Rest as Resistance: the power of taking time for napping

Sometimes the BIG learning from a session is NOT what you might expect it to be.

Take the Power of Imagination for Change panel session at Content Rising recently. Panellist Afreen Saulat is a Digital Anthropologist and spoke a bit about the pluses, minuses and potential of AI.

 (As someone who has worked with Google, Meta and Friends of the Earth, Afreen knows the technical stuff but she wants technology to be more equitable, accessible and market friendly for diverse groups of people globally).

But it’s not the stuff about AI that stuck most in my memory.

Imagination Requires 'Courage and Rest'...

Afreen – founder of @100kicks research and strategy studio – said two of the most important things for using the power of imagination were COURAGE and REST. And it was the latter word that stood out.

Setting aside time to rest.

To dream.

To think.

Creating space for imagination to happen.

How many organisations, groups or individuals build that into their ‘schedule’ or working practices?

I’m guessing not many.

Love this idea of the POWER of rest and it being a REQUIREMENT for imagination.

 How about you?

QUESTIONS (to discuss in your organisation or team):

Q. When was the last time YOU set aside time to rest, giving your brain time to think and space to imagine?

Q. When WILL you set aside time to rest and imagine?

 RESOURCES (to check out):

. The Nap Ministry movement, set up by founder Tricia Hersey

. Book: ‘Rest is Resistance – A Manifesto’ by Tricia Hersey.

. Civic Square

. Social Practice Project: Department of Dreams

. Afreen’s design projects at 100kicks to see how digital and AI can help create solutions.

Next time: Anthony Pearce and an urban regeneration project.