. I know to avoid, but I’m selfish and I want to think and do as I find. If I were a better person, I would still rather shun creativity and do something that I find more worthy of my time.
Thank you Krista, and bravo for putting into words what my body urges to do naturally. No such thing as doing nothing.
It’s ironic that all my life I’ve resisted the fast-paced life that so many others espoused, and always felt guilt and shame that I wasn’t driven to the kind of achievement and busy-ness that others were. And, it many ways, it has impacted my life in negative ways. But, now I see others are re-thinking their lives of hustle, and I feel a little vindicated, although not completely. Balance is of course, key.
How lovely to know there is a word for it – Flânerie. Now I can say I’m not just being lazy, I’m practicing flânerie!
Thank you!
Hi Terry, like you I’ve never been into hustle and appreciate so many voices these days talking about choosing a slower path. It sure is a great word, isn’t it?!