👋 What’s good, dumdums?

I hope your holiday was filled with joy, laughter, and perhaps a few delightfully dumb moments. As we find ourselves on the day after Christmas, let's explore the radical idea of embracing "nothingness"—a concept that, paradoxically, can lead to profound creativity and innovation.

The Power of Doing Nothing

In our hyper-productive society, the notion of doing nothing often carries a negative connotation. However, as we've discussed in previous newsletters, embracing emptiness can be a catalyst for creativity. This idea aligns with the Japanese concept of "Ma" (間), which emphasizes the importance of negative space in art and life. By allowing ourselves moments of inactivity, we create room for new ideas to emerge.

Dumbify your day:

The Unplanning Challenge

Today, I challenge you to "unplan" your day. Resist the urge to fill every moment with activity. Instead, allow yourself to experience the luxury of free time. This doesn’t mean being idle for idleness's sake but creating intentional space for reflection and spontaneous inspiration.

1. Clear Your Schedule: Identify any non-essential tasks planned for today and set them aside.

2. Embrace Spontaneity: Allow yourself to engage in activities that bring joy without a specific goal in mind.

3. Be Weird: Do something ridiculous and fun—build something pointless, sing badly, or just stare at your cat and wonder what they’re thinking.

4. Reflect: Use this unstructured time to ponder new ideas or simply enjoy the present moment.

Real World Stories of Unplanned Inspiration

⚡️ J.K. Rowling’s Café Scribbles
In the 1990s, J.K. Rowling was a single mom with little money and no concrete plan for her future. One unplanned afternoon in an Edinburgh café, she started scribbling the story of a boy wizard on napkins. That day, she wasn’t trying to write a bestseller—just clearing her head. Those idle moments led to the creation of Harry Potter, proving the magic of letting ideas flow naturally.

🎤 Bill Murray’s Spontaneous Karaoke Night
Bill Murray is famous for his offbeat, unplanned adventures, but one stands out: while walking through a New York City bar, he spontaneously joined a karaoke party with strangers. No cameras, no agenda—just pure fun. His unplanned night became legendary and reminds us that unexpected joy often comes when we go off-script.

🎵 Beethoven’s Outdoor Wandering
Ludwig van Beethoven loved his daily walks, often with no destination or purpose. These unstructured wanderings in nature inspired many of his greatest works, including parts of his Pastoral Symphony. In Beethoven’s case, doing “nothing” outdoors led to some of the most iconic music ever written.

The Unplanning Toolkit:

✓ Prioritize Downtime: Recognize the value of rest and unstructured time in fostering creativity.

✓ Practice Mindfulness: Engage in activities that promote presence and awareness, such as meditation or leisurely walks.

✓ Limit Distractions: Create an environment that allows for uninterrupted reflection.

Today's Dumb Word of the Day is Niksen (pronounced NIK-sen), a Dutch term that literally means "doing nothing." It's not about procrastinating or being lazy; it’s the deliberate act of idling to recharge your mental and creative batteries. Think of it as unstructured time with zero agenda—just like the day after Christmas should be.

So, go ahead: sit by the window, stare into space, and let Niksen do its thing.

Thanks for embracing the “Art of Doing Nothing” with me today!

SHARE YOUR UNPLANNING STORIES: Reply to this email with your best unplanned moments. The best story wins an “Unplanning Calendar” AND a signed copy of my book, "Dumbify"!

As we transition from the holiday festivities, let's embrace the art of doing nothing and allow ourselves the freedom to explore the uncharted territories of our minds. Who knows? Your next big, brilliantly dumb idea might emerge from the quiet moments of unplanning.

Stay brilliantly unplanned,
David

P.S. Know someone who needs permission to unplan their day? Forward this email—sometimes the best plan is to unplan.